Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-05-26
The Educators Field.

| In the report of the Gardiner super
intendent of schools we find chapter
| of SO much importance to the genera
public, and SO aptly setting forth The
province of the modern educator, thai
we lift it from its place in order to cal
special attention to it. When one oil
two more generations have passed. I'M
| der the guidance and advice of such
influence as now brought to bear upon
old and young, it seems that the truth
would have begun to dawn and to en-
tighten the minds and direct the course
of humanity.
| The minister, the educator. the edi-
tor-everywhere they are repeating
these things to their people and, let us
hope, now and then the real sgnifi-
canoe takes possession of the gray
| cells of some parent or turns the cur
rent of life for bright boy or girl
The words of superintendent Chase,
If needed. would mean untold moral
pIDSiSSS III tut iiSHt rNe''S
ton. After treating variety of mat
ters of vital interest to his city and its
school welfare, he said:
For generations "a sound mind in
sound body" has been the watchWord
of those interested in the development
Of complete manhood and womanhooa.
II is, however, only within few years
that the physical welfare of children
in the public schools has received any
where near the attention that its inn
portance demands.
Some CT the conditions and needs al
feeting health of the children have
been presented in the discussion oil
other topics; but the subject is so vital
and the needs untouched so great that
we here present a special discussion.
No child can do satisfactory WORK III
school who does not eat suitable food,
get sufficient sleep and avoid certain
practices alarmingly common among
pupils.
Many of the failures among girls are
traceable to disregard of simple rules
of hygiene, improper eating, TOO niue
sleep and excessive social engage
ments majority of the boys VINO
fail are boys who are allowed TO De up
on the street at will and are addicted TO
one or more of the vicious habits ina,
seriously threaten both their heaith
and their morals.
Cigarette smokers are almost ihNaii-
ably deficient in mental ana moran do
well as physical power.
Judge Crane of the Harlem, n. L.
noliee court affirms that SO out OF every
100 of the boys who are brought before
him CHARGED with crimes ranging from
slight u,tsdemeanors to burglary, hlgn-
xay robbery and murder have on theif
fneers the yellow stain which shows
them 10 be cigarette smokers. me
;udpe,s experience has convinced MIN
NAT the cigarette habit is ruinous To
he mental and moral as well as to the
hodiIv health of growing boys. the
of experienced teachers
- N che same conclusion. In view
,e these facts we cannot too strongly
urge Gardiner parents to use every
fort tn check this evil, when. 10
greater extent than they are aware 10
"a stening itself upon their boys.
Besides these defects in training anu
habits there is prevalence OF eoiie.
lions that demands medicai at,eh'ion
An,ong these are defects of VISION anu
hearing. adenoids, and the existence Vi
infectious or contagious diseases.
In this discussion do not imply
.hat conditions among Gardner pupiis
AFRO more serious than in the aVefase
community where special efforts IiaNe
NOT heen made to improve them 1hes
arc probably less serious than IN man
ufa cturing cities where the pcpuiatioii
is largely foreign and the nome coiiui
lions less favorable. My purpose
nrcsent fairly a serious need thas 10
not generally recognized. ~
In 1909 the Legislature OF Maine ~
recognition of these needs OF schooi
children, passed an act autiloIiAin7
towns and cities to provide LOT the ep
noinfment of school physicians "hoso
duties. specified in the act, are niaiii's
superyision of sanitary conoitioRs
school buildings and examination ~
ecbaol children-those for whom 1heoi-
cal treatment is found necessary peihs
referred to the family physician
through parents or guardian. o,,
D,,rine the wear ending June l, l9li'
40 scbonl physicians were employed Ill
,ha state and 1889 children were eA-
mined. Twelve per cent. we're found
defective in vision and four per eene'
in hearing. During 1912, 52eS chliotei
we're referred to family physicians roa
sone disease or physical defect. Inc
700 cost 10 towns and cities was
little over 800 for each physician.
recommend petition TO 'ae cry
council for authority to appoint
school physician and for an approprla-
tion to meet the necessary expense.