place, that the work was too hard. And then confides to the examiner that a lump has come out in the groin; upon examination, hernia is found. Treatment is advised, usually operation, and the condition is corrected. Thus the child is saved much needless suffering and inconvenience. One cannot dwell too strongly upon the careful oversight that the heart of the growing child demands. It seems strange that the heart is so often the neglected organ after a first examination. We find it necessary to repeatedly examine the heart, especially if the child is active in athletic pursuits. The strain of manual labor, physical growth and hard running are too much for this long-suffering organ, and the damage discovered when it is often too late. Our plan is to give each child a full physical examination. If a defect is found a card is given the child to take home to its parents or guardian, specifying the defect and advising correction or treatment. On the reverse side of this card are the names and address and hours of the many dispensaries in the city, where the child can get skillful treatment free of any cost. It is recommended that it seek the dispensary nearest its home. The child, however, is first questioned to its family physician; if there is one, it is sent to him. A temporary permit is given, if work will not prove injurious during treatment, or if the condition will permit. In serious condition, the permit is withheld until a cure is obtained. But this work cannot be done without the co-operation of the employer. Many trades now responsible for the bad condition of the laborers, can be rendered safe, by one of the many safety devices now on the market. The adoption of these would be a godsend to the community. The laborer would be allowed insurance, thus fortifying him against old age; and he would live a healthful life, free from the scars and ravages that occupational accidents and diseases make. The employer would be saved the inconvenience of the loss. of a valuable employee or the lawsuits that are constantly arising. And then the State would be saved the care of these incapacitated ones; as many of the crowded almshouses, hospitals and reformatories will demonstrate. Industries are needed; the wealth of the nation depends upon its industrial life. Therefore, let us make these industries safe, first, by a careful physical examination, correcting any physical defect or by preventing the physically weak from entering the socalled dangerous trades and, secondly, by adopting any safety device that will protect and save life and limb, thus giving these people what our constitution promises, "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." The following is the medical statistical report. From January 1st, 1913, to December 31st, 1913, inclusive. We are indeed grateful for the co-operation we have received from the surgeons, physicians, hospitals and dispensaries, who have given the children sent them, skillful and gratuitous treatment. Also to the Instructive Visiting Nurse Association for its most valuable assistance. We again want to emphasize that of the children sent for treatment 90 per cent. have returned cured. Occupation accidents Changed occupations due to physical defects.. All defectives have been placed under medical care. Examinations made 13,023 Individual children examined... 9,328 Those entering industrial life for the first time..... Those holding permits under the old law who had entered without a physical examination were examined 1,797 4,776 |