with which to pay for the alterations and repairs which such reforms extensively call for. As to contagious diseases, much more has been done in the last few years than was ever done before to protect our school children from the dangers arising from that source. It is true that only the Board of Health has power to act; but it is also true that the information and suggestions brought to the Board of Health by the instructor in hygiene, as the result of his medical and sanitary inspection, have resulted in much beneficial action. Some years ago, when the particulars of the medical and sanitary inspection needed in the schools were submitted to the chief officer of the Board of Health, the opinion was expressed by him that all these particulars lay within the power of that board to deal with, and that the importance of dealing with them could hardly be overestimated, but that such dealing to be effective would require the appointment of an additional health officer; and if such an officer were to be appointed for the good of the schools, the appointment would much better be made by the School Committee. The instructor in hygiene, then, as to a large and important part of his duties - the investigation of the means of preventing the introduction and spread of contagious diseases in the schools has acted virtually as an additional health officer specially assigned to the care of the school children. Had he been armed with full authority he might have acted in reality as a health officer. As to several of the rules making it the duty of the instructor in hygiene to attend meetings of committees and give his advice when asked for it, the majority say that there is little call for the service and that such rules are practically a dead letter. This ought not so to be; but if it is so, the cause may be found not in any want of readiness or ability in the officer, nor in any defect in the rules defining his duties, but in the failure of committees to call for the advice he is ready and able to give, but unwilling to obtrude when not asked. If, for example, plans for school-houses should be adopted without even asking the instructor in hygiene to examine them and give his advice about them, that officer can hardly be held responsible for the lack of results in the shape of sanitary improvements in the construction of school-houses, nor for the rule's becoming a dead letter. If good results are expected from medical and sanitary advice, certainly those who alone have the power to act should ask for and duly consider such advice before proceeding. But while we differ with the majority in estimating the results of the office of instructor in hygiene up to the present time we freely admit that these results are far from being all that should be desired, or all that could be obtained, were the office endowed with adequate executive power. We therefore recommend the rejection of the order submitted by the majority of your committee, and the passage of the following orders. All of which is respectfully submitted. 1. JOHN G. BLAKE, JAMES A. McDONALD. Ordered, That the President of this Board be requested to petition the Legislature for the passage of the following act: An act to authorize the School Committee of Boston to create the office of medical and sanitary inspector of public schools. 2. Ordered, That the President and two other members of this Board be a special committee to bring to the attention of the Legislature the reasons in support of the petition to be presented. |