The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-02-11
Many Minor Maladles, Most
Contagious, Were Discov-
cred, and Some Cases
Have Been Treated and
Cured.
Acute Eye Conditions Put
Under Treatment and
Two Saved from Blind
ness by Reason of Discov-
cry of Trachoma and Op-
erative Interference.

DR.. Florence A. Sherman, M. D., in
spector of school children for the
Board Of Health who was the first
woman to appear before the tax board
has sent an explanation Of her at
titude to Mayor Buckingham. The
mayor said after reading the letter:
SCI am in favor of a medical inspec-
ton that is reasonable. But am not
in favor Of an inspection that means
an added increase Of expense to the
city,
DR.. Sherman's letter follows:
Hon. E. T. Buckingham, Mayor,
City.
Dear Sir
When I went to the Board of Ap-
portionment meeting last evening,
had no idea that I was to be an ac-
tive participant, otherwise I should
have had the necessary data to show
the work done and results obtained
and to prove we were not dealing with
'.glittering generalities." as reported by
one of the papers was very glad,
through a letter to Mr.. Paige and Mr.
Vincent this morning. to correct some
statements, hoping they might carry
some little weight and answer some OF
the questions asked. It seems to me
especially proper at this time, that
statement of the work done and the
results accomplished by medical school
inspection, so far as it has gone,
should be made known and I am go
ing to, if I may take the liberty to
make that statement to you and per-.
haps to the people in general through
you, as they certainly have the right
and should know the facts OF tne
case.
since the work began October 10,
1910, all the schools have been gone
through and in a few, a second round
of inspection begun. This represents
the inspection of over 14,o0O children,
Of whom 1854 were found defective.
5,310 had defective teeth. As a re.
suit of this condition, the dentists Of
the city have taken the matter up
and soon, lectures will be given In the
schools by dentists on the hygiene OF
the mouth, and in, all probability, a
dental clinic for school children un-
able to pay a dentist Will be estao-
lished, which will take up the mat
ter along the line Of prevention. which
in my Judgment is the only sane and
sound basis for permanent results
OF enlarged tonsils 2,S29 were found,
also 40 cases Of adenofds. Many OF
these cases who could afford opera
ton or medical treatment received 1t.
Many cases who could not afford
physician have applied for relief. but
so far, because Of the lack of clinic
for that purpose, we have been unable
to meet the demand. Quite number
of poor cases have been treated by
some of the nose and throat special
lists.
There are a number Of physicians
who have offered their services II
place is provided where such work can
be done.
And ITO cases Of pediculosis Chead
lice) have been cleaned UP. and 4SS
cases of impetigo contagiosa, a skin
disease commonly found In the schools.
especially among foreign children.
These have been treated ana cureo;
q cases of scabies Cor itch) cured:
Is cases of ringworm cured: cases
of trachoma cured. These two cases
Were saved from total blindness by
operation by two of the most expert
men in the city. who gave their SER
vices.
Sixty-four cases of tonsilitis were
found and put under treatment. Most
of the previously mentioned diseases
were contagious and had they not
been properly dealt with. many more
would have resulted. In addition to
were put under treatment. and 26 of
fensive or unclean pupils were exclud-
ed and not allowed to return to school
until they were wholesome and clean.
Other defects found were: 108 pupils
with defective hearing. SO with en-
larged cervical glands. 81 cases Of
chorea Cor st. Vitus Dance), 81 ortho-
pedic Cor joint diseases). IL with de-
fective palate. 104 mentally deficient.
All Of these cases received notificatid
cards. asking that the parent consult
their physician in all cases where that
was possible Many of these pupils
were unable to employ a physician and
1t is for this class that the proposed
clinic would fill great need.
Teachers all say that the school at
tendance this winter up to the present
writing has been exceptionally high.
DR.. Mcclellan tells me that he has
never known a time during his SER
vice on the health board. when there
has been so little sickness in the
schools.
The supervision of the hygienic and
sanitary condition of the school build
ings is in my judgment no mean part
Of this work.
Medical inspection was primarily
started with regard to ntagious dis
eases. AS such it has served a great
purpose. but in addition to the contag-
ious diseases it was found with the
added length of the school term and
the great advance in standards for
work, pupils were unable to keep up
started as to the reason for this. AS
4 result. the examination for physical
defects was conducted. which revealed
results as shown by our
previous list. There never has been
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