The interior journal., 1909-10-08
MEDICAL INSPECTION.

In connection with the honor roll we
wish to present to the patrons in town
and county phase of school work not
heretofore INDUCED in by school author
tiles in small cities. Medical Inspection
Of schools is not fad or fancy but
a sensible necessity. Its object is to
prevent the spread Of infectious and
contagious diseases, to avoid and check
epidemics, TO promote and encourage
cleanliness and neatness in pupils. IL
seems useless to add further argument
for Medical Inspection but we will give
brief detailed argument. All pro-
gressive places are no longer asking
can we afford to safeguard our schools
in thus promoting the general welfare
Of their children. but are saying can we
afford not TO do il. Modern science
teaches US that buoyant health OF youth
must be diligently conserved from child
hood IL IL is to be enjoyed in after life.
IL is probably the wisest thing to do
Just here, TO announce that the inspec-
ton which we propose to do will not
cost one cent and for this reason we
can see absolutely no room for objec-
ton. Neither does it mean that you
must correct the evil at once or employ
the school examiners to do the work.
We do know, however. that a trouble
little dreamed Of may be so augmented
in few months that it will become Sc
rious. For instance, a pupil neglects
his studies, hates his school and leaves
it before he has half completed his
course and thus starts on the road To
an inefficient, useless life. Why? Be
cause Of the fact that his hearing is
partially impaired or his vision defective
Headaches. eyestrain. lassitude defect
i've breathing due to enlarged tonsils,
and such like, retard the pupils progress
andhe is called stupid when he is not.
Unclean mouths are productive of dis
ease germs and aid their growth; while
cavities in the teeth are centers of in
fection. Faulty digestion is caused by
neglect Of teeth and all ills to which
flesh is heir may be traced directly or
indirectly TO this and they are most GER
tainly intensified by il Thus mental
effort is rendered difficult and the child
hampered.
The work Of the physician $ examina-
tion Is confined TO dermatology and
prevalence OF infectious or contagious
diseases and lung tests. The dentist
will examine the teeth. The optician
and specialist will deal with eye. ear.
nose and throat troubles and will make
examination of these organs. A writ
ten report Of examination will be sent
to parent and one kept by board of ed
ucation. Ii is not the function of the
school or the examiners to give treat.
ment but to report causes and let pa.
tron know the sta,u, Of the child. DR.
W. h. O'Bannon, chairman of board oi
education. is appointed physician. DR.
W. N. Craig. the optician, eye, ear
nose and throat specialist, and DIR. 7
W. Pennington. the dental examiner.
These men have generously agreed t.
do their work without money. May w
ask the cooperation of patrons and al
interested in education in every ad
! vance step and we can well be proud o.
the fact that we are abreast Of tn,
, times.
, Education without health is useless
! Priceless as is education it is better Il
sacrifice education, il in order 70 ohtai.
} il good health must be laid down as tn,
, price. 1t has been truly said tina
! children are not dullards or defective
by the will of an instructable Provi
dence but rather by the law of csus'
and effect.
Join with us in removing as far a
possible every cause that doth so easil.
} hinder and beset the child in his forma
tive stage. j. w. IRELAND.