Evening star., 1925-01-18
CHILDREN IN NEED
OF MEDICAL CARE
Survey Shows Diseased Ton
sIlS and Decayed Teeth in
Half of Young Here.

examination OF 1.4S4 kindergarten
and hrst grade children in the public
schools Of the District Of Columbia
last year by the medical inspectors of
the schools revealed the presence of
diseased tonsils in AL per cent, OBJ
structiQn to nasal breathing in 1872
per cent, chronic nasal catarrh in 58
per cent, and decayed teeth in 5I2
per cent"
This statement was made yesterday
by DR.. Joseph A. Murphy, chief medi-
cal and sanitary inspector of the
Health Department, in response to in
quiry addressed to him by the Wash
ington tuberculosis Association in
connection with its campaign of
health education and to get the facts
before the Washington public.
This constitutes a serious handi-
cap to the present and future health
of these children" continued Dr.
Murphy. The pre-school and early
school periods in the lives OF children
is the time when there is great &C
tivity OF tonsils, adenoids and lymph
glands. Disease of these structures
and the resultant obstruction to their
functions at this time frequently
cause changes which may cause per-
manent damage to health.
May Affect Heart.
THE enlargement of tonsils and
adenoids. caused by infection, not
only causes mechanical obstruction to
proper breathing. with the detri-
mental effects upon the child's health.
due to this cause, but the infection
itself. which has entered the teeth.
tonsils or lymph glands, frequently
extends to other and distant parts of
the body, where 1t may cause infec-
tion and disease of the heart or other
vital organs.
THE nutrition OF children Is fire.
Quently affected by poisons which
may arise from the continued growth
OF injecting organisms in the tonsils,
teeth, glands or other parts of the
body where the infection may ex-
tend.
"A diseased tonsil, or obstruction
to nasal breathing by adenoids, or
decayed teeth, should be looked upon
as serious condition, in urgent need
of immediate attention, and a sore
exceedingly serious condition, not
only to the individual suffering from
II but also to those who come in close
contact with the case.
Sore Throat Dangerous.
injecting organisms causing the dis
ease are exceedingly virulent and
destructive. 1t is during this period
especially when the Infection Is like
ly to spread to other parts of the
body as well as to be communicated d
to others by oral or nasal discharges.
This takes place easily when small
particles are sprayed from the mouth
and nose by sneeZlng, coughing, talk
ing and laughing.
school children and pre-schooi
children should be examined regular
ly not only by their parents, but also
by a competent physician to see
whether these conditions exist. II
present, immediate steps should be
taken to remove all physical defects.
All children suffering from sore
throat, fever or acute colds shou
be taken out of school, kept in bed
during the acute stage, given medical
attention, and Isolated as far as
practical BILE from other children and
other members OF the household.
Better health, fewer illnesses, and
longer life will be the reward for
cleaner mouths, fewer diseased ton
sils and earlier recognition of sore
throats and acute colds, and quick
care IN their treatment as serious
infections"