Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-11
MEDICAL INSPECTION
SYSTEM TO BE INTRODUCED IN
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Twelve Physicians to Be Appointed by
Commissioners-Meth Of Ex-
animation. -

Commissioner mcfarland will in a short
while take up the matter Of the examine
ton of applicants for appointment under
the provision in the new District appropria-
ton act for twelve medical inspectors in the
schools. For the past two years the physi-
clans Of the city have uregd before the
Commissioners the value of system OF
medical inspection in the public schools as
a means Of preventing the spread Of COM
municable diseases. The Commissioners in
return have urged the matter before Con-
gress. This year their efforts were sue
cessful. They asked for eleven inspectors.
one for each school division: Congress al
lowed twelve inspectors. The recent cpl
demic of children's disease in several Of the
schools no doubt had much to do with the
Fastening Of the legislation desired so much
by the local authorities The provision in
the District act upon the subject is as fol-
lows:
For twelve medical inspectors Of public
schools. four of whom shall be of the col
ored race, at $500 each, $1,000: Provided
that said inspectors shall be appointed by
the Commissioners only after competitive
examination. and shall have had at least
five years experience in the practice of
medicine in the District Of Columbia. and
shall perform their duties under the direc-
ton Of the health officer and according to
rules formulated from time to time by him.
which shall be subject to the approval OF
the board Of education and the Commits
sioners."
- Competitive Contest.
e Mr.. Netherlands idea is to have the can
didates appear before the board of medical
examiners in a competitive contest and to
appoint those physicians who make the
highest average. AS the law provides that
there shall be four colored examiners, their
papers will probably be considered sep
arately, the four standing highest being
successful. These are merely preliminary
plans, however, as the matter has not been
formally considered as yet.
The idea of the medical inspection, as
outlined today by DR.. W. c. Woodward, the
health officer, who will have the task Of
preparing the rules under which the school
physicians will act, subject to the approval
of the school board and the Commissioners,
is to prevent children who are in the early
stages Of a communicable disease sfrom
conveying 1t to the other pupils. Often
times nowadays 1t will not be known that
a child Is threatened with disease until he
or she may be able no longer to attend
school. Meantime the child has been asso"
ciating with playmates and has probably
communicated the disease to them.
Daily Inspections.
The plan Is to have a medical inspector
visit each school every morning to look
OtCI VAc pupuS, dIN III IIlS way utlcCl
any probable disease. II the child seems
to be ailing it will be sent home with
note to the parents stating the probable
character of the trouble and giving advice
as to treatment or the necessity Of calling
in a physician.
There are many poor children in the
schools whose parents are unable to en-
ploy a physician except in most severe
cases. Especially in large families chill
dren may be sent to school without the
probability of sickness being discovered.
At first the work is expected to be very
exacting upon the physicians. Gradually it
is hoped the visits of the physicians and
their work will SO instruct the teachers
that they may be able to single out sus-
picious case before the arrival Of the ex-
amner and thus facilitate his work.
1t is said there many children attend
ing school who are physically unfit for the
eXacticns naturally required of pupils.
Many are defective as to vision, ETC., and
it Is to remedy these matters the sys-
tenn Of inspection is designed Much good
Is expected of the scheme. AS the law
does not become effective before July l
next, and as the services of the physicians
will not be required before the beginning
of the new school year next September,
there is plenty of time in which to con-
duct the competitive examinations for ap-
pointment and to formulate satisfactory
rules for the guidance of the inspectors.