The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-03-09

and desks to the extent required by
law t2OGo of the total NUMBER be in
stalled as rapidly as conditions will
permit.
In a number of cases the toilets
were found not TO flush satisfactorily,
and in the case of the boys sanitary
at the Starr building, an odor was
plainly noticeable. In this case the
odor was due to bad plumbing. 1t is
recommended that the plumbing in
the boys sanitary at the Starr build
ing, and at the Whitewater building
should be overhauled at once, and that
the plumbing in other buildings
should be given attention from time
to time as may be needed. In addi-
ton, the boys sanitary in all buildings
not now so provided, should be sup
piled with floor drains, provided with
traps. connected with the sewer in or
der that more efficient cleanliness
may be maintained in these apart
ments. At the Sevastopol building it
is recommended that sewerage be es-
| tablished in connection with the tot
| let's thus doing away with the objec-
| tiOnable cess pool now in use.
Fire ESCAPES Needed.
Although not directly connected
| with hygiene or sanitation, attention
| is called to- the following conditions
! because of their bearing upon the
| safety and welfare of pupils in the
schools. At the Finley building, the
stairway leading to the second floor
| A ;,n 10, midi With flIrn
between the second floor and the exit
of the building. might easily prove a
source of danger in case of fire. This
building should be equipped with
| proper fire escapes and if possible a
wide stairway between the two floors
should be constructed. In this con-
nectiOn also attention is called to the
fact that janitors are in the habit in
some cases of obstructing the entranc-
es to buildings by placing therein lad
ders, stepladders. and implements OF
various kinds. All entrances and ex-
it's to school buildings should be kept
absolutely free and unobstructed at all
| times The recommendation above
given cover all conditions pertaining
to the school buildings themselves in
which recommendations are deemed
necessary.
The nine graded buildings in Rich
mond, being of old construction, and
having been built without reference to
any definite standard of course do
not meet the requirements of standard
modern construction. Unless this fact
is taken into consideration, compar-
ison based upon present day stand
ards is misleading. These buildings
and their equipment, with the eXcep-
ton of the Sevastopol building, when
compared with buildings and equip
ment now in use in other cities of
similar class, make very favorable
showing Progress, however, is the
universal order in school house con-
struction and equipment.
New Buildings Advised.
From time to time as the finances
of the city of Richmond will permit,
these buildings should be replaced by
buildings of modern construction in
which are incorporated all the prOvis-
ions concerning light. heating, ventila-
ton and seating required by modern
standards and which are absolutely
necessary in order to best conserve
the physical, mental and moral vel
fare of school children. That such i'm
provements and changes will be made
and as rapidly as possible, is argued
by the fact that the changes and i'm
provements already made have kept
pace with the advance in knowledge
along lines of school hygiene and san
itation.
The inspection took note of features
aside from those pertaining strictly to
the school buildings. Some of these
features were hygienic, others were
not. This part of the inspection was
deemed necessary in view of peculiar
local conditions. In one or two rooms
states and sponges are in use. These
should be dispensed with promptly. In
certain cases in two schools, pencils
are furnished pupils by the school Of
ficials. This practice seems necessary
in certain schools of every city. 1t
was noted, however, that intelligent
effort was made in every case to pre-.
vent the promiscuous use of these
pencils and that in so far as possible
each child was given the same pencil
every day.
In Regard to Pencils.
1t is the notion of the inspector
} that pencils furnished pupils by d
school board should be owned by the
l pupils and kept in their desks as
books are kept, thus obviating the
: promiscuous taking up and giving on,
again of same. Sanitary drinking
, fountains have been installed in a
: number of buildings. In every case the
fountains are well adapted to the use
: of the pupils. No reasonable argu
ment can be brought against the SAM
tary fountain and it is recommended
t that these fountains be installed as
: rapidly as possible in every building
t in the city. 1t was found that teachers
/ were at liberty to open windows OIL