South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-02-03
URGE MEDICAL
INSPECTION IN
C!TY'S SCHOOLS
DrS. B. Bowel of LapOrte and
J. w. MiIIigan of Michigan
City Speak at Meeting al
High School.

Medical inspection for children in
the schools Of South Bend was strong
~ advocated in the addresses by DIR.
h. Bowel of Laporte and DR.. j. w
Milligan Of Michigan City and in the
general discussion of the question by
local physicians and educators at the
high school last night.
Although no definite action was
taken, the necessity of medical in
spection and of segregation of back
ward students in the local schools
was presented in such a convincing
manner that it is probable that a
movement will result that will event
ually mean the adopting of the plan
here
DIR. Bowel. who has had consider
able experience among the insane and
the feeble minded OF state institu
tions, gave an exhaustive survey of
the different classes of the detectives.
of what is being done for them at the
present time, and of the ways of
remedying the conditions in this
country
Education T. Needed.
1T took the examples offered by
the Iroquois fire" said Or. Bowel.
ito enforce safety in public buildings;
1t required a Titanic disaster TO en-
force safety in ocean traffic; and it
Will require a thorough course of edu-
cation for the public to know of the
dangers existing in public health, to
bring about a remedy.
I'VE are appalled, by reports OF the
loss of $4,000 men in war, but we re-
main unmOved by the loss Of thous-
ands every year through diseases
which are easily preventah!e.
our army OF detectives is many
times greater than our United States
army, our navy, and all Of our stu
dents attending schools, colleges and
universities. The cost of feeding.
clothing and sheltering this army
amounts to billions of dollars each
year, and this cost is paid by the peo-
pie.
Authorities say that the age of
criminality is from 16 to 20, so our
problem is one of taking proper care
Of our young that our aged may be
able TO care for themselves.
Criminals are Defective.
"One-half of the criminals arrested
in the United States, and nearly all of
the prostitutes are either physically
or mentally defective. An over
whelming percentage Of our inefficient
Vironment suffering from conditions
vented.
"Eficiency's two greatest foes, alco-
hol and syphilis, exist because of the
cowardise of the state. the church
and of society The church is too
busy teaching salvation TO those al
ready saved to pay much attention to
the young Our school boards are
too busy attending to finances to learn
the needs OF the developing child.
Society is too intoxicated with it's own
Importance to care whether the young
are mentally defective or not.
Medical inspection in the schools
and scientific care of the scholars ac-
cording to their needs is one sure So
luton Of the problem OF inetficiency
and degeneracy. The 9S percent Of
the children who are able to advance
In their studies should not be retard-
ed by the two percent who are back
ward, and this great majority should
be given their chance by inspecting
all, and giving those found TO be men
tally deficient special instruction in
segregated classes"
Dr. AIilligan, who led in the discus
sion following the address. quoted
statistics showing that alcohol is the
cause of the majority of the prisoners
being sent to the states prison at
Michigan City with which DR.. AIilli-
gan is connected. He recommended
the passing of laws prohibiting the
sale of liquor as one method of de-
creasing degeneracy.
According to the statement of Supt
i. j. MONTGOMERY. who gave a short
talk on local conditions, the consen-
sus of opinion, as expressed by a
large number OF local physicians and
others interested in the question,
favOrs medical inspection here. He
stated that the $50 defective children
III local schools were a great hind
rance to the others. and should be
given special consideration.
The meeting was held under the
auspices Of the St Joseph County
Medical association, Or. w. L. owen
presiding.