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Extract from a letter written to a member of the
Education Committee.
The Medical Inspection of the children in the elementary public schools,
which during the early part of the year was a somewhat prominent question
in this district, seems to have been shelved since April, and to be in danger
of being forgotten unless attention is again drawn to it. The opposition to
the appointment of a Medical Officer to the Schools and the objections
brought forward against it were mainly based on the arguments that the
appointment was not necessary, and that the expense would be very great.
To my mind this matter is far too important to be dropped, because it
does not meet with the approval of the majority, and I trust that you
will not think that I am exceeding my duty in again bringing it forward,
and pointing out certain facts and figures for your consideration. When
the subject was first dissussed, the Education Committee did me the honour
to consult me with regard to the general idea and some of the details.
This, and the fact that I take a very deep interest in the question, must
be my excuse for again referring to it without being invited to do so.
At that time, I think it was assumed by many members of« both the
Education Committee and the Council that the question of the Medical
Inspection of school children was an entirely new idea; that it was more
theoretical than practical; and that it would be well to wait and see if any
other authority took it up before considering it in this district.
The recent publication of the Eeport of the Departmental Committee
appointed to inquire into the Medical Inspection of children in public
elementary schools, shows that long before the matter had even been thought
of in this district many other places had already adopted means to carry
it out. This Eeport will doubtless receive the careful attention of the
Education Committee, if it has not already done so, and I need not therefore
weary you by quoting it in detail. I would only ask you to allow
me to refer briefly to some parts of it that seem to me to be of particular
interest.