The work of the school physician consists of careful examination, treatment and supervision of these children. Attention is principally directed to heart, lungs and general condition with respect to color, muscular and flesh development. Weight and measurements are taken every two weeks, and at the end of the school period the children are very carefully examined and condition compared with that noted upon their admission.
The regime covers such important phases of hygiene as suitable clothing, attention to daily habits, bathing, giving of warm baths for those who are anaemic and nervous, and of mineral baths for those who are scrofulous. Bathing plays a very important part. All of the children receive two or three warm shower baths a week. A trained nurse is in attendance.
The educational, physical and moral results obtained are remarkable. There is a great improvement in their behavior, especially with regard to order, cleanliness, self-help, punctuality and good temper. This is undoubtedly due to their removal, during practically all of their waking hours, from the influences of the street life to the more wholesome influences of the school. The children are taught to regard themselves as members of a large family, are trained to assist in the daily work and are taught to be helpful and considerate of each other.
This, in detail, is the regime of the first Open Air School conducted in Germany.
The number of Open Air Schools at present in Germany is at least ten, with an attendance of approximately 1,500.
In England the Open Air Schools were made possible through the work of the local educational authorities and co-operation of dispensaries for treatment and care of tuberculous children.
As in other countries, general legislation for the control of tuberculosis has had considerable bearing on the Open Air School situation in England. Among the legislative acts should be mentioned:
(a) The Act of 1911 providing building grants for the establishment of sanatoria, dispensaries and other auxiliary institutions.
(b) Compulsory notification of tuberculosis, etc.