The history of school work among the Jews in Palestine is of great interest. Previous to 1919, when the school department of Hadassah was founded, it was practically unknown. The Ottoman Government took no interest in the health of institutions, least of all in private schools. It gave no medical service and exercised no medical supervision. As trachoma was exceedingly prevalent in those days, 80 per cent of the population being afflicted with the disease, measures were taken by the schools themselves to combat the evil. These measures were better than nothing but were inadequate to check its progress. Apart from eye hygiene there was no medical work done in the schools.
In 1919 modern hygienic work was begun in all Jewish schools by the school hygiene department. It had four main principles:
(1) Dispensaries for pupils and teachers. (2) Full time doctors. (3) Examinations by specialists. (4) Instruction in hygiene by a teaching nurse.
It was soon discovered that infectious skin diseases, mainly ringworm, were even more prevalent in the schools than trachoma. It became evident that a dispensary was needed where the children could receive medicine and regular attention from the school doctor. This meant securing the services of a full time doctor, a step not yet taken by some of the most advanced European countries. As well as this full time doctor regular inspections of the children are made by an ophthalmologist, a dermatologist and an orthopedist.
To aid the doctor and ensure the carrying out of his work the department engages a fully qualified nurse. She is present at the doctor’s inspection, hears his report and advice to the children, and visits the homes to make certain the doctor’s instructions are being carried out. She gives advice and from time to time lectures to the children’s parents on hygiene.
She formed a society of the upper classes of the school who are known as “health scouts.” These girls see to it that the corridors, courtyard and lavatories are kept clean. They help with the training of the younger children in cleanliness, and, accompanied by the nurse, they visit factories, dairies, butchers’ shops and other places where food is sold. They learn in this way how to choose food which is kept under hygienic conditions.
Tuberculosis in certain parts of Palestine is rife and the department carries out von Pirquet inoculations at least once a year up to 10 years. Scabies and ringworm have now been banished almost entirely from the schools.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
