HEALTH OF SCHOOL CHILDREN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1055, 25 January 1913, Page 4

HEALTH OF SCHOOL CHILDREN.

Speaking at Rotorua recently, the Hoa. R. H. Rhodes referred to the important work being carried out by the Health Department in connection with the medical inspection of school children. He had just received :he first reports of the officers appointed, which showed that a great deal remained to be done to insure the health of children by preventing diseases in early years. Officers would shortly take up duties in the Canterbury district.

It came as a shock to learn that of 3343 children examined so large a proportion needed some form or other of medical treatment, and he was particularly astonished to find that of the children examined no less than 842 suffered from some form of physical deformity, 1321 from obstructed breathing, and no fewer than 1917 from defective teeth. These figures, however, must not be taken as representative of the normal state of affairs, many children having been brought forward on account of suspected delects. The returns showed that the late Government was fully justified in making appointments ; in fact, other appointments would probably have to be made to cope with the work. As regards phsical deformities, the recent appointment of a director of physical exercises should do a great deal to rectify them, as many of the delects are preventible, and can be rectified by well-directed physical exercises.