HEALTH NOTES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5347, 5 November 1928, Page 3

HEALTH NOTES.

STRONG SCHOOLCHILDREN. SUGGESTIONS TO PARENTS. (Contributed by the Department qi Health.). , The; health of children is of the greatest national importance, and the parent who brings up a child healthy and virile performs the. greatest service to the Empire. In order, that your child may receive the fullest benefit from his school training and grow up to be a healthy and vigorous citizen you are asked to do your, part by attending to the following matters 1 When, notified by the School MedP cal Officer that your child is suffering from defective eyesight, enlarged tonsils, adenoids, or other, abnormal condition, you should at onc.e consult your own doctor or get advice at the public hospital. Children cannot receive full benefit frqm mental or. physical work until such defects are removed. SLEEP AND FRESH AIR. ■ For children under twelve years of age there should be twelve hours soured sleep nightly. AH children require at least ten hours of quiet, refreshing sleep in . a welVair-ed bedroqm with open windows. Many> young children are not sent to bed early enough and do not get enough rest. Delicate, nervous, and excitr able children especially nepd sleep. The excitement of evening ente;ntainments or noisy rqmps at bedtime is very harmful, and interferes .with sleep and health. • Each c;hild should have his own; bed if at all possible, and should never sleep in any clothes worn during the day. The house; should be well ventilated, and it is especially important at night to have all bedroom windows wide open an,d the bedroom door wide open. It is better still to use a* sleeping pqrch. This' is the best preventive of colds. The bed should be out of the direct draught. If children are nervqus with bedroom windows wide open, fasten wire- netting, across.

All children should have, a hot bath at least onc.e a week for cleansing. A cold bath or a quick cold spongq every morning is to most children,, a very valuable skin and nerve tonic. Scihqolchildren- should have the hair well washed, once weekly. Every child’s bowels should move; at least onc.e a day. Children shoiild. ma.ke a practice of going to the; closet at the same time daily—after breakfast, before leaving fon school. A habit of the bowels is thus set up. Neglect of. this simple rule may. be. the cause o»f Serious trouble and: lifelong constipation. Bran added to porridge (me part briin) to four parts oatmeal) keeps the bowels regular. Teach children that it is disgusting not to wash their hands on leaving the ciqset. FOOD. Teach children to wash their hands before meals. Food should be simple aiid well cooked. It should include a plentiful supply of butter, fresh milk, fresh vegetables, and fruit, it is important that children should, have a good breakfast without hurij, as the fear of bejng late for school seriously interferes w?th.a child’s appetite and. digestion. Where lunch is carried) to scliopf sandwiches.’ and, i f possible, fruit should be taken). Rich cakes and pa.stry or biscuitts should not be allowed. Sandwiches with filling made from a little meat, fish, eggs,, grated cheese, nuts, raisins, dates, celery,- or . tomato are mope nutritious than with jam. Wholemeal breadi' is far more nourishing than white .bread. A suitable die for! sc.hoolchildren may be selected front -the following Breakfast.—Wholemeal bread, oven toast, or oat cake (something hard! to chew) ; stewed fruit; porridge with milk or 'cream and no sugar; eggs or fish; milk or cocoa or water; no meat and no-tea. Lunch (when tajte.n at) schc>ol).— Wholemeal sandwiches as above ; lettuce, c.eleny, toanato, or btlher fruit > milk qr cocoa. . Dinner (preferably at mid-day).— Scotch broth or other vegetable soup, lentil or pea squp; figh, egg an.d cheese dishes (which, would) take the place of meat)'; meat ;> vegetables, especially green vegetables; potatoes, milk puddings ; cflstards ; plain suet pudding; stewed or raw fruit. Tea (where dinner; is taken at midday).—Wholemeal bread, oven toast, or oat cake; butter.*® th'oney or ; uncooked salad vegetables or fruit; milk or water.

Children should drink three or four glasses ©£ water daily, preferably between meals.

Note.—Owinjg, to- its effect in pre- 1 venting dental 'decay it is wise; to conclude each meal with, a small piece of fresh frjut or salad vegetable—e.g., apple, celery, radish, or even a small piece of carrot.

Avoid pickles, vinegar, tinned' f°°A fried moats, many sweets or. biscuits, food between meals. Note. —Vigorous exercise of the

jaws in chewing hard fcjod is absolutely pecessary for tjhe proper develop- / me,nt of the teeth, jaws, and nose. Therefore all crusts should be eaten, ars' oyer-toasted bread is beneficial. It is essential that children’s months shpuidr be kept clean and their teeth in good condition. Children should be taught to clean teeth twice daily—in the morning and? before; gcing to bedt—and whenever; necessary have the attention ,°f a dentist. CLOTHING. , All clothing, of children should be clean, warm, and light, not excessive, and sufficiently Mose to, allow of perfect freedom ofmovernent. It i» good for children to gp barelegged (preferably with sandals) :in summer, but in the winter warm stockings are > advisable, and the abdomen and thighs as far as the knee should’ bewell covered. For gjrls a suitable c'pptiume for genera)" wear and for physical exercise and games, is ai loose tjupic hanging from the shoulders and reaching to the knee, a.lopse blouse with sleeves, loose enough to, allow the arms to stretch fully overhead, a 1 pair

of dark knickers, with washable underknickers in winder. In summer loqse frocks and knickers may be made off the same washable material, corsets ant) bodices which do not allow the freest expansion of the chest and abdqmen are absolutely condemned. A loose home;-made bodice 03- the “Liberty” bodice sold by drapers is best. Woven singlet of. thickness suitable for the season. There should be; no tight elastic bands round the waist or thighs. To obtain beauty of figure, and a strong and straight back absolute freedom is essential.

For boys the following is suitable : In winter, pants with washable underpants, a loqse flanjtfel shirt or jersey giving plenty of room at the neck apd wrists, a woollen! undershirt. In the summer, washable “shorts,” a light flannel shirt with or without thin singlet, or a cotton shirt with thin wool or aertex singlet. Belts, if worn, should be loose, but good braces when practicable are praferable.

. On hot, sunny days it is important that the back of the neck be protected by wide-brimmed hat or sun helmet.

Note.—No child is properly clothed who has not a handkerchief, 'lt is a most important article both. for health and cleanliness.

Beware of boots whiclh are too short or have narrow or pointed toes. They cause corns,, bunions, and ugly deformity of the toes, which lead to much suffering in ;a.fter. life. The toes should havq plenty of room to spread; heels must be broad and flat. Sandals are good wear for summer time. Both in summer and winter children are better to gp barefooted than to wear leaky apd unsuitable, boots. It is; fj. good P lan k€6 P a (,ry change of footwear -for use in school.

Remember: Health, is m.ade or. marred during the growing period. Health means happiness. Health means economy. Health is every child’s natural birthright.