The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-11-30
Buckingham's Message to Health Board on Estab- lishment of Free
 Clinics
Would Mean Much In Con- serving Health of Little Ones Who Are Exposed to Dangers-Health Author ities Are In Accord.


 an alarming number of defects among school children, most of whom are amenable to treatment if given. in proper time, Mayor Buckingham, act ing upon the statistics furnished by pr. Florence Sherman, medical ;n- spector of schools, has outlined to the board of health plan whereby the public school children in/ need of treatment may obtain it without charge. All the movement requires for success is the cooperation Of dentists and doctors. The mayor aims to place dental, medical and surgical treatment within reach of all school children without making the recipients of this treatment feel that they have been made objects of charity.
 The plan of the Board of Health is to proceed along the lines pursued in the public school system, of the cities the medical inspection of school chill dren has been in vogue. In the Bay State this system has long since pass ed the experimental stage and through it there are saved thousands of chil- dren annually, it is estimated, from sickness and death.
 Dr. Florence Sherman. the medical inspector of the Bridgeport public schools, startled the members of the Board of Health by her report of con- ditions The physicians on the health board convinced themselv es readily of the absolute authenticity of her state ments. by personal visits to the vari- ous schools.
 The plan is for every child in the public schools to undergo an exami- nation at intervals. In event of the discovery that the child is in need of a off he posed system. the child will be dis missed from school with card in Structing the parents to have the child treated either by the family doctor. or in event of being unable to do so. in the proposed clinic.
 If the child returns to school with credentials from an accredited physic- ian. there will be no further action. The clinic, too. will be provided with blanks to certify that the child is in proper condition to return to school.
 "I have been informed that the ex- pupils of the city, which examination is nearly completed, shows that a very large number of the children have defective eyes or teeth or are suffering from some nose or throat trouble, such as adenoids. enlarged tonsils and other unhealthy condi- tions.
 Tt is a fact upon which the medi- cal profession is unanimously agreed, that such defects and diseased condi- tions greatly impair the mental and physical development of the child.
 iIt is, of course, not only for the benefit of the child, but for society as whole, that every child should be assisted to reach his fullest mental and physical powers, and that those defects should be remedied, if they can be, by proper medical and dental treatment Many nf those frnuh1 es which have been found among boys and girls, need the care of special ist to treat them, and l am confident from what I have learned that a large percentage of the parents feal that they cannot afford to engage the necessary services of a physician or dentist. Even if it were possible for them to procure the necessary fna-1- cial assistance from the charities board they naturally shrink from dp- pealing to this department. This aversion to asking for town aid is natural and readily understood and these parents ought not to be expect ed to apply for such assistance.
 This, however, will not be com pulsory, but a privilege extended par ents and guardians, of which they may avail themselves. if desired.
 'rrom my acquaintance with the physicians and the dentists of our city, I know that their professional ideals are high, and that there is as large a spirit of philanthropy among them as will be found among men in their professions in any community. I am confident that, if your board would bring to their attention the conditions which have been found among the public school children, these men in the medical and dental professions would each one be will ing to make some sacrifice of time and work in assisting to correct de- fects among children. Many eth ar cities in the country have free clinics at which such cases may be treated.
 ''There is a large room available for this place in the police and char tiles building on Fairfield avenue, and I am sure that the board of appor- tionment and taxation will co-op- crate and will make whatever small appropriation may be necessarily to furnish the required supplies. l would respectfully ask your board to give this matter your attention and see what can be done towards enlisting the aid of the physicians and dentists of our city.
 ''I feel certain that if it can be suc- cessfully carried out it will prove to be a public work that will be great ly appreciated by our citizens, and will be a blessing to the children and a great benefit to the community as a whole"
 LOCONfCTIvE PILOT BORE