details, but Wiesbaden remains the centre of reference and comparison for a great part of the work. Finally this system was recommended in 1898 by the Prussian Ministry. For these reasons we may take it as the basis of all school medical inspections in Germany, and must give some details of it.
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To begin with Wiesbaden not only respected the rights of parents; it began by taking them entirely into its confidence. A circular is sent out to every parent in the first year of every child's school life. It is really a long and confidential letter (very unlike the leaflets issued from time to time by the British educational authorities). It runs as follows:
"For the better protection of the health of children attending the public schools, school doctors have been engaged to undertake the medical inspection of children on entering school, to be responsible for their health as long as they attend the school, and responsible too for the building itself from the point of view of the scholars' health.
"These provisions will be of great use both to the children and their parents. In the course of his education, much will be learned with regard to the health and bodily condition of each child, and this new knowledge, which is being gained now for the first time, the school doctors will put at the disposal
