The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1917-02-01
MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS
IN F0RTY.THREE SCHOOLS
Results of Examinations Of Eyes,
Ears, Nose and Throat Of Pupils In
Bennington Central Supervision
District. John ID. Whittier, District

10 Puplts were examined. Inc foilOwlnJ
r summary is made from the reports
s submitted
4, Number of pupils found defective, 29I
Per cent Of pupils found defective, "a
Number Of boys examined .u.... 43l
c Per cent Of boys found defective. 81
c Number Of girls examined ,,.., a25
: Per cent Of girls found defective, 80
e Pupils defective in one or both
e eyes only .........s,... lSl
a Per cent of all defects due TO eyes "a
Pupils defective in one or both
ears only ............... II
Per cent of all defects due to ears 3
! Pupils defective in nose only... 2G
Per cent of all defects due to nose s
Pupils defective in throat only. II
Per cent Of I'll defects due to throat 20
Pupils defective in two or more
organs (cyes, ears, nose or
thfoat) .'t,.,,...,,,...,... bl
Per cent Of all defects due to two
or more of above ....... II
OF the $50 pupils examined 66 per
cent were considered free of defects in
the above organs; Is per cent were
defective in eyes only; one per cent
were defective in ears only; per cent
were defective in nose only; nine per
cent were defective in throat only; SO
per cent were defective in two or more
organs.
Following the examinations in the
several schools notices were sent to
parents notifying them of the defects
found in their children with a request
that they secure proper medical assist
ance to remedy the same.
1t is very noticeable that several
parents have taken necessary steps To
have their children's eyes treated BY
SPECIALISTS, but as yet no case has been
reported TO the superintendent Of
school where parent has secured nee
essary treatment for the defect in the
throat, the second largest in per cent
of defects of all organs examined.
Each years school work is outlined
to be accomplished by normal healthy
children. 1t is utterly impossible to
expect any child suffering from ply
steal defects to accomplish the Same
amount of work as his healthy class
mate. Therefore, we urge parents
learning of the physical defects Of
their children to secure necessary
medical attendance for them at the
earliest possible moment. Delays may
be costly as regards the health and
general intellect of the child.
Few medical certificates are ever
presented TO the superintendent Of
schools as reason for pupils nom
attendance at school as result Of the
examination Of the eyes, ears, nose or
.hroat. Either the parent does not
eel that the child is suffering from
he defect or he does not feel that the
lefect is serious enough TO warrant
from school work.
The state school laws require chill
lren between ages Of eight and six
cen years to attend school unless they
ave completed the elementary school
work., ar needed for helping support
he family, or are suffering from sick
ess Where parents are negligent
bout securing necessary medical
ssistance for the child suffering from
Effects in the eyes, ears, nose or
hroat and the child is to be compelled
. attend school should not some
leans be provided for furnishing the
ecc8sary treatment 1T town expense7
i justice to the pupil defective in one i.
+ moro Of the above organs bring
his matter TO the attention Of the
'hool patrons.
It is evident that medical inspection
y q practicing physician is one step
ward the solution Of this problem,
It we need the follow up work that
m 80 well be done by the school nurse
: district nurse as has already been
in some larger towns
I'd cities 1t is an impossbility to
,pect that we shall soon have school
rises or district nurses in many of
e Vermont rural districts, for many
.ars 10 come, but it is not out Of the
Of any town in the state
provide medical inspection for their
hool children Results from this
lall expenditure are sure to bring as
cat IL not greater returns than the
me amount Of money expended in
y other way.
School officials should use every
eans possible TO secure the proper
.dical inspection Of the school chill
en- within their respective towns by
e or more practieing physicians.
hoo patrons should do all In their
wer TO see that necessary support is
zen the article in the town warrant
, see IL the town will instruct the
aool directors 10 provide medical in