The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1916-12-07
SEX EXAMINATIONS BY
TEACHERS AN ISSUE
BEFORE THE STATE
Dr. Parsons of Sioux Falls at State Teachers Meet
ing Divulges Such Examinations by Prof.
Jones of State University, Chiefly
Upon Young Women Stud
ents- Discussion In
vited.

has not studied medicine. He is doing
tains that it is work that educators
should do.
DT. Parsons Statcnc-'-.
In response to = reque~'
Republican, D.. Par9.s ls&Ge TIC
following statement in writing:
Replying to your request for a
statement regarding the discussion
which occurred in the School Hygiene
Assn. meeting at Watertown last
week. l take pleasure in giving the
following:
For several years I have strongly
advocated the Health Supervision OF
Schools. which involves the making
of physical examinations of pupils
for the purpose of detecting any de-
fects which might be obstacles TO
progress in school.
Such examinations are made in
all the large cities, and, with the eX-
ception of some of the very simple
tests, such as those of vision and
hearing which teachers can make,
thesecXaminations are made by COM
petent physicians, whom the state has
licensed to practice and who are
therefore responsible to the state for
their conduct.
My advocacy of Health Supervis-
ion as a public health measure has
been warmly supported by the med
ical profession, who for several years
have chosen me to direct the work
of Public Health Education in this
state. as chairman of the committee
for that purpose for the S. D. State
Medical Association.
"In connection with this work
was actively instrumental in forming
the S. d. School Hygiene association
which, is part of the S. D. Educational
Assn, and whose meetings have been
attended by number of prominent
educators.
Examinations at Nolmals
Late last spring l was informed
upon good authority that Prof. Jones,
of the Department of Education at
the State University at Vermillion
had been at the Spearfish Normal
School, and that while there had been
making examinations of students, in
Guiding examinations of the organs
of sex.
Had this information been given
me by any other than an honored
colleague l should have thought 1T
incredible.
However, the evidence seemed so
strong that l Immediately wrote to
the President of the University, urg-
ing that an investigation be made,
both for the sake of the good name
of the university. and also for the
sake of the reputation of Prof. Jones.
Some time elapsed before matters
were brought 10 a focus, during
which time the Regents had received
from other quarters similar COM
plants. During this same period l
learned that similar examinations
had been made at the Madison Nor
NAL.
that Prof. Jones, who is not a
physician, and is not licensed to
practice, had been making examina-
lions of the organs of sex in girls in
different places.
Demands Investigation.
81 accordingly made further de-
mand for investigation by the Uni
iversity authorities, and was inform
| ed that Prof. Jones would not make
lany further examinations of this
mature. !.
II Shortly after this l received q
11eter from Prof. Jones who hat
Ilearned of my protest. in which let
tier he stated in substance that The
Educational Clinician' (as he style!
himself could not neglect to eX
anime the genitalia for their edu
cational significance that the Edu
! cational Clinician' must have FIRST
HAND EVIDENCE of the condition
of the genitalia.' (Caps mine)
Taking Prof. Jones own writer
admission of his position in the mat.
ter together with evidence from
other sources into consideration.
felt it my duty, as president of the
School Hygiene Assn. to make an
impersonal comment on the handling
of sex problems. counseling mem.
bers to go Slow and unqualifiedly