CONTROLLING AUTHORITIES 



of examining into any defect that interferes with the progress of the chil- 

 dren in school is not in the main a question of public health. It is rather 

 an educational question and is so directly allied to the work of the depart- 

 ment of physical training that the school physician should be appointed 

 by the school board and become a part of this department. The highest 

 efficiency will be impossible until this action is taken." 



The superintendent of schools of Cleveland says in 

 his report for 1907 (page 42), after making an able plea for the 

 establishment in the schools of the city of a system of medical su- 

 pervision : 



"While it has been suggested that the kind of service here treated 

 should be performed by the board of health, it is the belief that medical 

 supervision is peculiarly a function of the department of physical training 

 and school hygiene, and that the board of health's relation to the schools 

 should relate to the matter of communicable disease." 



In his report for 1907 (page 119), Dr. Poland, the superin- 

 tendent of schools of Newark, New Jersey, states that the medical 

 inspection as conducted by the board of health has been satisfac- 

 tory, but adds that the only objection that can be raised against it 

 relates to the executive control of the staff of medical inspectors. 

 He says: 



" By additions to the staff, the number of medical inspectors now 

 employed in the schools is 16. The direction and control of this large 

 number requires some one who can give more time to it than is possible 

 for the busy and overworked, but exceedingly efficient, health officer. It 

 seems hardly fair to impose upon him in addition to his other duties the 

 duty of overseeing daily the work of sixteen medical inspectors." 



Dr. Fred S. Shepherd, superintendent of schools of Asbury 

 Park, New Jersey, says in his report for 1907: 



"Again, if the system is to work harmoniously, the medical in- 

 spector should work under the direction of the superintendent of schools, 

 as do the teachers. If the medical inspector should regard himself as not 

 called upon to accept any suggestions whatsoever from the school officers 

 of administration, such as superintendents or school principals, it is plain 

 that friction might arise. In this connection we should not overlook the 

 fact that medical inspectors are human and have a few of the faults com- 



H7 



