The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-02-26
Convention Delegates
Tell of Eye and Ear
Diseases in Pub
lie Schools.
Value of Good Light and
Proper Acoustics I'M
pressed on the
Teachers.

That an alarming increase in ocular
and suricular defects among the pupils
Of the public schools within the past
few years demanded a special depart
Inent composed Of eminent medical au-
thorites, was the statement OF two e
the principal speakers at the second
session Of the National Education 60
ciety. ct the Metropolitan NJ L. Church,
this morning.
Luther Hasley Gulick. director OF
physical training for the schools OF
New York city, and Thomas F. EarriIsg-
tor. who holds a similar position in
FostOn, both took the stand in favor OF
department of hygiene. 10 act ia con
junction with Uh5 Board OF Education
for the benefit OF the pupil. They de-
ciared that unless such department
vas established the children of this
country could never rise 10 the highest
educational standard.
At the close Of the addresses W H
Elson, OF Cleveland. Ohio. was elected
10 serve as president Of the society for
the ensuing year. Mr. Elson's election
was unanimous.
Mr.. Gullck was the first speaker to
address the society when IL convened
this morning,
Mr.. GuIick First Speaker.
problem which changed conditions in
school life have created II is a prob
lem which, aIl-absorbing at the present
time, should be given the deepest con
sideration OF this organization
''Of late years there has been a self
evident necessity for a board OF hy-
giene-a department Of medicine-to look
after the physical welfare Of the pupil
a ha la
weIl-being.
cot late years the school life OF the
pupils has become predominant. our
fathers attended their classes about
three months out Of the year; our chill
dren attend school nire and sometimes
ten months
Changed Conditions.
The exercise. the heaIthful. Iife-giv-
ing exercise that was the blessing OF
the child OF the last generation can
no longer be obtained in our large
cities Where our fathers walked sew
erGi miles 10 school our children walk a
few blocks or take the trolley
Thus with the schools Of today tax
ing up practically the entire waking
time OF the bulk Of this country's popu-
lation the question Of proper exercise
and physical development, and the cor
rectton Of physically defective brought
into our schools COnfTonts us
According 10 statistics > per cent
1 Of the American school graduates are
/ crippled in vision. Bad hearing. dis
eases OF the nose and throat, crooked
backs and numerous other troubles may
be seen In the schools OF today. II the
/ figures quoted are correct IL is a ter
Tible arraignment Of the American sys-
TEN Of education.
No Profit for Children.
THE children Of today. troubled by
/ defects of eyesight and hearing are uu-
able to profit by their education.
Forty per cent of the children Of the
United States today arc back in their
| grades. Some one year. some two years.
and some even four and five years. The
| city of New York alone expends over
| 8, ,O00, coo a year for something that iJ
doesn't get
with such problems as these the
| boards Of education are totally un-
I able TO cope. The board of education
may be competent 10 arrange the curri-
/ culum Of a school, but it does not fol-
/ low that they should understand how
/ TO put in an electric wire.
They could not build a school build
Ing, therefore they hire experts 10 do
such work for them The conditions
4 as regards the physical condition ana
Medical Counsel.
Medical counsel should be secured to
explain many things that at present
the boards of education and the teach
| ers do not know. How long should
I a child sit in school? How long should
his study periods be- How long should
his school day be7
These are but some of the problems
Z D 10
4 necessity In every city OF a department
At ne close Of Mr.. GuIck's remarks
a loud and prolonged burst or appidUse
showed the approval which had Followed
his remarks.
Work Too Heavy.
William II. Davidson. superintendent
of the schools at Omaha. Neb., IN com
menting upon the address. declared that
the work IN schools had been mace too
heavy OF late years. and world soon
have TO he lightened-
lie characterized the public as knock
ing az the door Of educational societies
and demanding that certain changes be
Many Of our most excellent changes.
said Mr.. Davidson, have been prOrnUl-
gated BY the public. II viii not be long
before we viii be forced 10 INTRODUCES
this new special department 0f hygiene
for the physical weIl-being of our chill
dren
Necessity of Fairgrounds
A. II. Yoder. superintendent Of schools
at Tacoma, Wash, followed Mr. David
son. declaring that the physical inn
provement OF children attending city
schools depended more on Fairgrounds
than upon the services OF physicians.
Continued on Ninth Page)