A Day at the Merrill-Palmer School Part 2
Description
The original catalog description provided by the Ford Motor Company reads as follows: “Procedures in the Physical Growth Laboratory of the Merrill-Palmer School.” “Among the requirements for admission to the Merrill-Palmer School are: 1. Vaccination. 2. A negative Schick test, following toxin-anti-toxin. 3. Passing a physical examination.” “A physical examination at the Merrill-Palmer School includes -- 1. History: a. Familial. b. Prenatal and obstetrical. c. Infantile and developmental. 2. Examination: a. Medical. b. Nutritional. c. Dietary. d. Postural. 3. Laboratory findings: a. Urine analysis. b. Red and white blood count. c. Others in special cases, as indicated.” “Examination is made with a child’s cooperation in a room which gives him a sense of security. Here are found low chairs, places to hang his clothes, toys which are accessible, and ‘understanding adults.’ The usual equipment of the doctor’s office is not apparent.” Children playing on floor, nurse helping child to dress. “Interesting play things claim the child’s attention until his turn for weighing and measuring comes.” Children dressing and undressing. “The dressing and undressing of the child give -- 1. The child an opportunity for ‘learning through doing.’ 2. The adult an opportunity for observation of muscular coordination, behavior and social attitudes.” “Scales must be checked frequently for accuracy and balanced before each weighing.” Children dressing, undressing - little boy being weighed. “How much have I gained?” Little boy jumping off scales, little girl being weighed. “When the child climbs up the ladder to the measuring board, he becomes a cooperating part of the physical examination and not a ‘lay figure.’ The climbing also provides an opportunity to observe his ability to coordinate his movements.” Child climbing stepladder onto table. “It is best to measure the recumbent length...” Prone child being measured by two people, a third taking data. “Stem length is important in its relation to total length...” Further measurements being taken. “The measurements are verified by a second examiner, and repeated if the two measurements do not agree satisfactorily.” Measuring process repeated. “The child is carried from the measuring table to the stadiometer and the measurement made as quickly as possible, because within a few seconds his standing height may measurably decrease.” Two people carrying child, taking standing measurement. “What is the relation between arm span and standing height? The measuring board can be used to measure the arm span.” Measurement being taken with board in vertical position. “The physical examination includes: General development -- posture, nutrition, skin, hair, and mucous membranes. Skeletal development -- head, chest, spine, extremities. Eyes, ears, nose. Mouth and throat.” “Teeth and dental occlusion. Glands. Heart and lungs. Abdomen. Genitalia. Reflexes. Temperature, pulse, respiration. Blood pressure.” “All ready for her physical examination.” Doctor, child being helped off with her robe and slippers. “The erect standing posture is physiologically significant. Head well poised. Chin in. Shoulders level. Scapulae not prominent. Chest forward and raised. Abdomen flat.” “Lower back straight -- no exaggerated hollow back.” Doctor checking child’s posture. “The habitual posture may be observed while the child is walking. There is no self-conscious pose.” Child walking away from doctor, back to him. “Another opportunity to observe body balance.” Child climbing stepladder to examining table, standing on table, doctor examining her. [1928]
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