Evening journal., 1915-06-09

A number Of years ago medical in
spection was introduced into the
public schools of Wilmington. The
children we're examined and the rec
ords filed. This is the beginning and
the end. so far as that particular part
of school history is concerned; and
il irresistibly calls to mind the old
nursery rhyme:
"I1l tell you story of Jack and his
dory
And now my story's begun
Ill tell you another of Jack and his
brother
And now my story is done"
Why so vital a duty to the children
of the public schools was suddenly
dropped, is for those in authority in
school affairs to explain. 1t Is
known that physicians. special doc
tors, Oculists and dentists were
more than willing to give their time
and services free on a systematic and
generously arranged plan by which
each man should give so many hours
per week. This spontaneous and
valuable expression of community
spirit was suddenly dashed in a
mysterious way.
Neither in Wilmington nor in the
State is there any law which deals
with school nursing or medical in
spectiOn in any form. With the sani-
tary conditions already outlined in
our public schools, medical attention
would seem doubly important for the
school children in Wilmington.
During the past year under the
direction of the Peoples Settlement,
the children of fourteen of the schools
have been inspected. with results that
show the need for some regular sys-
tenn to be carried out OF the 5000
children examined, 1925 or 35 per
cent, needed attention, and per
cent. of these were judged mentally
deficient. The inspection, valuable
as it was, could not fully succeed
because the examination, being car
ried on by a private organization, was
in no way compulsory The children
were urged, however, to 90 to the dis
pensary to receive free treatment, but
of the 40 per cent. or so per cent. who
responded. and did go. only a rela-
lively small number could afford to
buy the glasses or whatever was
needed. It is interesting to note in
connection with the startlingly low
light percentages in the schoolrooms
(67 per cent of the rooms are be-
low standardl that of the children
needing treatment, practically 80 per
cent. we're eye cases.
It seems worth while to quote in
this connection an editorial which
appeared in THE EVENING JOUR-
NAL after the efforts Of the Peo-
pies Settlement we're under way:
Superintendent Scott is entitled to
the thanks of the community for the
work he has inaugurated. It is not
only valuable but also significant. in
that il supplies a basis for a wider
application Of similar efforts in other
directions. The results attending the
work ought to be compiled in a COM
prehensive report in due time to the
end that the community may know
what has been accomplished in the
way of practical results.
William II. Allen is director of the
Bureau of Municipal Research in New
York city. He wrote a few verses re-
Gently which illustrate the way in
which disease may spread among
school children and teachers. They
are as follows:
MARY had a little cold,
II started in her head:
And everywhere that Mary went
That cold was sure to spread.
"She took it into school one day;
There wasn't any, rule;
II made the children cough and
sneeze
To have that cold in school.
"The teacher tried to drive it out;
She tried hard, but-kerchool
1t didn't do a bit of good
Cause teacher got it, too"
Wilmington has public-spirited
physicians and also public-spirited
laymen and trained social workers
who are glad to cooperate with the
school officials whenever they find an
intelligent basis for action We be-
lieve that Mr.. Scotland, indirectly
the Board of Education if it will
support him as he deserves to be
supported-can furnish that intelli-
gent basis for action"
Physical Culture.
Some system of physical culture
exercise for children in the elemen-
tary schools would greatly add to
their health. Gymnasiums are de-
sirable where they can be provided
but much interesting and healthful
exercise can be gained with mex
pensive equipment in the school yard
or IN the school room. Children love
drills and exercises. particularly II
they are accompanied by music and
much Of the physical culture work
conducted in schools all over the
country at this present day. develops
not only the bodies Of the children
but quickens both the minds and in
genuity to remarkable extent.
we cannot expect that the addi-
ton Of proper physical culture work