The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-03-02
SAYS Schools Are Not Perfect
But Will Measure Up to
the Average Found in This
State, Now.
WANTS INSPECTION
OF THE CHILDREN
Says Teachers Could Con-
duct Such Work Until the
State Provides for Medi-
Cal Inspection.

A declaration by Dr. w. r. King. as
sistant state health commissioner, that
the gravity system of ventilation in
the Sevastopohl school should De
changed to the mechanical fan systeia
to provide a more reliable source OF
fresh air; a statement by one of the
teachers of the same school that en-
damp days when there is little pull on
the gravity system that odors of foul
air are noticeable in the school.
demonstration of the need. and inn
portance OF a medical inspection Of
school children. or. at least, what is
now Obtainable. a test of the school
children by the teachers according to
the Snellen chart, were the principal
| results of the examination OF the
school buildings today. In summing
up his opinion of the schools of Rich
mond from his inspection so far, DIR.
King stated that they compared fay-
! orably with other systems of the state.
No fault was found with the gravity
| ventilating system at the Sevastopohss
school other than it is not as efficient
| as the fan system. DR.. King said that
1t was operating as well as any system
of this nature can operate An air
meter test in a room. typical in size
and construction. showed that a suf-
| ficient quantity of air was entering the
room but this. DR.. King explained
could not be taken as the regular
amount owing to the fact that outdoor
conditions. which change constantly.
have everything to do with the system
and at any time the amount might
change to an insufficient quantity
At Baxter School.
At the Baxter school where DIR.
King declared the ventilation was as
near perfect as possible without the
Installation of apparatus for humidi-
flying the air, DR.. King inspected
number Of the children and from the
discovery of number of Affections of
which the teachers heretofore il had
been unaware he drew the conclusion
that medical inspection is one of the
most important needs of the public
schools today. AS medical inspec-
tion, however. cannot now be secured
DR.. King said he was an urgent advo-
chart in every room and Of having the
teachers examine the children for
physical defects, according to the out
line in the chart. He said that in
Massachusetts where such system
is now in vogue results had shown
that "a per cent of all cases diagnos-
ed by the teachers were right, and he
believed the same results could be at
tanned here
1t was at the solicitation OF the
teachers that DIR. King examined a
number OF the pupils. In the opinion
of DR.. King two of the children have
adenoid growths in the nose, while
another was afflicted with an eye dis
ease. He told the child whose eyes
were defective to tell his parents of
the fact and ask that they take him
to an oculist. He recommended to
the teachers that the affiiction of the
, other two children be brought to the
attention Of their parents. Such
!, cases as these, DIR. King said, could be
discovered in a general way by the
teachers with the use of the Snellen
chart.
i To Fall to Teachers.
| In justification for his attitude In
2 recommending that teachers make
, physical examinations of the pupils,
r Dr. King declared that even when medi-
cal inspection is provided by the state
, the examinations, after being started
: by physicians. will ultiamtely fall to
: the lot of the teachers.
II Instructions were given the janiter
at the Baxter building by DIR. King tn
, diminish the time of flushing of the
. urinals iE the boys toilets from every
fifteen or twenty minutes to every
five minutes.
= Every room in the Baxter schooi was
$ found to be receiving sufficient
quantity Of fresh air. The light space
: in two rocnas measured proved defici-
j ent. 1t was found to be only one
D eighth of the floor space while the
minimum requirement is one sixth.
: Several of the teachers We're question
! ed and all declared they had never
noticed any odors or heaviness OF the
: air and knew of no unsanitary condi-
: tons The toilets were found in good
; condition with the exception of the
time it took for the urinal to flush.
Il At Finley School.
: II am satisfied said DIR. King
when he had completed his inspec-