270 REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE,—I0Q1I3. 
atlases (including limits of price, size of 
type, character of illustrations, weight, &c.), 
wall maps, charts, and diagrams ; 
(5) Whether any definite principles or rules 
have been laid down by or for those who 
select school-books for the Authority. 
Replies were received from sixty Authorities, to 
whom and their officers the Committee is much 
indebted for the information supplied. 
Under the system of medical inspection now 
general in public elementary schools, in accordance 
with the day-school code, the eyesight of children 
of school age is tested at least twice during their 
school life, the test being made, with few excep- 
tions, by means of the well known test-cards. A 
few Authorities in both counties and county 
boroughs go further, and employ a competent 
oculist, either part or full time, his duty being to 
examine special cases and prescribe spectacles or 
recommend that medical or operative treatment 
be obtained. Some Authorities have arrangements 
under which spectacles according to the prescription 
of their oculist are supplied to the children at cost 
price, which is comparatively low by reason of 
special contracts. Arrangements are also made 
for free provision of spectacles in case of need, 
frequently with the aid of voluntary associations. 
The school medical officers and ophthalmic 
surgeons on the occasion of their visits give advice 
to the teachers concerning the treatment of children 
with defective sight. With one or two important 
exceptions, however, it would seem that instruction 
concerning proper and improper use of the eyes in 
school-work has not been given to teachers. The 
Committee is pleased to report that, under the 
new regulations for the training of teachers, 
hygiene, including testing of eyesight, is now a 
