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“PERNICIOUS.”

SWEETS FOR. CHILDREN

CRITICISM OF PRACTICES AT SCHOOL FUNCTIONS.

Teeth cleanliness was a matter discussed at Tuesday’s meeting of the Wanganui Education Board. In view of the recognised necessity for healthy childhood in New Zealand the matter was of more than passing interest.

Mr. Thomas A. Hunter, director of the Division of Dental Hygiene of the Department of Health wrote to the Board referring to the complaints he had received from parents in connection with what be described as a “pernicious practico throughout New Zealand.” By this, Mr. Hunter meant the distribution to children of manufactured concentrated sugar in the form of sweetened cakes at school break-ing-up ceremonies, picnics and functions.

“In these days,” wrote Mr. Hunter, “when so much thought is given and money expended by the Govern--ment in the best interests of the health of the children, it is much to be regretted that these efforts are nullified to a great extent by, shall we say, the mistaken kindliness of local bodies and school committees in the manner indicated. @

“I trust,” he concluded, “that your Board will see its way to bring this very important matter before all school committees in your district in the hope that they will cooperate.” “I think we should take notice,’ remarked Mr. W. Adams. “The time will come when we’ll have to take notice.” TOOTH-BRUSH DRILL. Dr. Elizabeth Gunn, medical officer to the Wanganui Education Board, was present at the meeting and made a report on the matter. “I regret to inform you,” she said, “that the tooth-brush drill which up to now has been universal in the schools is being discontinued. Board members will be surprised to hear that this is due to the negligence of the ‘most careful’ parents. Those who know that their children’s mouths are in a clean condition seem to think that for us to ask that their children do the drill is almost an insult.”. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT. “When every child did -the drill,” continued Dr. Gunn, “every child’s mouth was clean and healthy. Such is not the. case now and I regret it. However I would like the Board to thank the teachers for the excellent way they have always carried out this drill and their enthusiasm for it. The teachers are not to blame for the stopping of the drill buf parents do not seem to realise that most of the infectious conditions commence by inflamation of the mucous membranes of the nose and throat. I do not hesitate, to say that the excessive numbers of children who suffered from infection last year were due to ueglect iu the cleansing and hygiene of the mouths of the children.”

Mentioning organised lunches, Dr. Gunn said that these were not being carried out in some of the schools as well as might be done. Dr. Gunn detailed the obvious advantages of tbe systematic procedure of taking lunch. At the. conclusion of Dr. Gunn’s report the Board chairman (Mr. W. A. Collins) thanked her for her remarks and assured her that her opinions would be featured. A circular letter on the matter is to he sent to school committees in the district.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MH19280218.2.3

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3756, 18 February 1928, Page 1

Word count
Tapeke kupu
526

“PERNICIOUS.” Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3756, 18 February 1928, Page 1

“PERNICIOUS.” Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3756, 18 February 1928, Page 1

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