Evening journal., 1910-02-07
Medical Inspection in the
Public Schools Of Wilmington
BY William c. Pierce, M. D.


how. what was the hope and dream Of the
late esteemed Dr. ). Janvier Black OF
New Castle some twelve years ago, has 70
materalzed and taken on such tangable
shape that to-day at the Hope Farm at
Falkland we have most excellent be-
ginning IN what already Is established /
there and the next few months will sec |
the opening Of the main administration
building with increased facilities and ad-
vantages 10 take a broader grasp and
scope OF this most vital and fascinating |
work. ] am glad TO be able to say that
DIR. Black lived 10 SEQ his dreams and
hopes IN this direction bear fruit In the
present realization and just So in regard
20 this movement OF medical inspection FOR
tho public schools OF Wilmington. Why
could we not likewise in comparison hope
that from the experimental beginning
such as I suggest, the lines may be laid,
which. as means and opportunities shall
develop. will see well equipped system
OF this important work throughout the
entire city Now I am just going 10 take
enough time TO tell I'm comparison TO other
cities. Here In Wilmington we have a
population OF something under 100000 peo-
pie and a system Of public education
which expends annually $4,000 In the in
structlon and care OF 1000 children. We
are told or led TO believe that to attempt
TO put this system on a basis by which
physicians should be paid a salary would
be at the present time more or less hope
less. but / am going to tell you what
know personally about a town named
Pawtucket Rhode Island. Pawtuoket Is
a manufacturing town in tho East with a
population OF 80 81. Two years ago this
volunteer system was established with a
few nurses and some four or five physi-
clans took up this work without re-
muueration. To-day the city OF Paw
b tucket, r. T. employs four physicians for
its medical inspectors on a salary OF 500
each per year and three trained nurses.
What can be done I'm this minor city OF
I The East surely could be done In Wilndng-
ton with nearly three times It's popula-
tlon. Think OF iti Are we behind in our
progress of schools and reform. Does the
student OF history OF to-day poruse the
! pages OF Dolawaro's record and read
? therein that we. as a state, are behind oui
3 neighboring states In the matter OF The
r march Of progress and self government
d / surely think so. Let as reflect for a mo-
10 ment briefly upon the part Delaware ha,
- played in tho very incipiency OF this Re
c public The Delaware school child to-day
- reads with pride the story OF how Caesai
- Rodney rode from I.ewcs 60 Philadelphia
e on horseback through the three countie
IT of Sussex. Kent and New Castle and b,
T. change OF steeds rushed on through ih
D tHHH.
{, bearing a most important message fror
m the three counties on the Delaware Ills
J. tory knows and will tell what that mes
70 sage was.
10 The Delaware school child to-day read
- Caesar Rodney's rido with pardonable Ct
thusiasm and I am come TO speak just I,
10 moment only on few selections fro
n this ride 20 bear out It's significant rel
"a tions which Delaware played on this m
" portant occasion.
I'M -Four; ana he spurs into New Cast
,e town,
y From his painting steed he gets hi
e. down.
to fresh one. quick not a moment waltz
lie And on speeds Rodney tho delegate.
is It is nve; and the beams OF the wester
70 sun
p. Tinge the spires Of Wilmington, gold an
es dun.
ST six; and the dust OF the Chester street
st Flies back In a cloud from his courser
er feet"
H. On. on; until upon the morning OF Jul
os 9Th, 111G-
OF THE Congress Is met, the debates begu
" And Liberty lags for the vote OF one
OF When into the hall, not a moment lat
id Walked Caesar Rodney the Delegate" 4"
1 r. Tell me- that VIC Of Delaware are M
er In touch with progress and reforml NJ
no. The slogan Of the High School boy an
rs the student Of Delaware College to-da
No resounds In my ears as / write when the
Il say Delaware first the constitution sigI
nd ed. and no better state youll find,
lg surely, then. I'm the matter OF suggestin
10 tho thoughts which / have brought o,
de before YOU, leading up 10 the prayer IN,
We they will meet with favorable public di
lo cussion and comment and through sue
We discussion some means may be develope
AZ and materialize that viii bring Whining
no ton up 70 par with other cities IN n,
Il class and win furnish to the 1900 chlldrs
il- Of our public schools that which they