Article August 28, 1909 Issue

According to a report which appeared in a recent issue...

Alfred Farlow

Great Falls (Mont.) Tribune

According to a report which appeared in a recent issue of the Tribune, a paper read before the Montana federation of women's clubs advocated compulsory medical examination of all children who are permitted to attend public or private schools, as a means of caring for defective and diseased children and safeguarding the health of the community.

The important question is, What is the real cause of the disease which is to be detected and overcome? It should, be noted that at this particular period there exists a great diversity of opinion on this subject, not only with the various classes who believe in non-drugging systems, but with the medical fraternity as to the real nature of disease and the proper method of handling it. For this reason, to place the regulation of the health of children under government control would meet with objections from many classes, for the reason that the physician appointed to make the examination would necessarily be from some particular medical school, not acceptable to all classes. This would tend to force upon the community at large some particular system which is not representative thereof, and which would therefore amount to an intrusion upon individual privilege.

It may be said, so far as this point is concerned, that the examination by one school of physicians is likely to be in accord with that of other schools, but there is more to be considered than the mere physical condition and environment of the child in connection with his troubles. The mental condition may be far more responsible for the physical defects of a child than anything else, and physical examinations are not likely to disclose such causes. On the contrary, we think it is safe to say that in many instances they might add to the trouble by fostering unnecessary apprehensions. I am of the opinion that we should experiment first by improving the spiritual conditions of the children, teaching them purity of consciousness and conduct as a means of health and strength.

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