T.B. IN THE SCHOOLS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3933, 20 April 1929, Page 3

T.B. IN THE SCHOOLS.

MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS. HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND TEACHER,S. A scheme to combat the ravages of tuberculosis toy ta'king steps to examine'in the schools, the children who were known to have run the of infection in their homes, was before Wednesday's meeting of the Wanganui Education Board. The Department requested the Board’s permission 'to allow the school medical officers to circularise head teachers with a view to arranging a Ibasis of co-operation in order, to keep the children referred to under observation. Mr J. K. iHornblow considered that the suggestion only touched the fringe of the thing. There was no use sending Imedical officers into the schools every now and then They could not cope with it. • “Take Dr. Chinn, for instance,” he said. “She attends Foxton about once every year. What chance would she have of keeping track of all the children. She couldn’t do justice to it.” • ..

The speaker sugested that Dr Blaokiniore’s scheme, and that of the lOhristchurch Hospital Board, was the only correct method. The children should he taken right away and properly treated. The proposals before the Board would on-, ly scare the parents without cause. Mr J. Aitken pointed out that the .scheme Was to deal only with children who were known to have come from homes that were infected. Mr .Hornlblow added that there was a scheme on foot to grapple with the disease all over the Dominion, under a group system. There would be two groups in the North Island. At Paljmerston N. there was a clinic were suspects could be. examined free of charge. The object was to deal with children who were known to be subject to infection, was how Mr J. S. Tinjgey viewed the scheme under discussion. That would he a very fine help. Mr W. H. Oram wanted to know where those responsible were going to get their infonmation from. What system would be employed to find out if children had become open to infection in their homes? There were children who had the disease in an incipient stage, and they were liable to be overlooked if they concentrated on those who had been thrown open to infection, only. Mr Adams considered that it was the Board’s duty to back up the School medical officer. She knew her job and gave the children thorough examination. The Chairman (Mr W. A. 'Collins) agreed with Mr Hornblow, but said that it was best for, the Board to approve of the Health Department’s scheme, even though it did not fully cover the problem. Permission was granted the Department to circularise head teachers. —Wanganui Chronicle.