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of scholars, as well as of schools, is imperatively demanded in
the interests of the community. It is this personal aspect of
school hygiene which, excepting in a comparatively small
number of instances, has been neglected in this country.
Special and frequent examination of school children should be
made for mild and unrecognized cases of infectious disease,
defective sight, deafness, and other physical defects.
The School Attendance Officers require to be brought
(and doubtless will be brought, under the new order of things;
in closer touch with the Medical Officer of Health. More
prompt information as to absentees is desirable, and his cooperation
in helping to check unhealthy and vicious conditions
of life in the homes which he is constantly visiting could not
fail to be of great advantage to the Sanitary Authority. Many
of the above matters can easily be provided for; but some
I fully recognize, present difficulties of an administrative or
economic character; but all can and will be overcome in the
immediate future, and the gain to the next generation will
fully compensate for some extra trouble and expense in
initiating these very desirable reforms.
It must be constantly borne in mind by those who take
upon themselves the important function of controlling; or
directing education, that the end of all education is to produce
capable citizens, and that the scholar who is compelled to
attend school should be protected in every possible way
against any risks to health. The most brilliant scholastic
achievements are dearly purchased at the expense of
permanent impairment of health.
A well-organised system of physical drill, carried out. not
in crowded schoolrooms, but either outside or in special buildings,
will promote physical fitness, which counts for so much