The Wilmington morning star., 1945-11-21

opportunities to regain full health.
OF course, for the more serious
cases there are laws compelling a
parent to march the line, so to
speak. But for the lesser things
ailments like decaying teeth or in
fected tonsils - public authorities
hesitate to step in where mothers
and fathers are neglectful.
Beginning with the pre-school
clinics conducted in each of the
grade schools during the late spring
annually, Health Appraisal
Card" is completed for every child.
This type of form, incidentally, is
being used this year for every pub.
lie school student in the county,
and will be permanent. On it is the
story Of your child's physical con.
dition and much other data, all Of
which enables the professional eye
OF registered Public Health nurse
to get fairly accurate appraisal
of youngsters condition.
These cards follow every child
through his public school career,
keeping permanent record as moth
ing else can of such matters as
immunizations Smallpox, diphthe.
ria and whooping cough are now
compulsory, height, weight, pos.
ture, feet, hands, scalp, throat,
ears, nose, eyes, skin, teeth and
a Their complete analysis of the
child's nutritional condition. Very
little, indeed, is missed once a card
is completed.
In the school rooms, these cards
are completed by the classroom
teachers-not once but twice each
school year. Defects noted in a
child are referred to the visiting
school nurse, as the Public Health
Services registered nurses are
known. Once a defect is reported,
it is but a matter Of days until
professional examination is made
and, where at all possible, treat
ment begun.
Little things like dirty scalp, i'm
prope- fit of shoes, poor posture
from careless habit, etc., usually
are directed right at the school
clinic. Sometimes-usually, in fact
"a parent is invited to the school
for a conference. 1t is explained
why the child suffers certain de-
fects or why he or she is below
par. Most parents. glad to know
these things sometimes observed
only by the trained eye, are keen
to cooperate. Some, unfortunately,
don't cooperate.
''Most of the ailments and de-
ficiencies we find are correctable
in the schools clinic and by con-
slant observation and reminder on
the part of the classroom teacher"
Miss Munds declares.
Those deficiencies not correctable
within the limited facilities of the
school clinics-and 10 Public Health
department nurses for the county's
white and colored schools is in it.
self a = 1itation-are referred to
the parents for the attention of fam
lily physicians. Where finances are
a barrier, the County Welfare de-
partment is ready to .tep in when
asked by either parent or the Health
department.
The Public H ealth Service
nurses seven for white schools
and three for colored schools-are
under jurisdiction of the Console
dated Health department. Current
ly, state, federal and county funds
are adequate for only seven
nurses. The Community Chest pro-
vides ear-marked funds for the
salary of one nurse, and the Min
istering Circle furnishes funds for
the retention of two other nurses,
making for the total of 10 now
on full-time duty. The High school
has its own health program paid
out of Board of Education funds.
New H yer county's first
school nurse was retained in 1915,
paid for by the Board of Health
from public funds. A few years