The Washington herald., 1909-04-16
MEDICALINSPECTION
FOR SCHOOLS URGED
Mr.. Macfarland FavOrs DR..
WOOdward's Plan.
WOULD INCREASE EXAMINERS
Advance in Pay for Physicians Who
VIII Look After Health of Pupils
rs Well as Sanitary Conditions of
Institutions Also Is PIanned-TO
Improve the Present System.

Commissioner Macfarland yesterday ex-
pressed hearty approval OF recommended
tions contained in a report Of Health Of
feer Woodward. urging a systematic
medical inspection Of public schools and
school children in the District.
The report has been carefully consid-
cred by the president Of the Board OF
Commissioners. and he said yesterday he
would recommend to the Commissioners
that provision for an increase in the num-
Der Of inspectors be asked Of Congress. in
the estimates next year. that the system
may be successfully worked.
These three reasons, all OF which Dr.
Woodward considers OF vital importance.
are advanced by him in favor OF the pro-
posed system:
TO prevent any pupil from attending
school who is suffering from defect or
disease which renders his presence ma
terially detrimental 70 the welfare or the
safety Of other pupils or any pupil whose
attendance at school VIII materially
jeopardize his own health when the con-
ditiOn out of which such jeopardy arises
is of a temporary character
ITO advise the principal OF the school
building with reference 10 all matters OF
hygiene or sanitation which are brought
10 the inspectors attention relating 10
school administration. and 10 invite the
attention of principals and teachers 10
such conditions in the school room and
in the building generally from a sanitary
standpoint as require correction
TO see that applicants for admission
to the normal school. and pupils in that
school seeking graduation. and Of appli-
cants for appointment as teachers or
janitors are physically tit for the course
OF training or for the work upon which
they seek to enter"
Education Board FavorS Plan.
This service Is by law under the direc-
ton Of the health Office, but such regula-
tions as ne makes concerning II must
have the approval OF the Commissioners
and the board Of education The Com
nissioners have already expressed their
APPROVAL OF the scheme. and IL is under
stood that while no decisive vote on
the matter has been taken by the school
board. the majority Of the members IA
vOr IL. It IS probable that a vote viii
be taken on the question al the next
meeting.
10 systematic effort has ever been
made 10 thoroughly examine physically
all the pupils Of the public schools. de-
clares Or. Woodward. lie says The num-
Der Of available medical inspectors. IN
view OF the fact that the salaries paid
are not large enough 90 justify calling
upon them TO devote the entire day 20
their official duties. has not been suffi-
cient 10 permit such work
DR. Woodward urges that several new
inspectors be appointed, and that the
salaries be increased.
Attending the physical needs OF schOl-
ars In the public schools is in operation
in Chicago. New York. Seattle. Wash:
Newark. y. J., and several other cities.
Reports from school authorities in these
cities show a decrease in i'll health among
the scholars since the system has been
IN operation.
Urges Increase in Pay.