The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-02-20

single pupil working without any of
that enthusiasm and interest in
spired By numbers and finding no
opportunity for that measurement of
power with others SO essential to a
testing of ability.
The condition thus created has led i,
in many cases, to the combination of
schools. The reason given for the
consolidation of schools under these
circumstances, are chat the expense
OF running the small school is too
great and that better educational ad
vantages are secured to the pupils.
OF these two reasons, the second is
of vastly greater Importance. If it is
clear that the small school is still d
better school and more profitable to
the public than the larger one, towns
are not justified, for a small saving of
money, in making combination
Medical Inspection
Medical inspection of the schools is
a topic to which the attention of our
people should be given. The objects
of such inspection are as follows:
lit provides opportunity for the
detection of defects in school condi-
tions such as imperfect heating, light.
ing and sanitation.
1T leads to the discovery of con-
tagous diseases while these are in an
early stage, thereby preventing epi-
denies among school children and
often saving lives through the i'm
mediate treatment thus secured.
at reveals the individual pecu-
liarities and abnormalities that are
often responsible for inferior school
work, weakened constitutions and
nervous exhaustion. Among these
defects may be mentioned adenoids,
imperfect hearing and eyesight
lit aft rds opportunity for advis
ing with teachers on matters pertain
ing to the health of their pupils
opportunity is given for the
discovery of any special causes of
weakness such as excessive smoking
or other designations of which chill
dren are liable, and the giving of
personal advice supported by weight
of authority.
1t shoAld be clearly understood
that medical inspection does not in
dictate medical treatment 10y the in
spector. If child is found to be
suffering from any difficulty that
interferes with his own progress or
from any that endangers his fellow
pupils, he is sent home, his parents
are notified and the family physician
may be called. Medical inspectors,
as such, do not under any circum-
stances treat cases.
Under this plan it is the duty of the
inspector to examine each child at
the opening of each term or years or
upon entrance to school, for the dis
eovery of any physical defects or
abnormalities. The certificate of the
family physician stating that he has
given a similar examination may be
accepted in place of the examination
by the inspector.
During the year the inspector
makes periodic visits TO the schools
when the teachers may present for
examination any child who has Civ n
evidence of the development of any
disability. On each visit of this kind
he makes careful inspection of the
buildings and surroundings, leaving
such Instructions as the conditions
may warrant. Again he is subject to
the call of teachers or superinten-
dents if special need arises. Dis
eases like scarlet fever and diphtheTia,
which often make sad raYages among
school children, might often be
checked at the beginning by the
calling of physician when sus-
picious eruptions or other symptoms
first appear.
Such a system of inspection is not
eXpensiv, in view of the results OBJ
tanned. As preventive of diseases
it may save community both i'll lives
and in money Through medical in
spection advice is given that pro-
notes physical power and this makes
possible greater mental achieve
ments for the relation between the
mind and body are SO close that the
one cannot do its best work while
the other is enfeebled.