The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-24

BeSSemer, January 2S.-(Special.)- The health department has compiled d report of the examinations of pupils of the grammar schools of Bessemer con- dueted during December, which has been submitted to the board of educa- ton. The report follows:
 Children attending the three white schols, Clarendon, Roberts and Vance. were examined during the current month; those of the first four grades received examinations by local phy- sicians, wno served as representatives of the county board of health, and the children of all grades were weighed and measured.
 Among the latter group, those chill dren who were 10 per cent or more below normal weight were either ex- amined by a physician or in the ao- sence of a physician, were instructed by a nurse to go to the family physi- elan for a thorough physical exam nation.
 Seventy three and five-tenths per cent of the children examined were found to have one or more physical defects, the most common of when were teeth and tonSils, vision. cerVicat glands, defective nasal breathing ana hearing. These were the obvious ana easily discoverable defects and repre-
 
 those which a more thorough examina- tion might disclose.
 A notification blank was filled out ln triplicate naming the defects Iouno in each case, the original of which was sent home by the children to parents or guardian, one copy left with the teacher and the third retained for the use of the school nurse in the 1oliow- up work to be undertaken later. In most cases brief instruction was given to the child in personal hygiene indi- cated by the nature of the defect dis covered.
 The percentage of children showing vaccination scars increases rapidly from the lower grades to the upper. In the first two grades in the three schools, only 30.6 per cent of the chill dren have scars; in the third and fourth grades, 71.6 per cent and in the fifth, sixth and seventh grades. S6.1 per cent. The statement of the children as to the presence of scars was accepted and examination of the arm made only in cases of doubt. Care was taken to make sure the children understood the meaning of the ques- tion
 All children attending the three schools during the month were weighed and measured and scored ac- cording to the standard weights and heights issued by the federal bureau of education, United States depart ment of the interior. Particular at tention is directed to the table show ing the numbers and percentages of the children who are 10 per cent or more below their normal weight, ar ranged by schools, by grades and by sex. The very large proportion in this group as compared to the numbers found in many other cities and com munities makes it seem important to give the matter thorough study in or der to determine. the cause or causes Further examinations of these chil- dren have been urged, and it has been suggested that hookworm tests be made upon this group A few of the children are 25 to 30 pounds under weight.
 The records have been classified for the three schools by age groups, show Ing a wide range in age distribution for the seven school years, 6 to IS years. The age, years has been &C., cepted as the normal for admission to the regular work of the public school. The records show that 229 children are retarded two or more years and 50 are retarded for three or more years
 Ihe presence of backward children In such numbers is strong indication of need for special mental tests and consideration of their separation in