REVITALIZING DEVITALIZED CHILDREN. AN OPEN WINDOW EXPERIMENT!
A COMPARISON BETWEEN THE PROGRESS OF PUPILS TAUGHT IN AN OPEN WINDOW CLASS-ROOM AND THAT OF THE PUPILS OF A PARALLEL GRADE TAUGHT IN AN ORDINARILY VENTILATED AND HEATED CLASS-ROOM IN THE SAME SCHOOL BUILDING.
Walter W. Roach, A.M., M.D., Supervising Medical Inspector, Jfth & oth Districts, Philadelphia.
The test was made at the Alexander Dallas Bache School, 22d and Brown Streets, Philadelphia, during the winter session of 1912.
After consultation with Mr. Walter C. Bishop, supervising principal of the above school and Mr. Albert H. Raub, district superintendent, it was decided to devote one class-room, with the heat cut off and the windows wide open, to teaching in nature's air with a minimum of artificial tempering, a normal third grade class the regular third grade work.
It happened that in this same school there was another class of equal number of pupils, of the same grade, occupying a room heated and ventilated in the ordinary way, so that we were able to keep accurate records and make a fair comparison.
In order that there should be no appearance of compulsion in the matter of attendance, the medical supervisor of the district first addressed a letter to the principal expressing the opinion that the stimulating effect of cool fresh air would benefit both pupils and teachers mentally and physically, and asked that some teacher in the school volunteer to teach the children through the winter with the class-room windows wide open. Happily there was no lack of volunteers and the problem of securing a willing teacher was solved.
The following circular was then addressed to the parents of about sixty of the third grade pupils, explaining the purpose of the movement and enclosing a blank application form to be filled out and signed by those who desired that their children be taught in this open window room.
Bache School, Philadelphia, September 20, 1912. To the Parents:—
Your attention is called to an open window class-room at the Bache School. Its purpose is to give Nature a greater opportunity to help our children to learn rapidly and to grow strong. The cold, fresh air of our new class-room will be soothing to the nerves and stimulating to mind and body.
The occupants of this room will be protected in extremely cold weather with extra wraps and sufficient heat. They will not be subjected to draughts. They will be given exercise and freedom that is not possible in the ordinary class-room. Their physical welfare will be looked after constantly and noted regularly by the Medical Inspector. If you desire your child to be considered with others, as an applicant, please fill out and return enclosed blank.
Yours very truly, Walter C. Bishop, Principal.
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Title: American journal of public health: the journal of the American Public Health Association, Volume 3, Issues 1-6. Author: American Public Health Association. Publisher: American Public Health Association, 1913. Original from: the University of California
Digitized: Aug 3, 2007. Subjects: Medical › Public Health Medical / Public Health, Public health
TEXT CREDIT: American journal of public health: the journal of the American Public Health Association, Volume 3, Issues 1-6
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