CHILDREN'S HEALTH

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1168, 1 July 1911, Page 17

CHILDREN'S HEALTH

A PRINCIPLE AFFIRMED. MEDICAL INSPECTION OF SCHOOLS. Delegates to the Hospitals Conference, yesterday discussed the proposal, laid before them by Dr. Valintine on Thursday, that a system of medical inspection of school children should be inaugurated in New Zealand. At the outset Dr. Valintine said that be hoped delegates would first discuss tho principles underlying his proposal. The details of the particular tcheme were a secondary matter. Mr. .1. G. Wilson moved:— "That this conference considers it advisable that, some such scheme as that outlined by Dr. Valintine should be adopfed for the medical inspection of school children." Mr. Wilson said he considered it almost a. reproach that, some system had not yet been adopted. Ignorant Parents, The motion was seconded by Mr. F. Bellringer (New Plymouth), who read a paper on the subject. He said that one of tho strangest and saddest things in the experience of those who had to do with hcspital administration was the number of infants brought in for treatment owing chiefly to the utter ignorance of so many young mothers of the elementary principles of maternity. Ho suggested that hospital boaTds and technical schools should co-operate in holding classes for the instruction of girls. Provision of a similar nature should be made for the instruction of boys. He felt confident that both the Education Board and all local boards would support it to the utmost of their powers. Tho Rev. W. A. Evans (Wellington) said he felt profoundly glad that this scheme should have been laid before the conference. At the same, time the duties of boards in the matter should be clearly defined. | Mr. Ewing- said he would be content to proceed if the motion were amended by adding the words "the whole cost of the scbome should be borne by the Health Department." Eventually Mr. Ewing consented not to press this amendment. Mr. Friedlander (Ashburton) also supported the proposal. Address by Mr. Hogben. Mr. G. Hogben (Inspector-General of Schools) addressed the conference, and said it would be a good thing if all girls were compelled, as in Switzerland, and in some parts of Germany, to attend continuation classes in domestic science' between the ages of fourteen and seventeen. - ' Sex education was one'of the most difficult questions that existed. It was exceedingly difficult to say when it should begin, and by whom it should be given. Undoubtedly the proper persons to convey this instruction, if they were themselves only rightly instructed, r would be tho fathers and mothers. The .first thing the public authorities should attempt was tp educate tho young fathers and mothers. The instruction should not begin at too early an age. Tho primary school was not the placo for it. The secondary school might be. To institute in Now Zealand as thorough a system of medical inspection of school children as was carried out in Gprmany, Mr. Hogben stated, would cost .£30,000 per annum. This, however, was not proposed. A less elaborate system would serve in New Zealand. The schenio outlined by Dr. Valintine would be workable without involving too great an expenditure. Dr. Finch said an important point, was that in this country it would bo possible to-treat; a child, whereas, in other countries, at the outset, inspection only, had been carried . out. The Education Board would provide the machinery for tho selection of children needing treatment. The Hospital' Boards and Health Department would complete the work. Dr. 'Hardwick-Smitb claimed that all must unanimously applaud the proposal submittdd by'D'r.'Valintine: -The boys" n nd girls of to-day''must be' got hold of in infancy if they were to become the strong •men and women of to-morrow. In a few years the good, results 'of medical inspection would far more than repay its cost. It was important, to the speaker's mind, that iv good deal of this work should bo done by outside doctors. The moro children thev inspected the less, there would be, eventually, to pay. 'This was the most important proposal that had been laid before the conference. The motion -was carried unanimously.