The Washington times., 1915-03-31
SCHOOLS MAY CHECK
EP|DEM|C'S SPREAD
U. S. Bureau of Education Urges
They Be Kept Open During
Outbreak Of Disease.

The wisdom OF closing schools In cpl
denies Of contagious diseases Is ques-
toned by Dr. Francis George Curtis, of
Newton, Mass. in a bulletin just issued
by the United States Bureau OF Educa-
tion.
'If the schools are closed when an
outbreak OCCURS" he said. "the children
are turned loose from supervision they
mingle freely with one another on the
streets. on Fairgrounds. and in each
others houses"
This bulletin. following closely upon
the recommendation Of the Public Health
Service that fullest publicity be given
to all epidemics in cities, as being an
effective aid to quarantine, Is expected
to attract wide attention.
DR.. Curtis further points out that the
children. when schools are closed, "are
having an extra vacation and enjoying
themselves thoroughly, and arc unwill-
ing to admit that they feel i'll, lest they
be kept home and prevented from hav-
ing good time For this reason they
will not say they feel Ill until the dis
case Is we'll advanced, and they may
be active sources OF infection for some
time before II Is discovered that they
are ILL.,"
School May Checked Spread.
When schools are kept open and chill
dren are In the class rooms as usual.
DR.. Curtis argues. they arc under
strict observation. and are examined
daily by school physicians, and sus-
picious and infectious cases are sent
home for treatment or observation.
In this way, 1t is contended. the
ing the spread OF epidemics. But this
Is only feasible. 1t is pointed out. in
cities or towns where school physicians
and school nurses are employed. In
other communities the closing OF the
schools still seems the best way to
which have no provision for medical In
spection are regarded as far behind
tho time.
Just how his suggestion works is ex-
planned more fully by DR.. Curtis. Tie
states:
I'm this way many children are sent
home before they have had an oppor-
tunity to infect others, thus reducing
the probability Of spreading infection.
, Further than this the attention of the
parents Is called to the fact that the
child is feeling Ill and he is brought
under earlier treatment.
Best Chance of Safety.
IL occiiio' tucTcIore, uldt keeping the
schools open offers the best chance OF
safety for the pupils. both collectively
and individually.
Instead Of closing the schools and
allowing the children to be scattered
and removed from supervision, when
an outbreak occurs, the schools should
be kept open and tho children urged
| to attend. The schools nurse and physl.
cion should be detailed to the school
where the outbreak has appeared and
| instructed to examine every child daily
excluding such as appear Ill or sus-
picious.
This can be done with little disturb.
| ance of school work A note must be
sent to the parent stating that the child
seems or is i'll and must be seen by
the family physician. Suspicious cases
| must be ordered to remain at home un-
| til further notice and If necessary must
! be visited to settle the diagnosis. Alb
sentees must be rounded up and ex.
amined In order to find out why they
have been kept at home II they are
| i'll they must be isolated and IL well
| ,Irpa1 IN IN QOhnpl