The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1917-01-05
CHILDREN'S HEALTH GUARDED

CHILDREN'S HEALTH GUARDED
Attention has also been given to the
health of the children of the nation,
more especially to rural school chill
dren. Over $4,000 children attending
the public schools were examined dur
ing the year in order to determine
their mental status and the causes
and percentage of mental r%etardation
and deficiency. In addition 1000
physical examinations were completed
for the determination of physical de-
fects.
The health of industrial workers has
been safcguarded to a greater extent
than at any time in the past. Studies
have been made of the occupational
hazards of steel workers in many Of
the leading industrial establishments
of the country and insanitary and
harmful conditions corrected. In the
zinc mines of Missouri methods have
been adopted which should go far to-
ward graduating tuberculosis from
that district. Investigations of child
labor and of health insurance have
also been made.
What is regarded as the largest and
most important single undertaking Of
this nature yet inaugurated, the in
vestigation of the pollution of the
Ohio river, is still in progress. Sur
veys Of the Atlantic Coast and New
England watersheds have, however,
been completed and the extent and
effects of their pollution is now
known; this knowledge demonstrates
that federal legislation to prevent the
contamination of water sources is a
necessity.
Better provision for the health of
travellers has been obtained by safe
guarding the water supplies of COM
NOR carriers and through the pro-
mitigation of regulations governing
the transportation of persons suffer
ing from communicable diseases.
Energetic efforts have been made
to prevent the introduction of all com
municable diseases and to control
those already with us. Typhus fever
has been combated at all points on
the Mexican border and disinfection
plants established where the clothing
and persons of all incoming aliens
have been disinfected. At one sta
ton alone, Ell Paso, Texas, $4,000 per-
sons were inspected and treated in
such a ann as to insure their free
dom from this highly fatal infection
Plague eradicative measures at
New Orleans have been continued
) Over 81 900 rodents, the carriers OF
, plague infection, were either trapped
or killed and more than 0 10000 were
;. carefully examined. No human case
of the disease has occurred during the
year. Measures for the control OF
typhoid fever, Rocky Mountain spot.
ted fever, malaria and other infections
have been continued as heretofore ano
) the results obtained have Deer most
! gratifying.
2 In only a single field. the medica
inspection of immigrants, has the
work of the Public Health Service
e shown any diminution during the yean
but this has been compensated for b!
5 the more thorough examination ao.
corded. 48l .270 aliens We're exam
ined for the purpose of determining
' physical and mental defects. OF
; these, 1927 were certified for de
l portation. proportionately a greater
number than has eve been recorded
; The percentage of mental defective
certified is also steadily increasing,
! At the Marine hospitals and RELIEF
stations of the service approximate.
69. 900 beneficiarieS received medica
or surgical treatment. a number
{ greater by 10000 than for any prcvi
, Gus yea.