Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-03-09
SCHOOL CH|LDREN'S
PHYSICAL DEFECTS
U. S. Health Service Survey
Shows 90 Per Cent Need
Medical Attention.

Following "A medical inspection Of tho
pupils in the public schools of Della
ware, made by the Public Health Ser
vice OF the United States, DIR. Gilbert j.
Osincup has made IA report to the Dela
ware State Board of Education. show
ing that of 5000 so far examined, over
90 per cent have been found to be suf-
ferlng from some physical defect.
About 75 per cent are suffering from
dental defects. and about % per cent
have some defect in vision Approx
mately 20 per cent arc suffering from
diseased tonsils and from adenoids. tho
latter being the commonest defect
found.
The conclusion drawn by DR. Osin-
cup in his report is that n permanent
State paid organization TO carry out
physical examinations of school chill
dren and follow-up work in tho homes
is necessary for the future welfare OF
rhe State.
Nutrition Glasses in the schools are
also recommended. The examiner said
that 80 per cent of those examined were
found to be suffering from malnutritfon.
A hot dish for the children to eat with
the lunch they carry from home TO
school is also recommended. The Red
Cross has appropriated $1,000 for equip
ment for this purpose IN 20 schools.
These 20 schools will be selected from
among those whero the teachers have
manifested a disposition 10 cooperate
in the work and where conditions are
such aa to make the work necessary
Tho pupils will be supplied with the
necessary equipment and Instructed in
the preparation OF hot dishes. which for
- sr.uf ufgR
SOUPS. vegetable soups. etc. The par
ents of children who arc able to do SO.
are expected to pay something toward
meeting This expense.
More nurses are needed for The or
ganisa ton TO carry out the state system
Of school examinations DIR Osincup
says. At least eleven will be needed
to cover the state once year Or.
Osincup's report is in part as follows
"InaeHnuch as tho visual defects con
stitute a large percentage Of All de-
fects found. II would bo advisable to
undertake some method Of correcting
these In the schools. The following plan
would solve this problem
"A unit would be organized Of an
eve. car, nose and throat specialist and
a nurse. They should be supplied with
easily portable equipment for testing
eves. They would visit every school in
the state and examine the eyes of every
child Those found 70 be IN need Of
glasses would be advised of this fact
and their parents consulted. II the
parents were willing 70 obtain glasses
for their child at their own expense.
this could be done. II they were not
willing 10 incur any expense. glasses
could be prescribed and furnished at
cost Arrangements could be made with
some local flrm TO supply glasses al
very low figure and they would he will
ing 10 send man with tho Init 70
0t such glasses TO the individual child.
II such a Unit were established We
would then have the means OF correct
ing two OF the commonest defects with
witch we have 10 deal, namely. tho
teeth and the eyes.
The third conmonest defect. tonsfls
and adenoids can be easily corrected
With the cooperation ~ the child health
centers. provided. of course. their exis-
tence IS continued.
',Rv these means we would be able
to correct approximately 90 per cent
of all the defects. II Is program
which If carried out. would be the most
complete so far attempted IN this coun-
~ and would show results whose
heneficence would he astounding.