The Appeal., 1923-01-13
University of Iowa Physicians
Give Results of Free Clinical
Examinations.
seek TO HELP THE SUBNORMAl
Over 90 Per Cent Of Defects Found
Declared to Be Totally or Partial
iy correctable-Mainutri.
tion 10 Common. t<
Don't you think the kiddIes
ought 20 be given every chance
5 20 develop into worthwhile elti-
zens7 What do you think Of
this campaign?

= Iowa City, Ia.-An average Of one
physical defect for each of 9b6 Iowa
children examined since September
% has been found by DR.. John w.
Prentice and DR.. Florence w. Johns
ton, University Of Iowa physicians In
the division Of maternity and infant
hygiene, who have been conducting
free, clinical examinations In various
parts Of the state. Their work, how
ever, has been aimed at the observa-
tion, and suggested treatment Of the
physically subnormal rather than the
over 90 per cent lot the defects
found were declared to be totally or
partially >correctable. The percentage
Of possible corrections decreases with
the increasing age of-the child.
Out Of 956 children examined 952
defects were found. The defects null
tiply with the age of the child. It has
been Doctor Prentice's observation
that rural children have as many ply
sical defects as do city children.
Malnutrition is found as often among
farm children as among city children.
Several reasons were ascribed to this;
among them lack Of variety In diet
and defective teeth. The most fire.
quent defects among rural children
were found to be malnutrition, de-
cayed teeth, enlarged adenoids and en-
larged, diseased tonsils.
Need Variety In Food.
children need a variety Of food
elements as do livestock" said Doctor
Prentice, referring to the weii-balanced
diet fsf farm animals that experts
have prepared. 1.-The rural children
seem to get food in, sufficient quantity
but not the variety or balanced diet
that enables all tissues Of the body
to develop properly. In other words,
they live on 'one-sided' diet. Chill
dren with bad teeth fail to masticate
and digest their food well and they
absorb and swallow harmful poisons
that come from the decayed teeth"
Children examined at the clinics are
scheduled In advance If possible. Their
histories are taken, they are examined,
a chart Of their physical state is made,
q summary drawn and treatments
recommended for defects. This record
10 kept by the county or school nurse
with the name Of the family physician.
A copy Of this record is given the
parents and they are instructed to
take the child along with the record to
the family physician. ...
About so per cent Of the cases in
communities where clinics have been
held have reported to the family ply
sicians as instructed. according to re-
ports Of nurses and physicians. It is
believed this proportion will be greatly
Increased as the work advances.
Gives Advice on Diet. =.
In order to reach the children clinics
are held in various towns and cities
under the auspices of local physicians
: and county and school nurses. Doctor
Prentice examines the children and
Doctor Johnston acts as adviser to the
mothers on questions Of child diet,
prenatal and postpartum care. The
university physicians are trying to
make assets instead Of liabilities out
Of the subnormal children Of Iowa by
pointing out possible corrective meas
ures. Results have Indicated that the
money, time and effort have been well
expended, report division officials.
1.-THE success Of this great work"
said Doctor Prentice. "has been made
possible by the splendid cooperation
Of the doctors and county and school
nurses in the various communities
where clinics have been held.
During recent years the general
health and physical condition Of our
city children have been greatly Inn
proved by the work Of infant welfare
stations, children's clinics, school elm
ics and many other such organizations.
Likewise the maternity clinics have
done much for mother and babe. And
now we have the same opportunities
brought to our rural communities
through the work OF the division OF
maternity and infant hygiene Of the
University Of Iowa which is carrying
ont the provisions Of the Sheppard
Towner law in Iowa.. We need only to
bear In mind the high percentage Of
physical unftness among our rural
boys as found by the army examina
tions In the recent war to realize the
Importance Of this work"
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