Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1917-02-23
Signed,


themselves, employing the family physi-
clan. hospital or dispensary.
The securing of parental cooperation.
A personal invitation from the superin-
tendent Of schools or the health officer to
the parents to visit the school and be
present at the examination of their chill
dren, goes far toward bringing the patron
into touch with the system.
The law in many States specifies that
unless the examination is made by a
woman physician. the parents shall be
present at the examination Of female chill
dren. Although at first this seems to be
stumbling block. it is blessing in dis
guise and brings many mothers to the
school. most Of whom 60 away impressed
by the unquestionable service which health
supervision offers
There are many district schools which
are very remote from centers and often
have only handful Of pupils. II is i'm
possible to supply complete facilities for
proper examination in each of these
schools, and visit to them with mere
cursory inspection often makes q blot on
an otherwise admirable record Institut-
ing "A Health Day" has been found to
meet this problem with an encouraging
degree Of success. A Saturday in the early
fall or spring is chosen; the farmers come
bringing their children the health super
vision system is explained and the exami-
nations are made.
The question of expense Is next to be
considered. In the small communities the
administration officers are not particularly
eager to initiate any measures calling for
extraordinary expense. endeavoring to
keep their budget as low as possible. In
looking up the matter. find from thirteen
cents to two dollars per child placed as the
cost. A physician should examine twenty
five children day. that would be fifteen
minutes per child, as an average. A total
enrolment Of 1000 and a complete physi-
cal examination every two years would
make $500 to be examined annually,
which would take no days to 60 over the
county. II two dollars per hour was al
lowed the examiner as per our account. the
cost would be $i400. This should give us
an excellent system. Seven hundred dol
lars would give us much better than we
have. II has been demonstrated TO be
practical and economical wherever started,
so why not start in Montgomery county
There is false idea Of economy.
What other States are DOING
California adopted 1909. Permissive
Law, administered by school authorities.
II provides for health and development
supervision Of teachers and pupils. In
spections may be either by physicians or
educators.
Colorado. Law mandatory. Applies to
all public schools. Administered by school
authorities. Teachers or principals test
sight. hearing and breathing annually.
School authorities report to parents mem
tai. moral and physical defects discovered.
District Of Columbia. 1917. Mandatory
to all public schools. Administered by
health authorities Physical examination
for contagious diseases. sanitary conditions
Of buildings. may also examine teachers
and janitors.
New Jersey, 1919. Law mandatory for
all public schools. Administered by the
school authorities. Physicians conduct
physical examinations including sight and
hearing tests. Defects reported to parents.
Physicians deliver hygienic lectures to
teachers. Parents or guardians may be pro-
ceeded against as disorderIy persons for
failure to remove any defect which may
exclude child from school.
West Virginia. Law mandatory in cities
and permissive in country districts. Ad-
ministefed by school authorities. Physi-
clans inspect children with contagious
diseases. Physicians conduct physical ex-
aminations annually. School nurses may
be employed.
Maine. Administered by health authori-
ties. Law mandatory. Limit Is 1000 chill
dren to a physician. Physicians inspect
children for contagious diseases. may ex-
anime teachers. janitors and building. Test
sight and hearing annually.
Louisiana. Board Of health has force Of
law. Administered by school authorities
Principal Of each school makes monthly
report on physical condition Of children
and sanitary condition Of buildings. Prin-
cipals and teachers exclude children suf
ferine from contagious diseases.
J. W. BIRD. M. D..
Sandy Spring, Md.