Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1915-05-14
UNDUE EXCITEMENT
Sanitary Conditions at Schools Excellent
No Epidemic OF Diphtheria. Every Pre-.
caution Beng Made
To the Public:

To the Public;
School officials feel that parents are
unduly excited about sanitary condi-
tions in and about the Israel Putnam
school and it is thought that all inter-
ested parties should have truthful
statement that may be stamped as Of
fetal The board has Investigated,
made careful inquiries and has dis
cussed the matter fully.
After careful consideration it has
been deemed an unwise step TO close
the school and scatter the infection, if
the infection is there. 1t has seemed
wiser TO keep the school open, TO
elothe the medical inspector with
greater authority and by careful in
spection and thorough examination in
doubtful cases to single cut the carrier
or carriers and by so doing stamp out
the epidemic.
Sanitary precautions are being taken
everywhere. The basement of the Is
rael Putnam building is clean and
sweet, the only odor noticeable eeing
the odor of disinfectants. The closets
are clean, dry, free from odors of any
sort, other than of machine disinfec-
tants, and the plumbing is tight and
gas proof. If medical authorities were
inclined to recognize poor sanitary con.
ditions as means of spreading diph-
thereto infection, such conditions do
not exist. The sanitary conditions in
the Israel Putnam school are surpris-
ingly good, though not perfect.
Dismissing then, the discussing of
sanitary conditions, we may properly
take up health conditions as shown by
the examination of the inspector,
which examination has been of neces-
sity more or less superficial. The con-
ditions noted are conditions that SUI
veal. Diseased tonsils, adenoids, weak
eyes, poor teeth, and anaemia cases
were found. The anaemia cases are
cases where there seems to be pre-
disposition to tubercular disorders.
Such cases as were noticed are remedi-
able and should receive immediate at
tention at the hands of the parents.
1t was thought that this examina.
ton would bring to light disease car.
riers, individuals who might carry in.
fiction without themselves having the
dfspaca in onpaoraroa Nh roo cpal,
cases were detected, were excluded
from school, and the parents were
warned. These cases are under sur.
VIGILANCE.
1t is generally regarded as has been
said as better judgment in cases Of
diphtheria epidemics to keep schools
open and the pupils together where
they may be kept under observation,
and suspicious cases isolated, than TO
close schools and by scattering chill
dren to increase the chances of infec-
ton. This will explain why the school
is still open.
Teachers, the superintendent, the
janItor, and the medical inspector are
constantly on the alert and the public
need have no fear of lack of attention
CT negligence.
Sidewalk rumor should receive no
credence. Pupils who have been kept
from school by parents as measure of
precaution ought not to be permitted
by their parents to visit other schools
and orders have been issued to the
teachers of the other schools not to al
low auch pupil visitors.
The following is summary of med
ical inspection TO date:
Number examined POS
Number of cases Impetigo %
do Auenoids IL
Disposed to Tubercular disorders:
Cultures taken 40
Reported negative l66
Carriers detected and excluded 3
Number of cases week eyes 3
do enlarged tonsils Is
do anaemia s
Reported doubtful
Reported positive
Respectfully submitted,
H. w. Files Superintendent.