Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1909-12-18

MEDICAL INSPECTION IN THE
SCHOOLS.
The subject of medical inspection
in schools, to a closer degree than
prevails in manly of the public schools,
is attracting general attention, and
an interesting paper was read few
days ago by DR.. Mcdonald before the
Fortnightly CLUB of Grand Forks, in
which he said:
Medical inspection of public schools
has been in operation in Europe. for
over 30 wears and in New York City
since 1894. Today more or less or
Aactive systems are to be found in
most of the European countries, jap
an, Argentine and In over seventy
cities of this country. Such inspec-
tons are directed along one or Doun
of two lines. First, to prevent the
spread of contagious disease, and par
astic skin troubles; second, the de-
lection of abnormal or defective cnlld-
rem, their Improvement and to pro-
vide better accommodations for them
in the schools.
The former type of inspection is
most urgently demanded and is the
easier to Install. It may be accom-
mlished by one Of several methods.
First, a routine daily examination of
all pupils by visiting physician.
This is open to the objections that it
would be expensive, take a large
amount Of time, disarrange school
work and might easily lose it's value
THROUGH hurried methods. Though
with practice physician could pick
ont suspicious cases for detailed ex-
animation in a short survey OF ohe
school room. Ia second method is to
provide for a resident school nurse,
who among her duties is expected to
make preliminary examination OF the
room each morning with the teacher.
At this time they pick out all s1ls-
Dicious cases and all returned absen-
tees. These are collected in a spec
ial room for examination by the Wis
iting physician He usually finds
about ten per cent Of the suspicious
cases such as to require isolation or
quarantine The nurse Is a valuable
6lU Ill uO4lOWIuE up CdoOo S%AA0 oS>N
ing outside informa tion. Third, the
teachers are especially trained and
expected to go over their rooms thor
oughly each morning, looking for the
children who appear ill, complain OF
sore throat, fever, itching, pain, or
other suspicious symptoms; or return
ed a,bsentees A teacher who knows
her pupils and is on the lookout, can
be trained to detect the dangerous
cases. She may pick out more than
necessary, but it Is better to Ibe on
the safe side. Any of these methods
is supplemented by periodical ex-
animation of all for the presence OF
chronic contagious Or parasitic dis
ease. For these thorough treatment
is insisted upon, isolation, during the
treatment and the child is excluded
from the school This form CT in
spector should he notified of all quar-
direction of or in close affiliation
with the board of health. The in
spector should be notified of all quar-
antines to be on his guard for other
cases from the nefghborho0d. The
health authorities should be notified
of all suspicious cases found in the
school that the home and locality may
be examined for the presence of con-
ceaIed cases. Through the efforts OF
Dr.-Healy our schools have benefited
by a. valuable approach to such
system during the past year.
Inspection for contagious cases is
done primarily for the protection Of
iaae community, while that for non
contagious defects aims to secure
"a n ix,i5r roll
child. There is large list of con-
ditfoms interfering with the chlld's
progress. which can only be detected
by thorough examination Of train
ed physician. Some of these can be
corrected, in which case the parent
should be glad to have his attention
called to It. II the condition cannot
Be improved the childs work should
B IL modified to suit his capabilities.
I. Id some instances It Is advisable for
che authorities to follow UP and see
mat some effort is made to put him
IN tf1e best possible condition. In this
relation the nurse ID of great value
IN explaining the condition, treatment
~ assisting In the treatment. for this
tyue cf inspection is required trained
EXAMINERS and assistants, records
/ ana notification blanks. Each child
nho,1ld BE examined when entering
1 a.hota and his exact condition NOTED
m nlanks which become permanent
records of the school. The parents
are notified In case OF any defect in
ma ks,iyd and the authorities know
what 10 expect from him. The record
( ahss,d accompany him from room to
3 $500 III order that each successive
fsscher may have the Information for