PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS 



It is the opinion of the undersigned, based upon professional experi- 

 ence, that school teachers, with the aid of printed directions properly 

 prepared, are, because of their acquaintance with the individual children 

 under their charge and their consequent ability to communicate with 

 them and to find out what is in their mind, more capable of making a 

 satisfactory examination of the hearing of such children than a doctor 

 other than a specialist called in for the purpose would be likely to be. 



(Signed) Clarence John Blake, M.D. 



D. Harold Walker, M.D. 



William F. Knowles, M.D. 



The same opinion was expressed by other experts in regard 

 to eyesight. 



The methods used in Massachusetts have proved so satis- 

 factory after several years of statewide use, that the rules for 

 testing are here quoted in full as a guide for the conduct of such 

 examinations. 



SIGHT AND HEARING TESTS IN MASSACHUSETTS 



Vision and hearing tests are made in accordance with the 

 following directions prescribed by the state board of health. The 

 materials for the tests are distributed to all teachers by the state 

 authorities. 



COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS 



Chapter 502, Acts of 1906 



Directions for Testing Sight and Hearing 



(Prepared by State Board of Health) 



To TEST THE EYESIGHT 



Hang the Snellen test letters* in a good, clear light (side 

 light preferred), on a level with the head. Place the child 20 

 feet from the letters, one eye being covered with a card held 

 firmly against the nose, without pressing on the covered eye, 

 and have him read aloud, from left to right, the smallest 

 letters he can see on the card. Make a record of the result. 

 Children who have not learned their letters, obviously, can- 

 not be given this eyesight test until after they have learned 

 them. 



To RECORD THE ACUTENESS OF EYESIGHT 

 There is a number over each line of test letters, which \ 

 shows the distance in feet at which these letters should be read \ 

 * See p. 49. 

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