The Washington herald., 1912-02-26
IOPEN-A|R SCHOOL
PLAN IS ENDORSED
Segregation of Tubercular
Children Urged by Capt.
tai Physicians.
FAVORED BY DAVIDSON

The segration OF tubercular school chill
dren. who are ill-nourished and undevel-
i oped. is being advocated by prominent
i physicians OF Washington. who unite in
saying that one OF the most immediate
I necessities of the city is the Inaugural
/ tlon of an open air school system. Su-
| perintendent of Schools William NJ.
i Davidson yesterday put his stamp OF
approval on the movement for the estab-
/ lshment of such institutions, and de-
clared 1t is only question Of time when
/ this city will boast OF suitable places for
the instruction OF children thus afflicted.
Though all the physicians do not agree
on the subject of dieting such children,
they corroborate DR.. Davidson in his
| declaration that the climate OF Washing
| ton Is dangerous to tots who are ex-
posed DIR. Davidson called attention to
| the open windows'' class at the Gales
| School, but tadmitted that open air.
classes would be more beneficial 10
, pupils who are affiicted with the white
plague.
Approves Segregation.
There is no reason" said DR.. David
| son last night, why open air classes
should not be established In the schools
| OF Washington, and such a system Is
bound to be inaugurated soon because Of
the changeable climate of this city.
Hitherto there has, been no attempt at
segregation, but such action should and
will be taken"
DR.. George Tully Vaughn. Of the
Emergency Hospital stan, agreed that
tubercular tots would be greatly bene-
fited by segregation, as well as the more
healthy children. who are now exposed
to the afniction in their daily associa-
tions
while I have never studied the prae-
teal side OF the open air school, there
is no question but that it would be for
the good OF both the tubercular and
healthy child" said DR.. Vaughn. Fresh
air improves the health always. I can't
agree with the Philadelphia physicians
who are dieting the tots who attend the
open air schools in that city.
''Nourishing food is a necessity in body
building. and to take II away from the
tubercular patient retards his recovery"
Disagrees ON Dieting.
DR.. C. C. Craft, OF the George WASH
ington University Hospital stan. dis
agrees with DR.. Vaughn in so far as
dieting of the children is concerned, but
is emphatic in his assertions that open
air schools for tubercular children are
badly needed.
IF our school children who are unfor-
tunate to be afilcted with the white
plague are to be given an even break
with their more fortunate brothers and
sisters" said DR.. Craft. they must be
given an opportunity to regain their
health. The proper care Of the patient
when the disease Is in Its incipient
stages means speedy recovery.
IT, personally. am against sending af-
f1icted children to school. They need
medical attention and should get It, But
the majority OF them may be restored
to normal health by this system OF OPEN
air schools. Such institutions would i'm
prove the mind as well as the body, and
for this reason they are the more de-
sirable. 1t naturally follows that healthy
children will be more attentive in classes
than the sick
Il should suggest that a diet Of fresh
milk and eggs would aid In such work.
No medicine cures tuberculosis. Recoy-
cry depends upon the natural resistance
Of the patient and lots of fresh air"
The other physicians questioned on the
segregation plan were DIR. W. p. Carr,
Of the Casualty Hospital, and DR.. W.
B. Marbury. OF the stan at Providence
Hospital.
Climate Affects Lungs.
This is one of the best innovations
that could be possibl accomplished in
this city, said DR.. Carr I'VE are Hv-
ing in a climate that affects the lungs
greatly, and while / believe that all
children who show even a trace of the
dread disease should be placed in u
sanitorioum. I realize that such action
is at times and under certain circum-
stances impossible. Therefore, the vital
consideration is a suitable institution
for children so a icted, where they may
pursue their studies and recover at the
same time.
II know of no better plan. In these
classes the patient would be benefited
before the disease reached its advanced
stages, and would be saved, whereas the
present curriculum in the public schools
providing only indoor instruction for, all
pupils, subjects the healthy child to the
germs carried about by the others, and
aggravates the poor health Of the less
fortunate children"
DR.. Marbury pointed out that physicians
find in autopsies that 90 per cent Of the
persons whose lungs they examine were
AFFLICTED with tuberculosis while they
were alive, and said this fact was one |
OF the most encouraging features Of the |
tight against .he white plague.
should Be Checked.
Such figures are encouraging to the
said DIR. Marbury, because /
it shows that the disease is not neces-
sarily fatal. and that IL 1t is arrested |
when in its primary stages it may be
cured. The climate here, while not as |
as others does. not mean that |
any person with weak lungs is apt to be /
stricken. Tubercular Persons may re-
cover in almost any climate, II they are
nourished and cared for.
7 am. Of course. in sympathy with
open-air schools. Their value can be
realized to the fullest extent only by
man or women who have studied tuber-
culosis. Sanitariums, heretofore. have
been the best places to send tubercular
childres, but the work could be Just as
done In open-aIr schools, and
would benefit the child more, because
here he would have competent teacher,
and his mind would grow with his body"
Opinions such as thse from experts
who are devoting their lives to the
search for preventitives for this and
other diseases. viii without question,
create interest in this city, especially
among the settlement workers who have
oeen for yars- contending that healthy
;hiidren are never found as offeders In