MEDICAL INSPECTION OF SCHOOLS 



The diverse reports made by the 10 cities mentioned in 

 this chapter indicate that anything in the nature of a general 

 conclusion as to the value of results achieved by medical inspec- 

 tion for physical defects cannot be drawn. It is, however, safe 

 to assume that scarcely any American city has yet succeeded in 

 securing the benefits of genuine treatment for as many as half 

 the children needing it. While a certain irreducible minimum of 

 defectiveness must doubtless always remain uncorrected, it seems 

 certain that this minimum has nowhere yet been reached. 



Doubtless continuing efforts for adjustment will result in the 

 devising of new methods for meeting the need. One of the most 

 practicable plans now being urged is that for the establishment 

 of school dental clinics, which is discussed in another chapter.* 

 The correction of all dental defects, which are everywhere the 

 most common defects, would mean a long step in advance. The 

 establishment of open air schools for tuberculous and anemic 

 children is also a measure the effectiveness of which has been abun- 

 dantly demonstrated in many cities both here and abroad. 



REPORTS OF TREATMENT IN ENGLISH COMMUNITIES 



Reports of treatment for physical defects are more common 

 in England than in this country, but from the comments of the 

 chief medical officer of the board of education it is evident that 

 there is some uncertainty as to what is meant by the word 

 "treatment." In his report for 1910 he states that more accurate 

 description of results cannot be achieved "until the report on the 

 results is based on actual re-examination by the medical officer." 

 The medical officer should inform himself on four points: 



1. Whether treatment was obtained. 



2. The nature of the treatment, e. g., whether by medication, the 

 provision of food, a visit to a convalescent home, or the performance of an 

 operation. 



3. By what agency the treatment was obtained, e. g., by parent, 

 nurse, charitable society, private practitioner, at the hospital, or through 

 the Poor Law. 



4. The exact results of such treatment, or the causes, so far as can 

 be ascertained, of failure to obtain treatment. 



*See Chap. IX, p. 114. 

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