First Annual Report of the Medical Inspection of Public Schools, 1911-1912

Vancouver Island Schools

Dear Sir, - I beg to submit the first report on "School Hygiene" in British Columbia, being the year 1911. In considering the report, indulgence is asked.  The Province is large and schools are located where medical inspection is difficult to secure.  Of the 538 schools in the Province, Health Inspectors have been appointed to 304, and reports have been received from 145, showing the number of pupils examined to be 24,376.

            The school health inspection year began on January 1st and ended on December 31st.  On your order, in future the year will begin on September 1st and end on June 30th.  Accordingly, all subsequent reports will be issued for the prescribed school year.

            Under the system at present in force, a report of disease or aliment observed is made to the parent or guardian, with a request that the child be taken to a physician or dentist.

            The report "forms" do not require returns of work done in this direction, but, with your concurrence, we hope in future to ask for and publish statistics of disease present in our schools, such as: Specific infectious disease; disease of teeth, ear, eye, skin; miscellaneous diseases.

            Such a general statement will, it is hoped, rouse practical interest among responsible guardians.

            Today it is the accepted principle that the educationist and hygienist must work hand-in-hand. Professor Murray Butler says: "The most grievous single obstacle in the way of the spread of sound educational principles is the popular view that the essentials of education are limited to instruction in reading, writing and arithmetic."

            Such a statement needs no further amplification.  All authorities are now agreed, and it is a matter of every-day observation, that in youthful individuals the physical aspect requires an equal amount of attention with the mental and spiritual.

                                                I have the honour to be,

                                                            Sir,

                                                     Your obedient servant,

                                                                        C. J. FAGAN

                                                                                    Secretary.

 

 

                                                     ALBERNI, NEW

                                                                                    Port Alberni, January 31st, 1912.

C. J. Fagan, Esq, M.D.,

            Secretary, Provincial Board of Health.

 

            Dear Sir.,- I have to report that, after my appointment as School Health Inspector in June last, I visited the Port Alberni School and examined all the scholars according to the lines laid down on the health cards, and noted their condition on the cards.  The health of the scholars was very satisfactory, with the exception of one or two mild cases of impetigo.  There was no difficulty or objection taken to the examination.

            During the last term I have had to visit the school on two or three occasions in connection with an outbreak of chicken-pox and on account of complaints of pediculi capitis.  In connection with the latter, I closed the school for two days for the parents to get the children's heads clean, and to impress upon the parents the need for cleanliness.

            The report s to the state of the school buildings is enclosed.  The water-closets were thoroughly cleaned out according to my suggestion.

                                   

                                                                        Yours faithfully,

                                                                                    C. T.  Hilton.

 

 

            I beg leave to advise you that I have carefully examined the school buildings, playground, sanitary conditions. etc. of Port Alberni School, and beg to report as follows-

            Environment of School: Satisfactory.

            Building, general description: Wooden, plastered internally; one class room, 22 by 27 feet; one entrance hall, 22 by 6 feet.

            Sanitation, number of water closets:  Two; brick-lined pits.  Very offensive; I should have a bushel of lime (quick) put in each and filled up. Must on no account be used another term present condition.

            Window lighting: South-side window area, 48 square feet; north-side window area, 96 square feet.

            Heating: Stove.

            Ventilation: Two doors at east end; windows north and south sides; top ventilation in roof (always open).

            Desks, seating, etc.: Seven single desks; twenty-one double desks; all seats have backs.

            Number of classrooms: One.

            Number of Children in each room: Forty-six.

            Cubic air space in each room: 7,128 cubic feet.

 

            General remarks: School is now too small for average attendance, and there is not cubic air space enough for each child.  Adequate ventilation can only be secured by creation of a too great draught.  Water-closets must be attended to at once, and must be changed before next term, if school is not rebuilt elsewhere. Light and desks are satisfactory.

                                                            C. T. Hilton

                                                   School Health Inspector

 

 

 

                                                            CEDAR, EAST

                                                                                     East Cedar, February 1st, 1912.

 

Dr. C. J. Fagan

            Secretary, Provincial Board of Health

 

            Dear Sir, - As teacher of East Cedar School during the year 1911, I had the pupils' parents fill in form A1 for each child attending this school.

            On Form A, I copied from each Form A1 the information from parents.  Also, on each Form A, filled in teacher's record of each pupil.

As Health Inspector, I examined each pupil carefully, and were very healthy; no complaints whatever.

            No pupil lost school through sickness all last year, which shows that the children have very good health.

                                                                        Faithfully yours,

                                                                                    Harriet Nicholson.

 

To the Board of School Trustees, East Cedar School:

            I beg leave to advise you that I have carefully examined the school buildings, playgrounds, sanitary conditions, etc., of East Cedar School, and beg to report as follows: -

            Environment of school:  The school is situated in a quiet and pleasant place.  Chiefly fir tress and small bushes surround the land belonging to the school.

            Building general description:  A one-room red wooden building, 18 by 23 by 12 feet.  At the front of the building is a hallway with two doors leading into the main room; ceiling and top half of walls plastered; six windows.

            Sanitation:  Two buildings situated a suitable distance from school-house; one for boys, one for girls.  No water-closets.

            Window lighting: Very good; two windows at the back of room, two on left, and two on right of building.

            Heating: A wood-heater situated in the middle of the room.  Warms all parts of the room very well.

            Ventilation: Very good.  Roof ventilator, doors and window used s well.

            Desks, seating, etc.:  Eleven desks, double, seating comfortably twenty-two children.

            Number of class rooms: one

            Number of children: twenty-one children.

            Cubic air-space in each room: 5,184 cubic feet.

                                                                                   

                                                                        Harriet Nicholson

                                                                                    School Health Inspector

 

 

 

                                                            CEDAR, SOUTH

                                                                                                Nanaimo, January 29th, 1912.

To the Board of Trustees, South Cedar School:

            I beg leave to advise you that I have carefully examined the school buildings, playgrounds, sanitary conditions, etc., of South Cedar School and beg to report as follows: -

Environment of school:  Site high and dry; drainage good; playground sufficient.

            Building general description:  Wooden, one story, cottage roof.

            Sanitation:  Two water-closets, separate, accommodating four each.  These should be disinfected from time to time with chloride lime.

            Window lighting:  Good, eight windows.

            Heating:  Stove in middle of room.

            Ventilation:  Windows and shaft through centre of roof.

            Desks, seating, etc.: Twenty-two double desks; each pupil has separate seat.

            Number of classrooms:  One.

            Number of Children:  Twenty-four.

            Cubic air-space in each room: about 10,000 cubic feet.

            General remarks: I have, in addition, examined the health of the pupils and reported as per forms supplied by the Department.

 

                                                            L. J. O'Brien,

                                                                        School Health Inspector

 

 

                                                COWICHAN, SOUTH

                                                                                                January 29th, 1912.

The Provincial Board of Health, Victoria.

            I beg leave to advise you that I have carefully examined the school buildings, playgrounds, sanitary conditions, etc., of South Cowichan School, and beg to report as follows:-

            Environment of school: The school stands in a one-acre plot of land; aspect open towards south and west, and sheltered by rising ground and trees on the north and east.

            Building, general description:  Building is constructed of wood, with shingle roof. Internal measurements, 33 feet in length, 29 feet 6 inches wide, and 12 feet high to ceiling.  This space is divided into a vestibule 5 feet by 19 feet 6inches, and the school-room 28 feet by 19 feet 6 inches.

            Sanitation:  A building erected last year in the school-grounds contains four water-closets, two for boys and two for girls, at opposite sides of the building and separated by a central wood-shed.

            Window lighting:  There are six windows, each measuring 5 feet 6 inches by 2 feet 6 inches, giving a total window area of 82.5 square feet, which is over on-sixth floor-space.

            Heating:  There is one stove in centre of school-room, with flue passing beneath ceiling to chimney at north end.

            Ventilation:  There is no special system of ventilation other than open windows; there is an opening in ceiling, but no ventilator on roof.

            Desks:  There are twenty-four double-seated desks to accommodate forty-eight pupils. The seats and desks are all one size, and in good condition.

            Number of classrooms:  One.

            Number of children:  Forty-one pupils.

            Cubic air space:  The cubic-air space of school-room is 6.552 cubic feet, or 156 cubic feet per head for forty-one pupils and one teacher.  These measurements do not make allowances for furniture.

 

            General remarks:  During the past year I examined forty-five pupils (22 boys and 23 girls).  Their health during the year has been good, and there has been no serious infectious illness.  I found some of the children "short-sighted".  Some are provided with suitable glasses, but others are not, and are using their eyes to their detriment.  Fifteen pupils attending school have not been vaccinated.

            I do not consider the cubic air-space of the school-room to be sufficient for forty-two persons (156 cubic feet per head).  Although the London School Board allows a minimum of 130 cubic feet per head, circumstances are different here, where a stove is used for heating with no special system of ventilation.  I would suggest, under the circumstances, that 200 cubic feet per head would be a better allowance.  This would mean that the present school room is only sufficient for 33 persons.  I would suggest an additional classroom be added to the present building or the school room be enlarged.  I would also suggest that a water supply be brought by pipe to the school, and that there be a wash basin placed in the vestibule; also that a sufficient number of hat and coat pegs be provided, each pupil to be allotted a separate numbered peg for his or her own use.

 

Arthur G. Price, M.D.

                                                                                                School Health Inspector

 

 

 

                                                     ESQUIMALT

C. J. Fagan, Esq., M.D.,

            Provincial Health officer, Victoria B.C.

 

Sir- I beg to submit the following report on the medical inspection of Esquimalt School:-

            Total number examined, 235. Nutrition -Good, 232; fair, 3. Mentality-Good, 231; fair, 4. Pulmonary disease, 2. Skin disease, 2. Vision- normal, 225; defective, 10. Hearing- Normal, 234; defective, 1. Defect of nasal breathing, 1. Teeth- Irregular, 6; bad, 49. Hypertrophied tonsils, 50. Enlarged glands, 1. Infectious diseases- Nits, 16.

            Diseases during year: Varicella, 3; measles, 22; pertussis, 16; influenza, 2; articular rheumatism, 1; dysentery, 1; mumps 2; diphtheria, 1; infantile paralysis, 1; traumatic atrophy, 1.

                                                                                    H. Rundle Nelson, M.D.

                                                                                                School Health Inspector

 

 

 

                                                   GLENORA

                                                            "Halsar," Glenora, Duncan, February 3rd, 1912.

 

The Secretary, Provincial Board of Health.

            Sir- I have the honour to endorse the report of the Health Officer for Glenora School, and to state that his recommendations with regard to the latrines, etc., will be attended to forthwith.

                                                I have, etc.,

                                                            H. F. D. Stephens,

                                                                        Secretary to Board of Trustees

 

                                                                                                February 1st 1912.

To the Board of School Trustees, Glenora School:

           

            I beg leave to advise you that I have carefully examined the school buildings, playgrounds, sanitary conditions, etc., of Glenora School, and beg to report as follows:-

            Environment: Situated on a hill on the side of the road in a clearing about 100 yards square.

            Building: Frame building, plastered on inside.

            Sanitation: Two closets, one for boys and one for girls, consisting of four seats each, over two concrete tanks.

            Window Lighting: Five windows, twelve panes 18 by 12 inches each, facing south-west; all windows on one side.

            Heating: Box stove.

            Ventilation: Three ventilators close to ceiling, with trap-door covers, on east side; also grating ventilator in ceiling.

            Desks: Thirty desks, single.

            Number of class-rooms: One.

            Number of children: sixteen.

            Cubic air-space in each room: 8,736 cubic feet.

 

            General remarks: The concrete closet-tanks require some disinfectant, and should be emptied by pumping out, and a wire grating fitted to prevent children falling in, as might happen at present. The school is in a healthy situation. Some of the pupils have been unable to attend on account of whooping-cough; otherwise the school has been free from infectious disease.

                                                                        C.M. Rolston M.D.,

                                                                                    School Health Inspector

 

 

 

           

                                                            LADYSMITH

                                                                                    Chemainus, B.C., February 5th, 1912.

 

Dr. C.J. Fagan, Victoria B.C.

 

Dear Sir - As requested by yours of January 25th, I will give you a short report of my work as a School Inspector in Ladysmith during the past year.

            I carefully inspected the school buildings, grounds, teachers, and about three-quarters of the pupils (my year not being up when I was compelled to resign owing to a change in residence).  The buildings I found in good sanitary condition, being well lighted, heated, and ventilated.  The seats and blackboards were also good, and there is no overcrowding, the average number of pupils in each room being about forty to forty-five.  The total attendance is about 450 pupils, with eleven teachers.

            Up to the present the closets and urinals have no sewer connection, but modern up-to-date water-closets and urinals are on their way from England, and will be installed shortly.  Otherwise the sanitation of the school is very good, the location of the school being high and dry and the grounds are large.

            The general health of the teachers is in each case good, as is also that of the pupils examined by me (about 300).  I did not find a single case of tuberculosis or other infectious disease. Carious teeth, enlarged tonsils and adenoids, and slight errors of refraction and defects of hearing were the commonest disorders discovered, in order mentioned. In each case the parents were advised of the child's defect, and in many, though in not all, these disorders were remedied as far as possible.  Of course, there were also a few cases of other diseases, as chlorosis, heart disease, some skin-diseases, and a few deformities, as club-feet, bow-legs, etc.  These also received medical treatment when necessary.

            From a medical standpoint, the condition of the Ladysmith School is very good.

            Trusting that this will be satisfactory, I remain,

                                                           

                                                            Yours respectfully,

                                                                        W. T. Ewing.

 

 

 

                                                            MOUNTAIN

                                                                                 East Wellington, September 25th, 1911

To the Board of School Trustees, Mountain School:

 

            I beg leave to advise you that I have carefully examined the school buildings, playground, sanitary conditions, etc., of Mountain School, and beg to report as follows:-

            Environment of School: Good.

            Building: Good.

            Sanitation, number of water-closets: Two.

            Window lighting: Good.

            Heating: Satisfactory; fire needed now.

            Ventilation: Good.

            Desks: Good.

            Number of classrooms: One.

            Number of children: Twenty.

                                                                        L. J. O'Brien,

                                                                                    School Health Inspector.

 

 

 

                                                OAK BAY

                                                                        Victoria, B.C. January 19th, 1912.

C. J. Fagan, Esq.,

            Provincial Health Officer, Victoria, B.C.

 

Sir- I beg to submit the following report on the medical inspection of Oak Bay School: -

            Total number examined, 153. Nutrition-Good, 147; fair, 3. Mentality-Good, 145; fair, 6; poor, 2. Vision-Normal,147; defective, 6. Hearing- Normal, 151; defective, 2. Defect of nasal breathing, 3. Teeth - Irregular, 1; bad, 28. Hypertrophied tonsils, 30. Adenoids, 1. Enlarged glands, 5. Goitre, 1. Infectious diseases- Nits, 15.

            Diseases during year: Varicella, 2; measles, 2; pertussis, 3.

            I have found the cards of warning to parents relative to defective conditions in their children fairly well attended to, especially in the case of defective eyes.

                                                            I have, etc.,

                                                                        H. Rundle Nelson, M.D.

                                                 Medical School Inspector, Oak Bay Municipality, Victoria

 

                                                                                    January 29th, 1912.

To the Board of Trustees, Oak Bay School:

 

I beg leave to advise you that I have carefully examined the school buildings, playgrounds, sanitary conditions, etc., of Oak Bay School, and beg to report as follows: -

Environment of School: Good open space, healthy district, gravel subsoil; grounds well and suitably laid out.

Building: Wood with plaster inside; large basement and very large room in second story.

Sanitation: Seven water-closets and three urinals.

Window lighting: Large windows, quite sufficient for each room.

Heating: Hot air furnace.

Ventilation: In upper room by windows and ceiling ventilation; other rooms by large windows; good.

Desks: Ample in number, well constructed, and well placed for light, etc.

Number of class-rooms: Five

Number of children in each room: I., 35; II. 41; III., 31; IV., 37 ; V., 45.

Cubic air-space in each room: I., 9,360 cubic feet; II. 11,044 cubic feet; III., 8,904 cubic feet; IV., 11350; V., 19,968 cubic feet.

General remarks: The school is thoroughly satisfactory in every way now, the hot-air furnace having been set right and no smoke is now leaking from it. The cubic air-space per pupil is good, but in most cases just below requirements.

H. Rundle Nelson,                                                              

School Health Inspector

 

 

 

                                                            SAANICH

 

C. J. Fagan, Esq., M.D.,

            Provincial Health Officer, Victoria, B.C.

 

            Sir- I beg to submit the following report on the medical inspection of Tolmie School South Saanich:-

            Total number examined, 157. Nutrition- Good, 150; fair, 6; poor, 1. Mentality- Good, 152; fair, 5. Chorea, 1. Pulmonary disease, 1. Skin-disease, 2. Vision- Normal, 146; defective, 11. Hearing - Normal, 157. Teeth - Irregular, 2; bad, 13. Hypertrophied tonsils, 22. Adenoids, 1. Defect of spine, chest, or extremities, 2. Enlarged glands, 2. Infectious diseases- Nits, 32.

            Diseases during year: Varicell, 1; measles, 22; pertussis, 11; diptheria, 5; dysentery, 3; tonsillitis, 4; pleurisy, 1; anemia, 1; infantile paralysis, 2.

                                   

                                                                                                H. Rundle Nelson, M.D.

 

 

                                                                                                February 5th, 1912.

To the Board of school Trustees, Saanich Schools:                                             

 

            I beg leave to advise you that I have carefully examined the school buildings, playgrounds, sanitary conditions, etc., of Tolmie School, and beg to report as follows: -

            Environment: Open space on side of hill; clay subsoil, rather wet.

            Building: Single-story wood; basement (old).

            Sanitation: Dry closets, ten.

            Window lighting: Large and well placed, all opening.

            Heating: Stoves in rooms.

            Ventilation: Good, by windows.

            Desks: Wooden desks for each pupil.

            Number of class-rooms: Three and one temporary room; at present a large parochial hall is in use.

            Number of children in each room: I., 35; II. 35; III., 40; IV., 40.

            Cubic air space in each room: I., 7,560 cubic feet; II. 6,948 cubic feet; III., 5,544 cubic feet.

 

            General remarks: Cubic air-space per child is below the average required, but has been greatly improved lately by use of extra temporary hall.

                                                                                                H. Rundle Nelson, M.D.

                                                                                                School Health Inspector

 

 

 

                                                            SOOKE

 

Report on Inspection of Schools for Sooke and Adjoining Districts- Colwood, Goldstream, Metchosin, Rocky Point, Otter Point, Sooke Way, and Highland.

                                                                                                                       

                                                                                    Victoria B.C., June 30th, 1911.

The Secretary, Provincial Board of Health:

            Sir- I have the honour to report that, in accordance with the "Public Schools Act," I have visited all schools in the district, most of them several times, and examined all children attending.

This section contains eight schools, one of which (east Sooke) is closed.  There are no very poor persons in the area, and, as it is very thinly settled, the sanitary conditions are good, so very little disease was found among the children, who, without exception, were well nourished.

The situation of the school buildings is in all cases good.  They re usually some distance from any other habitation, but the buildings themselves could be much improved upon, particularly in regard to ventilation and lighting.  The cubic air-space per pupil appears in some cases to be too low, but as there is no standard laid down in the Act, or elsewhere, I could not recommend any change to the trustees.  I would recommend a minimum of, say, 300 cubic feet per inmate.

            Water is usually brought from some farm or stream, and nothing objectionable was found.  The ordinary country privy was usually used.  Some form of dry-earth closet might be substituted with advantage.

            This being the first year of inspection, I found that the methods and purposes of the inspection were not very well understood by either the trustees, the teachers, or the parents, but there will not be the same difficulty in the future.

            Appended is a list of the pupils examined and of the disease, or disabilities noted.

                                                            I have, etc.,

 

                                                                        Edward C. Hart, M.D.

 

            Colwood School - Number of pupils examined, 26. Disabilities - Adenoids, 1; defective teeth, 5.

            Goldstream School - Number of pupils examined, 11. Disabilities - Defective teeth,1.

            Metchosin School - Number of pupils examined, 6. Disabilities- Adenoids, 1; Defective Teeth, 1. Whooping-cough prevalent in this school.

            Rocky Point School - Number of pupils examined, 8. Disabilities - Defective teeth, 1.

            Otter Point School - Number of pupils examined, 15. Disabilities - None.

            Sooke School - Number of pupils examined, 18. Disabilities - Adenoids, 2; defective teeth, 1.

            Highland School - Number of pupils examined, 9. Disabilities - Myopia, 1; adenoids, 1; defective teeth, 1.

 

 

 

                                                                                                            June 5th, 1911.

 To the Board of School Trustees, Sooke School:

            I beg leave to advise you that I have carefully examined the school buildings, playground, sanitary conditions, etc., of Sooke School, and beg to report as follows: -

            Environment: Good.

            Building: One-story wood, with ceiling.

            Sanitation, number of water-closets: Two; fair.

            Window lighting: Fair.

            Heating: Good.

            Ventilation: Fair.

            Desks, seating, etc.: Bad; new ones promised.

            Number of classrooms: One

            Number of children in each room: Twenty-five on roll; attendance eighteen.

            Cubic air-space in each room: 5,940 cubic feet; 330 cubic feet per unit.

                                   

                                    Edward C. Hart,

                                                                                    School Health Inspector

 

 

 

                                                            UCLUELET

           

                                                                                    Ucluelet, B.C., February 6th, 1912.

            Dear Sir - In my capacity of Medical Inspector, I have the honour to report to you that I have during year 1911 examined Ucluelet Public School, taking note of conditions prevailing there, and inspecting, individually, the pupils attending the school.  The health of scholars was and is good.  One had tendency to adenoids; case has been treated.  School quite detached from other houses; situated on rising ground near beach; wooden building, with eight good-sized windows.  Room heated by stove.  The ventilation is attended by opening tops of some of the windows. Separate desks.  Only one room; twelve pupils in all.  Cubic space, 6,480 feet.  Separate water-closets.

                                                                       

                                                                                    I have, etc.,

                                                                                                Charles McLean.

 

 

                                                                                                            June 1911.

To the Board of Schools Trustees, Ucluelet School:

            I beg leave to advise you that I have carefully examined the school buildings, playground, sanitary conditions, etc., of Ucluelet School, and beg to report as follows:-

            Environment: Quite detached; situated on rising ground near beach facing the bay.

            Building: Wooden building; in good repair.

            Sanitation: Two water-closets.

            Window lighting: Lighting especially good; eight windows.

            Heating: Warmed by stove.

            Ventilation: Ventilation attended to by opening some windows.

            Desks, seating, etc.: Desk and seating arrangements satisfactory.

            Number of class-rooms: One room for all purposes.

            Number of children in each room: Twelve pupils in all.

            Cubic air-space in each room: 6,480 feet.

                                   

                                                                                    Charles MacLean,

                                                                                                School Health Inspector

 

 

 

                                                            VICTORIA

 

                                                                                    Victoria, B.C., February 27th, 1912.

 

Dr. Fagan,

            Provincial Health Officer, Victoria, B.C.

 

            Dear Sir - I beg to make the following report on the conditions and health of the public schools of the City of Victoria for the year ended December 31st, 1912. -

            The general health of teachers and pupils for the year 1911 has been excellent, notwithstanding the fact that many of the schools were overcrowded owing to the large number of new residents who have come to the city during the year.  While there have been quite a number of cases of measles, scarlet fever, chicken pox, and mumps, none of them have assumed epidemic form.  Hence, it has not been necessary to close the schools.

            Prompt report of suspicious cases on the part of teachers has done much to prevent spread of disease among the children.  An increasing number of parents are following up the advice of the Medical Inspector by having their children's eyes, ears, teeth, and throats attended to; but there are still a large number who fail to heed the advice given.

            There is a big field for a school nurse to follow up these cases and see that the parents give proper attention to them.

            The condition of the various schools will be found in Form C herewith handed you.

                                                                        Yours truly,

                                                                                    M. Raynor,

                                                                                                 School Medical Officer

 

 

                                                                                                February 27th, 1912.

To the Board of School Trustees, Victoria Schools:

 

            I beg leave to advise you that I have carefully examined the school buildings, playground, sanitary condition, etc., of Bank Street School, and beg to report as follows:-

            Environment: Good, residential.

            Building: Concrete basement; brick superstructure; slow-burning construction of floors and partitions.

            Sanitation: Modern; fourteen Clows Cymric seat-action closets; porcelain urinals for the boys.

            Window lighting: Good; plenty of light.

            Heating: Hot air.

            Ventilation: Mechanical; by electric-driven fan.

            Desks, seating, etc.: All seated with single desks.

            Number of class-rooms: Four.

            Number of children in each room: Forty-one average.

            Cubic air-space in each room: 10,000 cubic feet.

M. Raynor,

                                                                                                School Health Inspector

 

                                                                                                February 27th, 1912.

 

 

To the Board of School Trustees, Victoria Schools:

 

            I beg leave to advise you that I have carefully examined the school buildings, playgrounds, sanitary conditions, etc., of Victoria High School, and beg to report as follows: -

            Environment: Good; residential.

            Building: Brick with McGill Annex of wood; two annex of wood.

            Sanitation: Boys, slate urinal, four seat-action flush toilets; girls, six seat-action flush toilets; one ladies toilet upstairs; one gentlemen's toilet upstairs.

            Window lighting: Good

            Heating: Hot water, direct radiation.

            Ventilation: Natural, with Boyle's air intake- i.e., no forced air by fans.

            Desks: All single desks.

            Number of class-rooms: Seventeen.

            Number of children in each room: Twenty-three average.

            Cubic air-space in each room: 11,500 cubic feet.

                                                                                    M. Raynor,

                                                                                                School Health Inspector

 

 

                                                                                                February 27th, 1912.

To the Board of School Trustees, Victoria Schools:

            I beg leave to advise you that I have carefully examined the school buildings, playground, sanitary conditions, etc., of Boys' Central School, and beg to report as follows: -

            Environment: Good; residential.

            Building: Brick; shingled roofs.

            Sanitation: Trough system of closets, with two sets of eight seats and three 6-foot enamelled urinals.

            Window lighting: Good generally; one or two rooms are darker than they should be.

            Heating: Steam.

            Ventilation: Natural; no forced air by fans; ventilated by windows and doors only.

            Desks: Three rooms single desks; eight rooms double desks.

            Number of class-rooms: Eleven and separate frame building for manual training room.

            Number of children in each room: Forty-eight average.

            Cubic air-space: 12,000 cubic feet.

            General remarks: Lavatories are in separate brick building.

                                                                                    M. Raynor.

                                                                                                School Health Inspector

 

 

                                                                                                February 27th, 1912.

To the Board of School Trustees, Victoria Schools:

            I beg leave to advise you that I have carefully examined the school buildings, playgrounds, sanitary conditions, etc., of Girls' Central School, and beg to report as follows: -

            Environment: Good; residential.

            Building: Brick, with shingled roof.

Sanitation: Sixteen seats in two sets of eight; trough system; and two teachers' toilets.

            Window lighting: Good.

            Heating: Steam; direct radiation.

            Ventilation: Natural; no mechanical.

            Desks: Three rooms single desks; six rooms double desks.

            Number of class-rooms: Nine, with separate room for household science (of wood).

            Number of children in each room: Forty-four average.

            Cubic air-space in each room: 12,000 cubic feet.

            General remarks: Lavatories are in outside brick building.             

                                                                                    M. Raynor,

                                                                                                School Health Inspector

 

 

                                                                                                February 27th, 1912.

To the Board of School Trustees, Victoria Schools:

            I beg leave to advise you I have carefully examined the school buildings, playgrounds, sanitary conditions, etc., of George Jay School, and beg to report as follows: -

            Environment: Good; residential.

            Building: Fireproof construction, with brick veneer finish.

            Sanitation: Nine Kelly closets, white porcelain urinals, for boys; fourteen Kelly closets for girls; four Kelly closets upstairs for teaching staff.

            Window lighting: Good.

            Heating: Hot air over steam-coils, and through cold-water washer - i.e., blower system.

            Ventilation: Mechanical; by means of electric fan.

            Desks: Five rooms single desks; six rooms double desks.

            Number of class-rooms: Ten class-rooms, one domestic-science room, one manual training building, main building; also assembly room, 40 by 60 feet.

            Number of children in each room: Thirty-nine average.

            Cubic air-space in each room: 12,000 cubic feet.

                                                                                    M. Raynor,

                                                                                                School Health Inspector

 

 

                                                                                                February 27th, 1912

To the Board of School Trustees, Victoria Schools:

            I beg leave to advise you that I have carefully examined the school building, playgrounds, sanitary conditions, etc., of Hillside School, and beg to report as follows: -

            Environment: Residential.

            Building: Frame.

            Sanitation: Six hopper and trap closets; enamelled-iron urinal.

            Window lighting: Good.

            Heating: Stoves.

            Ventilation: Natural- i.e., by windows and doors.

            Desks: Double desks.

            Number of class-rooms: Three.

Number of children in each room: Fifty-three.

            Cubic air-space in each room: Average, 10,000 cubic feet.

                                                                                    M. Raynor,

                                                                                                School Health Inspector

 

 

                                                                                                February 27th, 1912.

To the Board of School Trustees, Victoria Schools:

 

            I beg leave to advise you that I have carefully examined the school buildings, playgrounds, sanitary conditions, etc., of Kingston Street School, and beg to report as follows: -

            Environment: Residential.

            Building: Frame construction.

            Sanitation: Seven hopper and trap toilets; six seats to trough toilet; two 4 1/2 foot enamelled iron urinals.

            Window lighting: Good.

            Heating: Coal and wood stoves.

            Ventilation: Natural; no fan; by windows.

            Desks: Double desks.

            Number of class-rooms: Seven, five in main building and two in annex.

            Number of children in each room: Thirty-nine.

            Cubic air space in each room: Average, 11,000 cubic feet.                                    

                                                                                    M. Raynor,

                                                                                                School Health Inspector

 

 

                                                                                    February 27th, 1912.

To the Board of School Trustees, Victoria Schools:

            I beg to advise you that I have carefully examined the school buildings, playgrounds, sanitary conditions, etc., of North Ward School, and beg to report as follows:-

            Environment: Residential.

            Building: Brick, with brick annex.

            Sanitation: Good; twelve Kelly closets, automatic; porcelain urinal for boys.

            Window lighting: Good generally; one room should have more.

            Heating: Steam; direct radiation.

            Ventilation: Natural; no fan.

            Desks: Six rooms seated with single desks; five rooms seated with double desks.

            Number of class-rooms: Nine in main building, and assembly-room and manual-training room; two in annex.

            Number of children in each room: Forty-five.

            Cubic air-space in each room: 10,000 cubic feet.

                                                                                    M. Raynor,

                                                                                                School Health Inspector

 

 

                                                                                    February 27th, 1912.

To the Board of School Trustees, Victoria Schools:

            I beg leave to advise you that I have carefully examined school buildings, playgrounds, sanitary conditions, etc., of Rock Bay School, and beg to report as follows: -

            Environment: Factory district.

            Building: Frame building, of wood.

            Sanitation: Fairly good; six chain-pull hopper toilets.

            Window lighting: Might be improved; good on the whole.

            Heating: By coal-stoves.

            Ventilation: Natural.

            Desks: Double desks.

            Number of classrooms: Two.

            Number of children in each room: Thirty, average.

            Cubic air-space in each room: One room 5,500 cubic feet; one room 15,000 cubic feet.

                                                                                    M. Raynor,

                                                                                                School Health Inspector

 

 

                                                                                    February 27th, 1912.

To the Board of School Trustees, Victoria Schools:

            I beg leave to advise you that I have carefully examined the school buildings, playgrounds, sanitary conditions, etc., of Sir James Douglas School, and beg to report the following: -

            Environment: Good; residential.

            Building: Brick, buff colour; floors of corridors fireproof construction.

            Sanitation: White porcelain urinals and eight Kelly automatic seat-action closets for boys; twelve Kelly automatic seat-action toilets for girls; two toilets upstairs for teaching staff.

            Window lighting: Good.

            Heating: Hot air over steam coils and through cold water washer- blower system.

            Ventilation: Mechanical; by means of electric fan.

            Desks: Three single desks; four double.

            Number of class-rooms: Eight; seven only occupied.

            Number of children in each room: Thirty eight, average.

            Cubic air-space in each room: 10,850 cubic feet.

                                                                                    M. Raynor,

                                                                                                School Health Inspector

 

 

                                                                                    February 27th 1912.

To the Board of School Trustees, Victoria Schools:

            I beg to advise you that I have carefully examined the school buildings, playgrounds, sanitary conditions, etc., of South Park School, and beg to report as follows: -

            Environment: Park and residential.

            Building: Brick.

            Sanitation: Twelve Crane seat action toilets; slate urinal for boys; modern.

            Window lighting: Good.

            Heating: Hot air.

            Ventilation: Smead Dow system; not mechanical; no fan.

            Desks: Four rooms single desks; four rooms double desks.

            Number of class-rooms: Eight class-rooms and assembly-room; manual-training room in basement.

            Number of children in each room: Thirty-eight, average.

            Cubic air-space in each room: 12,000 cubic feet.

                                                                                    M. Raynor,

                                                                                                School Health Inspector

 

 

                                                                                    February 27th, 1912.

To the Board of School Trustees, Victoria Schools:

            I beg leave to advise you that I have carefully examined the school buildings, playgrounds, sanitary conditions, etc., of Spring Ridge School, and beg to report as follow: -

            Environment: Residential.

            Building: Frame.

            Sanitation: Nine hopper and trap toilets; enamelled-iron urinals.

            Window lighting: Fairly good.

            Heating: Stoves.

            Ventilation: Natural; by windows and doors.

            Desks: Double desks.

            Number of class-rooms: Four.

            Number of children in each room: Forty-six, average.

            Cubic air-space in each room: Average 11,000 cubic feet.

                                                                                    M. Raynor,

                                                                                                School Health Inspector

 

 

                                                                                    February 27th, 1912.

To the Board of School Trustees, Victoria Schools

            I beg leave to advise you that I have carefully examined school buildings, playgrounds, sanitary conditions, etc., of Victoria West School, and beg to report as follows: -

            Environment: Residential, but on side is brewery.

            Building: Brick, with manual-training annex.

            Sanitation: Fourteen Kelly automatic seat-action closets; enamelled-iron urinals for the boys; modern.

            Window lighting: Good.

            Heating: Hot air.

            Ventilation: Mechanical; by electric fan.

            Desks: Six rooms single desks; four rooms double desks.

            Number of class-rooms: Ten and an assembly-room.

            Number of children in each room: Thirty-five average.

            Cubic air-space in each room: 11,000 cubic feet.

                                                                                    M. Raynor,

                                                                                                School Health Inspector.

                                                                                               


Source: British Columbia. First Annual Report of the Medical Inspection of Schools, 1913.