Evening star., 1926-10-12
SCHOOL MEDICAL
INSPECTORS URGED
Council of Social Agencies
Pledges Aid to Increase
Districts Force.

The urgent need for more medical
inspectors in the public schools of
Washington was discussed at a meet
ing yesterday afternoon of the Wash.
ington Council of Social Agencies in
the Burlington Hotel.
The fact that serious consequences
might arise in case of health
emergency, such as an epidemic, from
the lack of an adequate force of
school physicians was pointed out by
A. G. Moses, president of the council
following statement by DIR. Joseph
A. Murphy, chief medical inspector
that his force is SO small that only
about one-third, possibly one-half'
Of the children starting school this
year can be examined physically.
DR.. Murphy declared that. in the
event of an emergency, the local
health authorities would not call for
outside assistance, even though 1t
were available in the form of Federal
or private medical aid. He explained
that the local Health Department is
seriously handicapped by lack of
funds.
Council Support Pledged.
Mr. Moses pledged to DR.. Murphy
the support of the council in seeking
more inspectors. Walter S. Cfford an
nounced his fear" that the District
Commissioners were not going to
recommend to Congress the appro'
priations needed for child health
work. and he urged the various social
and health interests to join In bring
ing pressure to bear"
DIR. Murphy stated that pre-scLool
tant, as experience has shown that
92 per cent Of children just entering
kindergarten or the first grade are
physically defective. He said the
responsibility for this condition rests
largely with the parents, and sug-
gested training 1.-The parents of to-
morrow, now In school, to bring up
their children according to recognized
health standards.
DIR. Murphy said he is convinced
children entering school should be re-
quired not only to show a vaccination
mark, but to present certificates show
ing that their teeth, eyes and tonsils
are free from uncorrected defects.
Mrs. Giles Scott Rafter, president
OF the Congress Of Mothers and Par
ent-Teacher Associations, declared
that a large percentage of Washing
ton mothers seem not to care about
the health Of their children.
Stinted Fund Assailed.
The discussion of child health fol-
lowed addresses by DR.. James Fred
ertck Rogers, chief of the division of
physical education and child hygiene.
Bureau of Education, and Edgar +.
Fowler, in charge of educational work
for the Chamber of Commerce of the
United States. DR.. Rogers said that
America is showing other nations the
way to proper playground programs.
He said it was false economy to
stint health appropriations.
Mr.. Fowler called attention to the
fact that in reply to the question.
"Are all children given a medical
examination upon their admission to
the SCHOOL," One hundred cities
answered yes" in 1925. and 81, in
cluding Washington, answered mo-"
''The schools can do much more
than they are now doing" Mr.. Fowler
said, but they can't do all that is
necessary to make our people physi-
cally At. We are in need of a ma
tional health crusade"
John Ihlder. vice president of the
council, who presided over the forum,
told the delegates Of the remarkable
strides being made in Germany and
England in recreational work.