Newark post., 1921-03-16
PHYSICAL DEFECTS
OF DELAWARE
SCHOOL CHILDREN
Ninety Per Cent Need-Medica]
Attention According to
Recent Survey

S~AVSy
A report of THE medical insnec-
ton of pupils in the public schools
of Delaware has just been made
to the State Board of Education
of Delaware by DIR. Gilbert s.
Osncup, medical director for the
Board, whose service in Delaware
was made possible Through the
courtesy of the United States
Public Health Service.
The report shows that of the
5000 school children examined up
to date, over 900 have been
found to be suffering from some
physical defect.
About rs per cent are suffering
from dental defects, and about 23
per cent have some defect i'm
vision. Approximately 20 per
cent are suffering from diseased
tonsiIs and from adenoids, the
latter being the commonest defect
found.
The conclusion drawn by DR..
Osncup I'M his report is that a
permanent State aid organization
to carry out physical examinations
of school children and follow-up
work in the homes is necessary
for the future welfare of the
State.
Nutrition classes in the schools
are also recommended. The ex-
aminer said that 80 per cent of
those examined were found to be
suffering from malnutrition. A
hot dish for the children to- eat
with the lunch they carry from
home to school is also recon-
mended. The Red Gross has ap-
propriated $1,000 ror equipment
for this purpose In 20 schools.
These 20 schools will be selected
from among those where the
teachers have manifested dis
position to cooperate in the work,
and where conditions are such as
to make the work necessary. The
pupils will be supplied with the
necessary equipment and instruct
ed in the preparation of hot
dishes, which for the present will
consist of cocoa, cream soups,
vegetable soups, etc. The parents
of children who are able to do so,
are expected to pay something
toward meeting this expense.
More nurses are needed for the
organization to carry out the state
system of school examinations,
DR.. Osincup says. At least eleven
will be needed to cover the state
once a year. DR.. Osigcup's re-
port is in part as follows:
"Inasmuch as the visual defects
constitute a large percentage OF
all defects found, lit would be ad.
visaIble to undertake some method
of correcting these in the schools
The following plan would solve
this problem:
"A unit would 'be organized o1
an eye, ear, nose and throa'
specialist and nurse. They
should be supplied with easily
portable equipment for testing
eyes. They would visit every
school in the State and examine
the eyes of every child. Those
found to be in need of glasses
would be advised of this fact ans
their parents consulted. If tht
parents were willing to obtain
glasses for their child at theil
own expense, this could be dome
If they were not willing to- incui
any expense, glasses could be pre-
scribed and furnished at cost
Arrangements could be made will
some local firm to supply glasse
at a very low figure and the.
would be willing TO send a ma7
with the Unit to fit such glasse
to the individual child. If such
Unit were established we woul'
then have the means of correcting
two of the commonest detect
with which we have to deal
namely, the teeth and the eyes.
"The third commonest defect
tonsils and adenoids, can be easll
corrected with the cooperation %
the child health centers, provided
Of course, their existence Is con
tinued.
by these means we would b
able to correct approximately 3
per cent of all the defects. 1t is
+ Program which, if carried oud