Norwich bulletin., 1921-09-29

at noon at the Wauregan house by Rev Dr. ]. H. Selden, president of the Red Cross, who spoke Of what had been ac- complished in the past year in the health programme in the schools ana outlined what extension of thls IS aim ed at for the coming year under the town health board. He told the Rotar- ians that the annual town meeting IS to asked to make an appropriation oi s7.5oo for this health work in the schools. If this sum is granted the Red Cross will undertake the very in- portant worE of dental and oral hy- giene.
 Dr. Selden and Miss Edith NJ. Rock well, the new executive, secretary of the Norwich Red Cross chapter, were the guests of the club and had seats at the head table with Richard L. Tar rant, who presided in the absence of President Lucius Briggs, who Is at- tending the Rotary convention at Po- land Springs. Me
 pr. Selden Speaks.
 When introduced by Chairman Tar" rant, Dr. Selden spoke as follows:
 Just year ago you gave one an op- portunity of presenting to the Rotary Club what was described as & New Health Program for Norwich. I shall be very glad to tell you today some thnig of what has been accomplished huring the past year, and of the ad- vanced step which ought soon to be undertaken.
 An essential feature and, as some of us felt, the first step in this new health program was the transference of the , nursing service for school children from the jurisdiction of the Town School Board to that of the Town Health Of Ncer, as was provided in the State Statutes. This movement was misun- derstood in some quarters. It was not undertaken in any spirit of criticism of the school board. But it was felt that th~ scope of their work was too limit ed, for their overnight was strictyl con- fined to the pupils in the public schools This ms~nt in Norwich that one thirC l of all he boys and girls of school agt would be denied the advantage of train ed, organized supervision. It was evi dent that no system of inspection would 1 be effective unless all the children wer' | included.
 This very significant step was taker at the town meeting of last year wheI this transfer was made. In January 1920, as you will remember, with the ap provsl of the school board, the Red Cros had supplied two additiona! schoo nurses. Last October this enlarged worl was taken over by the town health off cer, who associated with himself as al advisory committee Dr. Brophy, the cit. health officer, Mir. Graham, Superintend ent of public schools, Miss Faith Lea vens, representing the nursing service 0 | the United Worker, Mir. James Mac pherson, chairman of the public welfar committee of the Chamber of Commerce and Mrs. W. T. Taiglen, representint the Red Cross. Through the past yea the nursing service has been conducte by Miss Albertine, Miss Derr and Mis- Moriarity with marked efficiency.
 The first advanced step of the presen year was a thorough medical inspectt0 of all children of school age, made b four physicians of Norwich, Dr. L Pierre, Dr. Blackmar, Dr. Driscoll an DF Cassidy The findings of the phys iciaTs were recorded on a series of cards one for each pupil. A report was sen by the nurses to the parents of the pu pilN calling attention to the physics defects discovered by this inspection The value of this inspection in givin direction and increased efficiency to tn work of the school nurses will be obviou to you all
 The expense connected with this med ical inspection was met by funds suI piled by the Red Cross.
 It has long been recognized that spe< ial attention shouA1 be given to kh mouth conditions of the boys and girl Nearly all the infections which caus {, toA mouth. Nothing, therefore, is more im l portant that scrupulous care of the teet and mouth.
 After repeated consultations with tn town health officer and his committee
 was decided that the first step in tn direction of dental and oral hygiene va } dental survey as mopete as possibl showing the mouth conditions of our boy and girls. The necessary funds wer again supplied by the Red Cross, and D Kirbey undertook this important servic The results of the medical inspectis and of the dental survey are presente on the card in your hands.
 When this summary was made by Mis Albertine. I confess I was appalled, b the conditions revealed. Nearly half all the boys and girls show physic; defects, some of them of a very sericl nature, certain. unless corrected, to ma erially handicap them in later life. ( the $500 pupils not more than 300 haN sound t~~th ar1 clean mouths. I SUI pose heI4 is 10 be found an explan; ton of the fact that over 800 childre are known to have diseased tonsils an adenods and nearly 300 show evidenc of infected glands.
 . On consulting Dr. Prest of New Tor ; one of the most eminent authorities matters connected with public health,
 was assured that conditions in Norwic are not worse than those prevailing other communities without an adequat health policy. But this gave to me, as think it will to you, very small comfor Norwich ought 70 have an adequa health policy. We have no right to pe init these conditions to continue, an when the facts are known I think tf good people of Norwich will not re until they have done every thing in the power to assure to the boys and gir of this community tkat indispensab condition of fair start in life, soun
 healthy bodies.
 In speaking of new health progra
 for Norwich I beg you to note that V
 do not overlook, least of all discredi
 the splendid service rendered by the VI rious departments of the United Wor
 CTS. cannot escape the feeling tn
 Norwich in the past has failed to a
 preciate the broad and generous woI
 of their organization. It deserves yo,
 full confidence and should receive ge
 erous support. Eearly in November t
 United Workers plan a general campai;
 for the funds required by it's enlargil
 work. trust the response of Norwi
 may be prompt and generous.
 But many of us feel, and I am su
 you will sympathize with us, that t I sR AA