to
successful use of knowledge gained at school involves so many sanitary
remedies, it is theoretically better organization to hold the health
authority responsible.

CHAPTER XXVIII

PRESENT ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL HYGIENE IN NEW YORK CITY

Many of the elements of the machinery outlined in the preceding chapter
already exist in New York City. All of them brought together, either by
amalgamation or by proper cooerdination, would present a very strong
front. Unfortunately, however, there is not only unsatisfactory team
work, but the efficiency of individual parts is seriously questioned by
the heads of the health and school departments.

The inspection for contagious diseases, the examination for physical
defects, the follow-up work by nurses and physicians, are in charge of
the department of health. Physical training and athletics for
elementary and high schools, winter recreation centers, and vacation
playgrounds are under directors and assistants employed by the board of
education. Heretofore inadequate powers and inadequate assistance for
training or for research have been given to the physical director.

The city superintendent of schools, in his report for the year 1907,
presented to the board of education in January, 1908, declares that the
"present arrangements have been inadequate.... In only 248
schools--less than half the total number--were any examinations for
possible diseases made. In these 248 schools not more than one third of
the pupils were examined. It is only a few months since any
examinations for physical defects were made outside of the boroughs of
Manhattan and The Bronx, and then only on account of the New York
Committee on the Physical Welfare of School Children."

As is so often the case, it is difficult to decide the merits of a
method that has not been efficiently executed. The department of health
has not hitherto done its best in its school relations. The
commissioner of health, in a public interview, expresses resentment at
the strictures by the school authorities. Yet in 1907 he permitted to
accumulate an unexpended balance of $33,000 specifically voted for
school inspectors, and repeatedly tried to have this amount transferred
to other purposes. The interest of the Bureau of Municipal Research in
municipal budgets that tell for what purposes money is voted and then
prevent transfers without full publicity, preserved this particular
fund. Moreover, the discussion that preven