The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-14
M'LESTER REPORTS
 ON WORK IN SCHOOL
CONTINUED FROM PAGE g.,

--->------>-~---------- stances of marked improvement in such children are frequently reported.
 "I quote verbatim from reports given me by the principals: F. M, age years For two or three years was dull and list in his work and a regular repeater in his grade. He was inclined to vii. type of profanity and took great de- light in torrnenting younger boys and girls. He did not scruple to falsify and any sort of punishment seemed temporary in its effect. As recommended by the medical director his parents had him un- dergo an operation for adenoids. He is now a changed boy. His work is much better done and for the first time he vii not have to repeat" He has left on profanity and his torture of little folks and is now very well behaved. I regard this as the most distinct change that have ever witnessed in child of his years in so short time.'
 "C. H., age years-This little girl suf- fered from almost constant headache for some weeks last fall. She cried daily and we could not get her to do work with any consistency. After examination by the medical director she consulted an ocu- list, put on glasses and has since been normal in her actions and health.'
 "A. G., second grade-Was listless, in attentive and careless, hence classed as dull. She was treated for defective vision. Now she is alert, attentive and careful, hence is really a bright pupil"
 IF. E., fifth grade-Was operated on as recommended. for defective hearing. He was inattentive and careless, now is at- tentive and dilligent. Before treatment his averages were 64, n, 62 and 6S; since treatment, so, v and 75."
 "It is our intention in future to add to our records notations of the class stand ing of each child before and after treat ment and in this way to secure concrete testimony to the value of this work.
 Referring to your annual report of last yea to the board of education, I should like to emphasize especially our need of q school for mental detectives as recom- mended by you. The advice of the de- partment of medical inspection is asked for by the teacher time and time again each year to determine what should be done with certain backward or mentally defective punpils. Whoever studies these children and knows tho good that comes from training especially adapted to their needs must realize what great thing, not only for the individual, but for the state such school would be. Through early suitable guidance and instruction a great many SO called defectives instead of becoming a charge upon the community will develop into relatively useful and self supporting citizens The early estab- llshment of such school I would ur- gently recommend.
 "A great many cities now have open air schools where the pupil sits all day exposed to an invigorating, refreshing, free atmosphere. In such schools are placed not only those with pulmonary dis ease, but many pale, undeveloped children who need an open air life Reports from these cities are universally enthusiastic as to the good accomplished. An open air school could, without great expense, he instituted in Birmingham, and Is great ly to be recommended. Respectfully.
 JAMES M'LESTER."