HEALTH OF WOMEN

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 109, 1 February 1935, Page 5

HEALTH OF WOMEN

Medical Man’s Address A warning regarding the health of the women of England was given by Sir George Newman, Chief Medical Officer to the Ministry of Health, when he attended a display of gymnastics and national dancing at the Albert Hall last month, says the “Observer.” The display was organised by the National Council of Girls’ Clubs, and was watched by the Duchess of York, the president. Although the health of the women of England was good it was not as good as it should be, said Sir George. There was an excess of sickness among insured women which was largely preventable; there was much more fatigue, weakness, and lassitude among girls and women than was their normal share; the great social disease of tuberculosis was more prevalent among young women than young men; there was too much preventable anaemia in girls and women; and it had been found by inquiry that among twelve-year-old girls as many as forty-two per cent, showed defects of posture and carriage as compared with thirty-one per cent, in boys of the same age.

There was also, he said, the risks of motherhood, which were not being reduced as they should be in the light of modern knowledge. “There is one primary and fundamental answer to thes problems,” declared Sir George. “It is that we must train and educate our children in the physical art of good living, for their problems cannot be solved without that. “I do not say that English girlhood is not still the best upon earth, but I do say that there is indisputable evidence which proves that there is need for the national development of physical training, culture, and guidance for all girls of all classes in this country.”

Between 700 and 800 working women and girls took part in the performance. They included factory workers, shorthand typists, seamstresses, and domestic workers from all parts of London. There was a display by forty unemployed women from Lancashire, who had joined classes of the Council. Not one of these women was under 35 years, and the eldest was sixty. Their display was not excelled by the younger performers. The Duchess, who wore an evening cloak of coral velvet, with a bandeau of diamonds in her hair, watched the display from the Royal box, and during the interval (the performers formed a guard of honour across the arena through which the Duchess walked to the platform to address them. “It is so important to try to keep fit,” she added, “but I know it is not always easy in the hurry and rush of busy Jives; therefore, I am especially pleased to seesuch a splendid performance as that which I have seen to-night.”