MEDICAL INSPECTION OF SCHOOLS 



has been given, what is the reason for such failure (i. e. parental igno- 

 rance, indifference, hostility or poverty, lack of clinical resources, etc.). 



4. To ascertain the ultimate results of treatment upon the child's 

 physical health and mental development. 



The first function is inevitably the one first recognized, as 

 it is undoubtedly the most important. The second function is 

 almost forced upon the inspector where later contact with a child 

 reported "under treatment" leads to the discovery that no 

 effective measures to remedy bad conditions have been taken. 

 It is especially important in large cities where unprincipled 

 practitioners find it easy to connive with parents in a pretense 

 of consultation. Yet assumption of the duties and responsi- 

 bilities it implies is rare in American cities. The third function 

 follows naturally upon the second and would call for but little 

 additional work. 



The fourth function is as yet recognized by scarcely any 

 American community. It can be developed to its fullest possible 

 limits only where there is active and enthusiastic co-operation 

 of teachers and principals with medical officers. Such following 

 up of children as it requires is far more difficult in large cities than 

 in small towns, since transfers from school to school mean re- 

 examinations by different inspectors, in which case comparison 

 of "before" and "after" conditions becomes unreliable. Records 

 of re-inspections by physicians when sufficient time has elapsed 

 after treatment so that definite results are discoverable, and records 

 by teachers of their observations during extended periods are, 

 however, essential features of any scheme for testing the value 

 to the child and to the community of medical inspection. 



The report of a school physician who based his work on 

 the assumption that all the above functions belonged to his 

 office would be likely to contain several features not now generally 

 found in such reports. Among them would probably be: 



A statement of the number of children enrolled, the number ex- 

 amined, the number having specified defects and combinations of defects, 

 and the number reported as having consulted a private physician or 

 dentist, or as having been taken to a clinic or hospital for treatment. 



A statement of the number of these children found on investiga- 

 tion, after a stated period following the reported consultation has elapsed, 



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