Norwich bulletin., 1914-12-22
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
School Inspeetion.

Mir. Editor: The rapid increase in the cost of school inspection through out the republic is alarming many cit- izens who view with some concern the systematic effort of organized rnedi- cal interests to fasten an ever-increas- ing army of salared officials on muni- cipal, state and national government. School inspection, according to these people, affords case in point, and att tention is called to the fact that the health authorities of New York are asking for $554,610 for school inspec- tion for the next year, which is $123,- 7S0 more than the appropriation for 1914
 School inspection is said to be in its infancy. Its introduction was se- cured in most instances on the plea that it would enable the health au- thorities to stamp out or reduce to a minimum common contagious diseases which were annually casuing the need less death of a great number of chill dren. It was plausibly urged that the schools were the centers for the spread of contagion, and that medical examin- ation would probably detect these dis eases and reduce them to minimum,
 Accepting these claims, great cities like New York and Chicago introduc- ed compulsory inspection; yet the vii tai statistics of these cities, during re- cent years, since the introduction of this innovation, seem to sustain the charge that inspection has sisnally' failed to accomplish the promised re- suits. In New York, for example, off, cial tables for diphtheria, scarlet fever, smallpox, whooping cough, croup and humps, from 1903 to 1912, inclusive, show that in the first named year these cases aggregated 49,074. Every suc- eeeding year shows an increase over these figures. until 1912, when the to- tai number of cases was S1,116.
 NI4sz H.. tables for these diseases during the past six years, the cases in 1906 az gregated 20,242. Every succeeding year shows steady and marked increase in these figures, until 1913, when the cases aggregated SS,039.
 In these cities, notwithstanding the annual appropriation for inspection, contagious diseases were not reduced to minimum, as promised, rather was there a steady increase, greater than could be reasonably expected from the increase of population; and this is all the more surprising in view of the steadily improved sanitary conditions of city life.
 The reason that school inspection fails to accomplish what has been claimed for it, also, the reason, as shown by the foregoing figures, that in- stead of reducing, it tends to increase is found in the fact that fear is a most prevalent source of disease. That fear is the cause and basis of disease Is being more and more recognized, and furthermore, for a. long time this has been known and acknowledged by physicians.
 In the light of an understanding of this, it surely is inconsistent to at- tempt to-. handle the problem pre- sented by sickness and disease, with a physical examination of pupils accord ing to the prevailing methods of school inspection. It must apeal to the req son of all thinking people, that only harm can result from acquiring chiI- dren, at the age when the child mind is supposed to be most susceptible to impressions, to view pictures and ex- hibits, showing horrible physical con- ditions and listen to discourses rela- tive to the experiences and sufferings of those who contract various dis eases.
 In the study of musical harmony the pupil does not pursue the study of discord, but is taught how to produce harmony. Likewise in mathematics in- struction is not given with respect to error, but how to eliminate error and arrive at the correct and perfect so- lution of a problem.
 If one wishes to maintain a lovinz relationship with another, he does not endeavor to learn of the different cir cumstances which might arise tc cause him to hate that one on the contrary he excludes thoughts ot hatred and goes right on loving.
 In no other branch are we expect ed to investigate and delye deeply in- to that which is disametrically opposed to the subject of our study, therefore a pertinent question may be as tc why this course is taken with respect to the study of health2
 We are fast apprehending that fea1 of punishment never reformed anyone and that reformation only follows g sincere desire to do right or love ol righteousness. It can be as truthfully never can and never will establish his opposite health.
 Norwich. Dec. 21, 1914.