The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-11-30

BY vote of the school committee, the
proposition TO establish a special school,
where anaemic children. those predis-
posed to tuberculosis and other diseases.
may receive proper treatment, in the old
Meeting street school building. was re-
ferred to the executive committee last
evening.
Mr. Hogan OF the Third ward moved
that the school be placed under the care
and direction OF the committee on hy-
giene. which should give that committee
the right TO appoint the teachers for
the school
BY resolution presented with the re-
port, which was submitted by Chairman
Rueckert of the executive committee,
sum not to exceed $725 is TO be expended
annually for the maintenance of the
school. If this school proves a, success,
others will be opened. IL not, II Will be
closed after a fair trial.
II was stated on the floor that the al
terations proposed are to be made by the
committee on city property. These VIII
call for the tearing out OF one partition
and the placing OF window sashes In one
side of the building, so that the room
TO be occupied will be flooded with sun
light, and that there may be an abund-
ance of fresh air.
The report says I'm part:
''lt has been repeatedly pointed out
that children of school age are peculiarly
susceptible TO certain forms of pulmonary
complaints. Thus. while In the first
years of life the ordinary contagious dis
eases prevail. from the sixth year and
upward pulmonary diseases. including
tuberculosis, begin TO occupy an ever
increasing prominence :, among school
children, and as the pupil grows becomes
"A danger that must be looked out for end
guarded against.
''If discovered in time and properly
treated disease can be prevented, and the
child, IL disposed TO or already affected
by !t can be cured and made strong and
healthy. Tubs far we have endeavored
to embody and carry out In our school
I.stfII "a Ifv,ers LOT
ideas concerning sanitation. and we be-
lieve that on account OF this the standard
OF health and physical welfare is quite
5However, there must be and there
probably are among the many thousands
OF school children some cases where dis
ease is lurking or has already gained
foothold cases OF a nature that hardly
warrant the sending of the child To a hos
pital or sanatoftum, and thus barring IL
from all educational privileges. but such
as would readily yield TO properly pre-
scribed treatment.
''If children OF this class could be
segr rated, givor the regular s''.Jio, or
II . school and at the sarle time fresh
air. sunshine, exc else oud medical super
vision. they would be rrnetheael and
h~rdened. made physIrally couEC, whilc
thcit educ tion would lot theroy loo
r,tarded. The cxccIt've committee has
given this question linton ard con-
sideratlon and has now decided TO recon-
mend to the school committee the es
tablishinent of a school embodying these
IDEAS.
we realize thai the plan prop )sc1 il
uoiS and rxleripC ntal, but one, nevcrthe-
less, that has the Endorsement of promi-
nent physicians and the backing OF ex-
perts such as DR.. Gardner T. Swarts of
the state board OF health. Or. Jay Per
klns, state medical examiner, DR.. Charles
V. Chapin. superintendent of health for
the city OF Provdence. DR.. Charles f.
Hawkes., DR.. Ellen A. Stone and DR..
Mary s. Packard.
''The physicians interested in the plan
have volunteered their services for vista
tion and inspection OF the school and also
the necessary food supply The regularly
prescribed studies OF tho public schoo
course are 20 be taught and for this pur'
pose teacher or teachers peculiarly fit
ted tor this kind OF work will have TO b,
selected and appointed the superin'
tel idcnt. Necessarily the school will bs
ungradcd. and we therefore recommend
that the compensation OF the teacher OF
teachers therein be that OF teachers OF
~ graded rooms. 60 be fixed and deter
mined by the executive committee. The
admission 10 this school To bc under rules
] and regulations 10 be adopted by the
4 executive comnittee, who should have
chs rye and supervision OF tho school.
The cost OF fitting the school building
| for the purpose ln view will be compare
lively slight and the required changes
will no doubt be m de by the committee
on city property upon our request. The
expense OF maintaining such a school Will
not be great. while the Dement'S that VIII
accrue not only TO the pupils assigned
10 such a school. but also the pupils
and teachers of the schools from which
they arc taken. will be at once recognized
and appreciated.