The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-01-31
Or. Charles Y. Chapin Delivered
an Address in Manning Hall
WORK PROGRESSING FAVORABLY
The Providence Public Educational Society
Learned Much About tho Medical Ia
quIr and PrscaulIon Being Praetlcst

In Manning hall. Brown university last
evening. the Providence Public Educa-
tional association met to listen to an en-
tightening address by Or. Charles V.
Chaplin. superintendent Of health, upon
the medical inspection and precaution in
the city schools Lewis III, Meader. prin-
cipsl of the Academy Avenue Grammar
school. gave an interesting report upon
the results of such inspection and precau-
ton as exemplifed at his own school.
After the society had transacted its rou-
tine business Or. Chaplin was introduced.
and spoke as follows:
Medical inspection OF schools was first
attempted in Boston in 1894 and has since
been adopted in New York. Chicago Phil
adelphia, Baltimore and a number of
other cities. The prime object for which
this inspection was established was TO
prevent the spread Of the more import
ant contagious diseases such as scarlet
fever and diphtheria- II was hoped that
many mild and unrecognized cases OF
these diseases would be discovered and
outbreaks nipped in the bud. A certain
amount OF good along this line has been
accomplished. but II has developed that
been taken up with other matters.
I'm the first place, large part of the
inspectors time is devoted TO the erad-
cation OF what Is usually reckoned the
minor infections, such as the contagious
skin diseases itch. ringworm and impe-
tigo. parasites OF the head. etc. In New
York a great deal of attention has been
devoted 10 preventing the spread OF
trachoma. a conta gious eve disease.
\, taI t. l-
70 blindness. Then again. the inspectors
attention is frequently directed 10 defects.
and much good is accomplished by singing
out these cases and seeing that they are
provided with proper glasses
Defects Of hearing are frequently
found which can be benefited by treat
ment. Adenoid growths constitute an
other disease condition which leads TO
deafness, mouth breathing and various
disorders which interfere with school
work. Then again. the inspectors are con-
stanty meeting with disease conditions.
which. though not contagious or a him
dranoe 10 school work. are a more or less
serious matter to the child concerned.
vast amount OF good is accomplished
by calling parents attention TO these neg
lected cases. In many cities the inspec-
tors have been able 10 accomplish much,
by suggesting improvements as 10 heat
ing, ventilation, the care of children's
clothing. books. pencils etc. and 10 many
other matters connected with school man
agement.
I'm nearly every city daily visit TO
each school Is provided for This has
it's advantages and Disadvantages. Some
OF the latter are that IL is difficult TO
find enough good physicians. and that II
costs a great deal OF money. II was
for the latter reason that we were obliged
in Providence to adopt a different ex-
pedient. We had only 5000 per annum
to spend and could employ only two ply
scians. OF course, daily visits TO the
schools are out OF the question. The plan
adopted is this: First, the inspectors visit
the schools In rotation. making the rounds
in about two months: second IL any case
requires Immediate attention notice Is sent
by the teacher and the child is at once
visited, either at school or at Its home:
third, one OF the inspectors Is at the city
hall every school day ready to inspect
children who may he sent by the teachers.
I'VE began our inspection last May and
since that time about 300 children have
been examined by the inspectors The
character Of the affections found. as we'll
as their number, does not differ greatly
from the experiences OF other cities. The
result OF the first two months inspection
was as follows Children examined at
school III: children examined at home,
-1ss. children examined at city hall, l79.
diphtheria 3: scarlet fever, 8: German
measles. q: enlarged tonsils, IS: adenoids.
1872: ear troubles. 81; petty eye troubles,
~: imperfect vision. lso: skin diseases, 1873:
spinal trouble, 10; paralysis. 5; mentally
deficient. %.