The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1909-12-09
UNDER AUSPICES OF
v. c. 7. j.
Preliminary Medical In
spection Of Schools
One of the Most Important of New
Movements.

One of the most important of the
new movements for the improvement
of public schools is the effort to Sc
cure systematic medical inspection of
the pupils.
This movement has made much
Roadway in different parts of the
United States, although we are still
far behind Germany, England and
some other European countries.
In recognition of the importance of
this work, the last Maine Legislature
passed a law providing tho compul-
sorry ear and eye tests, and authoriz-
ing towns to appropriate money for
medical inspection.
The Woman's Christian Temperance
Union has been making study of the
subject at some of it's meetings, and
the members have been strongly i'm
pressed with the advantages of the
system, and the desirability of its be-
ing introduced In Skowhegan. There
fore, wishing to do something of
practical usefulness, the Union en-
gagged DR.. Mary S. Croswell to make
preliminary medical inspection of
the schools, with the hope that the
matter thus brought before the pub
lie might be taken up by the town,
and made a permanent part of our
school system.
1t is believed that Skowhegan is one
of the first towns in the State to make
beginning in this line.
The superintendent and teachers
have co-operated heartily with the
Mothers Meeting Committee of the w.
C. T. IT,, having the undertaking in
charge.
The ear and eye tests required by
the law were made by the teachers in
preparation for the doctors coming.
Dr. Croswell was for four years
physical director and instructor in
physiology and hygiene in the wo-
mems department of Colby College.
She spent Monday, Tuesday and We'd
nesday of Thanksgiving week in the
examination, giving also, practical
talks to the teachers on the follow
ing subjects: "How to Recognize
symptoms of Disease" How Hygiene
May Be Taught in the Grades and
How to Teach the Effects of Alcohol
and Narcotics.
The results of this inspection are
most interesting and significant. The
grades below the High school were
the ones examined each grade send
ing its proportion of pupils, who
seemed to the teachers, on account or
the tests just made. or for other rea-
sons, to be most in need of attention.
DR.. Croswell examined seventy-two
such scholars with the following find
ings:
Enlarged tonsils. 81; probable EIDE
noids, is; possible adenoids, %; deaf
ness, IS; defective eyes, 30; decayed
teeth. 6S.
There were also many abnormal
conditions found in the nose. and
many children found suffering from
mal-nutrition, or with symptoms of
disease.
The defects in sight and hearing
ran from slight departure from nor
NAL to entire blindness In one eye, or
almost total deafness. Even allow
ing some discount of error in diagno-
sis. owing to conditions under which
the work was done, there remains an
appalling number of defects which
must be remedied, II the children de-
velop into reasonably healthy, eff
cient citizens.
Parents should see that their chill
dren having these troubles receive
immediate medical attention from
their family physicians.
Many cases Of throat end ear affec
tions are readily durable in early
childhood, but II neglected a few
wears, will result in serious injury.
which will not then yield to treat
ment.
Adenoids, which are easily removed,
often lead to permanent deafness. and
seriously impair the normal develop
ment of the child,
II is to be hoped that fathers and
mothers will avail themselves of the
data obtained by this inspection, not
only for the advantage of their own
children, but also for the benefit of
the schools in general. 1t must be
remembered that children having I'M
healthy conditions of the throat. for
example, are more susceptible to
grippe, diptheria, and various con-
tagious diseases, which are trans
mtted by them to other scholars.
By the elimination of such condi-
tions, as far as possible, the general
health of the school will be vastly
improved, and their standard of eff
cheney raised