The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1912-06-29
MEDICAL INSPECTION OF SCHOOL
CHILDREN.

sun III vi OppOolIlO11 l1OAAl SIbS L ava
yune and several correspondents, par
ticularly as the bill authorized the
examination of school children for
other physical defects" besides inn
paired vision, defective teeth, hear
ing, and enlarged tonsils. 1t was
rightly contended that this provis-
ion for examination for "other physi-
cal defects" would subject the girls
and young women of our schools to-
exposure of the person to any chance
medical examiner under undesirable
conditions and away from the paren-
tai roof and protection. Such sug-
gestions were intolerable, and though
the prepayment Of the measure, Sem
ator Barrow, possibly did not fOreSee
such contingencies, or being himself
a physician was less sensitive than
the average parent is to the SuggeS-
ton of physical examination of their
daughters. A leading physician of
Baton Rouge and very fine man
told the writer that he is opposed
to physical examination of young
girls, unless under the most excep-
tional circumstances. We believe
that this gentleman is in a majority
even with his brother physicians.
However under these protests the
Objectionable words quoted have been
struck from the bill. In our opinion,
the bill is still very Objectionable.
Judging by it's heading it seems a
good bill, as this reads, Requiring
the chairman of city of town boards
of health in incorporated municipali-
ties to act as medical inspector in
the public schools located in the in
corporated municipalities, and define
his duties; requiring the presidents
| OF the parish boards of health to Per-
form similar duties with reference to
all public schools other than those 10
Gated in incorporated municipalities;
and authorizing parish school boards
to bear the expense Of treating de-
fective children of poor parents. (The
Parish of Orleans excepted.)"
| On reading this head as reported,
it seemed to be a clincher as to the
average local boards of health to keep
diseases out of the schools, matter
where great remiSsnesS is shown. Th
bill however requires that the chair.
man shall visit the public schools ev
cry session as often as is necessary
and see that the physical plant is
kept in sanitary condition, lecture to
the teachers and children upon sani-
tary and other health questions, and
examine the children for Impaired
vision, defective teeth and hearing,
enlarged tonsils and other physical
defects and such inspection, examina-
ton and lectures shall be under the
supervision, direction and control of
the Board of Health of the State of
Louisiana; provided that for the eX-
animation under this Act there may
be substituted by the parent a GER
tificate as to the facts required from
a reputable, registered practicing doc
tor of medicine; and further provid-
ed that such certificate is in the
form required by and otherwise &C.
ceptable to the medical inspector or
health officer in charge of such
school inspections"
The bill further provides that In
case the parents or guardians are I'm.
able to pay for their defective chill
dren to be properly treated that "it
shall be legal for the parish school
Il boards to bear the expense"
i Even with the examination "for 9th
/ er physical defects feature removed il
will be readily seen by the most
casual reader that upon every parent
is imposed the duty of having their
:. children examined either by the
! health officer or the family physician
One means an expense to the State
. the other to the parent. for these
: medical men "do not work for moth
}, ing" 1t will eventually mean high
salaried inspectors for the schools
t 1t now means great expense to the
conscientious parent, for every body
! knows that the ordinary practitioner
is no Judge of defective vision OF
u hearing
I The bill carries no provision for
i forcing the parent to have the child
treated, and so it's final effects will
be limited to the treatment of chill
! dren whose parents or guardians dc
Il not scruple to ask for aid from the