Evening star., 1902-01-04
lNSPEcTIoNlN THEScHooLS
HOMEOPATHIC PHYSICIANS EXPRESS
THEIR VIEWS OF PROPOSITION.
Favor System. but Suggest That Ap-
pointments BE Left in Hands
of school Board.

A committee representing the. homeo-
pathic physicians of the District called on
the District Commissioners this morning
and at a board meeting held at IL o'clock
presented their views to the municipal au-
thorities on the subject of the proposed
system of medical inspection in the public
schools. Among the homeopathic physi-
clans who called were Drs. j. B. Gregg
Custis Franklin A. Gardner, Thomas L.
Macdonald, F. A Swartwout. z. B. Bah
bitt and Lyman B. Swormstedt.
DR.. Custis was the first to speak He
stated that the doctors of the school OF
homeopathy were decidedly and unani-
mously in favor of the proposed inspection.
He said the merits and advantages of
such system heed not be dwelt upon.
The homeopathists were in favor. how
ever, of leaving the appointment of the
proposed ten inspectors in the hands of
the board of education. The estimate as
submitted by the Commissioners to Con-
gress provides that the appointments shall
be so made, but at a hearing granted men,
bers of the Medical Society of the District
of Columbia several weeks ago the MEM
bers of the alopathic fraternity recon-
mended that the Commissioners change
their note accompanying the estimates. SO
that the appointments might be placed un-
der the health officer of the District
Competitive Examination.
The members of the Medical Society also
suggested that the appointments be made
after competitive examination. Dr. Gus
tbs said the homeopaths would like to urge
that such an examination be net held. He
|" said that during the past five years the
District authorities had compelled each
physician who desired to obtain license
for practice in the District to pass Sc
we're examination. conducted by the most
eminent men In the profession. The eXarni-
nation was not needed for the selection. of
good men for the work.
DR.. Gardner approved all that had been
stated by DR.. Custis In regard to the
competitive examination he said that If
men fresh from college would undoubtedly,
| make the best mark in technical knowl-.
edge. Yet, he declared, these young men
would not be the ones that should be ap-
pointed. The medical inspectors for the
schools should be men who have practiced
for at least a period of five years, and have
met and dealt with all classes of disease.
He declared 1t required practice to properly
diagnose a disease, and that this feature,
of the work would be the most important
|. in the schools.
Others Coincide.
The other physicians present also spoke
briefly, their views coinciding with those
of Drs. Custis and Gardner. The society
desires that the Commissioners shall let
their estimate remain as it is, so that the
appointment of the inspectors will be in
the hands of the board of education. They
say that the board is charged with the care
of the schools and the school children, and
1T was the board of education which rec
commended the system and worked it up.
and that the appointment and direction of
the inspecting physicians should be with
the board
Commissioner Macfarland stated at the
close of the hearing that due consideration
would be given to all that was said.