CARE OF THE TEETH.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4404, 21 April 1922, Page 1

CARE OF THE TEETH.

LECTURE TO SCHOLARS. AT PAEROA HIGH SCHOOL. NON-NUTRITIOUS FOOD GIVEN. Dr. H. A. Davies, School Medical Officer, attended the Paeroa District High School last week, when the pupils of Standards VI and II and the new entrants to the primers were examined. By examining <hese .classes, every, year it will be seen that as a rule each pupil is examined three times during the course of his or her school career. Commenting 'on his visit, the doctor stated that he had found a considerable number of cases of. sub-normal nutrition among the children. He attributed this not to the want of sufficient food, but to the unsuitabih ity of the food supplied. He strongly advocated the use of brown bread instead of white, and Bor the sake of the children he implored parents to ask for .whole-meal bread. In Chis connection the Health Department issued recently a pamphlet containing good advice to parents on such matters as sleep, fresh air!, baths, food, teeth, clothing and footwear, and, seeing thab the doctor found cause to rem,ark on the number of cases of malnutrition, we are pleased to reprint the section on food. If parents would only carry out the suggestions contained therein it. is certain there would not be so much sickness. Parents would oe well advised also .to give more attention to' the care of the childrep’s ■teeth, as much needless suffering and sickness are caused by carelessness in the matter of suitable food and teeth cleaning.

The following is the extract on food :

Food should be simple and well cooked. It is important to see that children have a good breakfast without hurry, as the fear of beihg late for school seriously interferes with a child’s appetite and digestion. Where lunch is carried to school sandwiches and, if possible, fruit should be taken; rich cakes and pastry or biscuits should not be allowed. Sandwiches, with a little meat, fish, eggs, or grated cheese, are more nutritious than with jam. Brown bread is a far more nourishing food than white bread. Honey is better for children than jam. A suitable diet for school-children may be selected from the following

Breakfast.;—Brown bread and butter or oat-.cake'; porridge with- milk or cream, and little or no sugar; the flavour and sweetness of porridge are improved by adding bran. ‘ ■ Eggs or fish, milk or cocoa. . No meat, no tea. Finish each meal with a piece of. raw apple.

Lunch (when taken at school). — Brown bread sandwiches as above, milk or cocoa (if obtainable), fruit. Dinner (preferably at middayf, or as soon as-possible after return from school, when appetite is keen). — Brown bread; Scotch broth, lentil or pei soup (which would take the place of 1 meat) ; meat; vegetables, potatoes.; milk puddings (semolina, rice, tapioca, etc)i, custards, plain suet puddings, with syrup or. jam, stewed fruit.

Tea (where dinner is taken at midday).—Brown bread, oat-cake, butter or honey! milk or cocoa, with or without porridge, frui.t as for breakfast.

Supper (where evening meal is taken early).—Brown bread, milk or cocoa. Finish with a piece of raw app!«. Avoid pickles, vinegar, tinned fpod, many sweets .buscuits, food between meals. It is essential that children’s months should be kept clean, and their teeth in good condition. Children should be taught to clean their teeth twice daily—in the morning and before going to bed, and if necessary should have the attention of a dentist.