CHAPTER XII 

 LEGAL PROVISIONS 



TH E first state law concerning the medical inspection of school 

 children appears to have been passed by Connecticut in 

 1899. It did not provide for the complete sort of inspec- 

 tion now carried on in many cities and states, but only for the test- 

 ing of eyesight by teachers every three years. Complete medical 

 inspection, with examinations for the detection of physical defects, 

 was first provided for by state enactment in the permissive law 

 of New Jersey passed in 1903. This was followed by the manda- 

 tory law of Massachusetts, in 1906, which has been several times 

 amended and has served as the basis for a majority of the bills 

 which have since been presented in other state legislatures. 



By the beginning of the year 1912, as has been stated, seven 

 states had mandatory laws, 10 permissive ones, and in two states 

 (Louisiana and Minnesota) and the District of Columbia medical 

 inspection was carried on under regulations promulgated by the 

 boards of health and having the force of law. The accompanying 

 map shows graphically which states have mandatory laws, which 

 permissive ones, and in which there are no laws at all. 



The past five years have furnished a large body of experience 

 gained under varying conditions in widely separated localities. 

 The lessons of this experience can be read in the substantial 

 agreement of a majority of the laws in several salient features. 

 This agreement is graphically shown by the tabular presentation of 

 the principal features of the laws and regulations on page 166. 



On four points there is substantial agreement. The first 

 is that the administration of the provisions of the law is placed in 

 the hands of the school authorities. The second, third, and 

 fourth are respectively the placing of inspection for contagious 

 diseases, physical examination, and inspection of teachers, jani- 

 tors, and buildings in the hands of school physicians. In seven 

 cases provision is made for vision and hearing tests by teachers. 



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