El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-08-30

the child is neglected the educators of
the country are cooperating with the
physicians in an effort to improve the
general health of the public The ad-
visibility of making physical as we'll
as intellectual requirements Of all stu
dents entering university or institu-
ton of higher learning is being seri-
ously discussed. Several states are
now giving legislative consideration to
physical requirements for students en-
tering state normal schools and state
colleges and universities. The Univer-
sity of Michigan last year formulated
the following health questions, which
were presented to each candidate for
admission:
DO you sleep well?"
rs your digestion good?"
DO you exercise regularly each day,
and what amount Of time do you devote
to it?"
Other schools are now preparing a
much more elaborate system of ques-
lions, which are at least suggestive of
a general trend towards the require
ment of average good health from all
those who desire to secure a higher
education.
Public School Hygiene.
In the public school, health and hy-
giene are rapidly becoming recognized
as of paramount Importance Free
medical inspection has been provided
for the public schools in most of the
large cities and in several states 1t
has been made compulsory by law. The
medical inspector visiting the school
and noting the physical. defects of a
child, calls the attention of the teach
er to 1T and steps are taken immedi-
ateIy to have it remedied- Where the
-
for the required treatment, the service
is rendered at the public expense.
Three hundred and fifty cities in the
United States now have regularly or
ganized staffs Of medical inspectors IN
connection with their public school
systems. Other cities have not yet
reached the same degree OF organiza-
ton, but by means of voluntary SER
vices on the part of philanthropic ply
sicians much is being done to improve
the general health of the schools. That
systematic medical inspection will
eventually become uniform throughout
all the public schools of the country
is indicated by the progress already
made, as there are at present 20 states
which already have taken legislative
action upon the subject.
Lack of Exercise Injurious
It frequently develops that chill
dren who are backward in their studies
suffer from some physical defect which
can be easily remedied. In New York
City it was ascertained by careful ex-
animation that children suffering from
adenoids are usually back in their
grades, and that, the operation renov-
ing this difficulty almost invariably
led to marked Improvement in schol-
astic standing. Children with defective
vision frequently have glasses provided
for them by the school board and nu-
merous cases Of incipient blindness
have thus been prevented. Medical in
spection In the schools, by its detection
and exclusion of contagious diseases in
their early stages, is preventing much
misery and saving many lives
Where a well organized system OF
medical inspection prevails, physician
visits each public school as soon as
possible after the opening of the morn
ing session. Each teacher ascertains IL
any child in her division is indisposed
in any way. Those who report the
slightest ailment are turned over to
the physician for examinations Some
times children dc not report the -indis-
position, but the teacher IS ever on the
alert for any symptoms and prompt ae-
ton prevents the development of seri-
Gus illnesses.
Equipment is Cheap.
The equipment for the medical in
spection is comparatively trifling.
Wooden tongue depressors. which are
broken and thrown away after being
used, supply of sanitary towels and
napkins, a small case of emergency
medicines. together with sterilized
dressings and vessels for washing out
wound, complete the requirements Tor
each room. The physicians furnish
their own instruments and 1t IS under
stood that the school is not in any case
hospital or a clinic. Outside OF
simple examination the school physi-
clan takes no further steps for treat
ment in the school building, except in
cases Of special emergency. Where
there are established corps Of medical
inspectors, the school physicians usu-
ally examine the eyes and ears of the
children, although in some places spe-
cialists are provided for this purpose.
Dental inspection is one of the latest
Developments in school hygiene. In
number of cities the teeth of the pub
lie school children are regularly in
spected and treatment provided at a
special clinic for those who require 1t
In these matters the teachers cooperate
heartily with the physicians in an en-
deavOr to secure the pest results IN
some schools tooth brushes are pro-
vided to children who do not possess
them and teachers frequently teach
children how to use them. 1nstruc-
ton in how to breathe properly, how
to carry the head and chest the best
positions while studying. both as re-
CARDS the body and the supply Of light
are other matters to which teachers
give much attention.
Good Health Clubs.
The formation of Good Health clubs
in the elementary schools is an inno-
walton which is bound to bear practical
fruit. A Good Health club In large
schoo, in Alabama has formulated the
folio wing pledge for it's members:
II promise:
81 To be as regular in my habits
as / can, to rise at the same hour, re-
tire at the same hour, eat my meals at
the same hour each day and not to eat
between meals.
"2 Never TO sleep in a room without
having at least one wide open window
49, To choose food that is nourish-
ing and to stop eating when 1 have
enough.
"a. To drink at least eight glasses
r fxzTc before II