Norwich bulletin., 1915-10-02

and nation to conserve our forests, our water power, our parks and places of scenic beauty. why then. should we not put forth as great an effort to conserve the health of our children and place them. on the threshold of life with a maximum efficiency of all their powers. spiritual, mental and physical. There are many cases of physical defects which if properly treated would result in a great econ- 'on1ic saving to the community and a much greater degree of a health and happiness to the Individual.
 Endorsed by Mothers Congress.
 At recent meeting of the Nation al Congress of Mothers. held at wash- ington. D C.. the following resolu- ton was passed:
 whereas, Medical inspection in schools by physicians and school nursea has lessened the spread of contagious and infectious diseases and has led to the early discovery of physical defects and dental needs: and
 Whereas. such inspection has re- suited in the better health of the pt- pils. and hence better attendance and higher scholarship: therefore be II
 Resolved, That National Congress of Mothers and the parent-teacher asso- ciations urge upon superintendents, school boards. and school patrons. the necessity for expert medical inspection in the schools.
 How Organized and Carried Out.
 A physical examination is made at least once a year. A card record of school building. If a child is found to be In need of medical attention the parents are notified. Tho parent is then at liberty to consult the family physician or do nothing. as he chooses. Many non English speaking parents | ruf1 Olaf1drav. fr, "a Ice are unable to read the reports. Some | reports are lost by the children and many others are unheeded by the par ents Such conditions call for and make. indispensable some system of follow upr method.
 It is the work of the nurse to visit the homes. consult with the parents ! and in this way make an effort to bet | ter conditions. Many cases of pedi- cnlosis and impetigo are allowed to TUT
 for weeks which should be cleaned uI in a few days. After the physical ex. | animation Is completed the nurse
 classifics the. cases, gives nationality
 and Indicates those parents who need | educating only. those who need help \ and those who do nothing without
 ..a. What Others Do.
 After making an investigation o
 the organization of the work in oth. | I ly all have appointed from one to thre' physicians and a school nurse. Stam i ford has two physicians and a nurse expense $1.620.63; Meriden has thre' | physicians and a nurse $250 is paid tl il each physician and s700 to the nurse Il New Britain has three physicians ant a nurse, $250 Is paid to each physician and $500 to the nurse: New Havel
 has two physicians and six nurses, $1. ils200 is paid to each physician and $50 I to each of the T1urses. Middletown em Il .pIoysaone physician and a nurse. tota T expense about S1.00e;s New London em l ploys five physicians who make on l visit a week to each of the building
 in charge; they are paid three dollar "a visit, making a total expense to tn city of $500. They also employ i nurse at a salary of $500.
 In practically all of the places in vestigated the school physician make
 one weekly visit to the buildings as
 signed to him and examines sucl cases as are reported by the nurse O
 principals The nurse devotes all O
 her time to the work
 n Typical Defects Found.
 Below is a list of the defects report
 ed by one school physician. This lis is typical. of what is found in othe school. systems. It includes: Enlarg ed tonsils, defective nasal breathing
 defective teeth. cervical glands, anae
 mia physically sub-normaI. defectiv vision, disease of eye, defective hear in, disease of ear. orthopedic. de ] fects. heart disease. lung troubles. ner
 vous disease, mentally defective, de , feotive speech.