The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1921-12-04
BALLOU POINTS
TO HEALTH aim
AMONG PUPILS
Further Authority Asked
For Development of
Physical Training.


Continued from Page Que.
the basis of credits for physical ed
ueatlon and training should be on
the results attained, and he be-
lieves that attainment or mainte-
nance of a satisfactorily standard of
health should cover the pupils nor
NAL weight. freedom from physical
defects. actual practice of health
habits and ability to perform pre-
scribed gymnastics or exercises
without undue fatigue.
Modification. Favored.
DR.. BaIlou recommends that the
physical training course in the high
schools be modified to conform to
these principles, so that the high
school graduates may be both phys
icaily and mentally better prepared
for future usefulness.
The Health Department of the
District is in complete control OF
the discovery and treatment of de-
fects of pupils in the public schools.
The report reads that the staff con-
sists of a chief medical and SAM
tary inspector who. under direction
VI Lnc nedlln SePNA
vises the work of his staff consis-
ting Of twelve medical inspectors
who serve part time, four dental
inspectors on part time, eight den
tai operators. four prophylactic
operators and ten nurses.
Each health inspector averaged
fourteen examinations of pupils out
of a count of 29.544 examinations
performed. the majority of which
were only diagnosed by special
symptoms noted by the teacher
The report declares that with this
limited stair it is not possible to
examine systematically all pupils
in the school system yearly.
The health school to he erected
in place of the old Hamilton School
will afford splendid health and
educational service for a large
number of pupils who are now at
tending regular schools and who If
examined would be found to have
tuberculosis, according to the re-
port.
Children Under Weight.
Or. BalIou stresses the impor-
tanCe of Weighing and measuring
all children to show their nutri-
tionaI condition. Careful surveys
show that from 20 per cent to 80
per cent of all school children that
10 per cent are underweight.
An educational and corrective
program has been proposed for the
solution of poor nutrition. This
would consist Of fedinE at inter
walls. rest. during the school periods.
physical examinations and the in
StructiOn of both child and parent
in the cause and remedy of poor
nutrition
Clinics at six public schools were
carried on during the past year
with the assistance Of the Associa-
ton for the Prevention of Tuber-
culOsis. which furnished the serv-
ices Of two trained nutrition work.
ers. and contributed all necessary
literature. charts and other sup
plies. The average gain in weight
for the classes as whole was
147.2 per cent of the expected nor
NAL gain. These clinics have I'M
doubtedly made a lasting impress
sion upon the minds of the under
weight children who were privi-
legged to attend them. and will do
much to influence for better health
their future habits and lives. This
work should be extended, and a
sufficient force of medical inspec-
tors. nurses and nutrition workers
provided so that all undernourished
children may benefit.
OF the mentally retarded chill
dren examined during the past year,
out of 10. 35.S per cent were classi-
fed as not mentally deficient: A
per cent bordering on mental de-
hciency. and 1913 per cent as feeble
minded. out of these 10 pupils.
% per cent were further diagnosed
as having cOngenital word blind
ress
Because Of the inability of a medi-
cal inspection force of such small
proportion the number of retarded
pupils in the schools is far in ex-
cess of those examined. The report
states that this work properly be-
longs in a department of educa-
tional research.
Much Teeth Dcfectivenes.
Approximately 80 per cent Of the
public school pupils of Washington
were examined by four dental in
spectors this year and the reports
showed a large percentage of teeth
effectiveness.
With these conditions existing
among school pupils it is plainly
evident that a great Increase In
educational. prOphylactic and cor
receive work is needed for their
Improvement, the report states
Six per cent of the average en-
rOllment OF the graded schools were
treated at the four school dental
clinics. receiving an average of 3.25
filings. 1.16 eNtractions. 1928 other
operations, and .23 anaesthetics per
pupil treated
These clinics have been unable
70 handle the work requested
. thousands Of requests were re-
cetved which could not be reached
during the year. In the majority
OF these cases the pupils needing
treatment have received none, as
the parents have waited. expecting
future appointments, or were I'M
able to pay. The majority OF
pupils treated would not have re-
ceived treatment otherwise
The educational efficiency of the
schools will be increased by those
clinics. which will bring about bet
ter health. fewer illnesses and alb
sences, better discipline and better
concentration through the relief OF
physical discomfort ard disabiIi-
ties. il is stated.
The report states further that
with the increasing nursing needs
and increasing work to be done.