PHYSICAL DEFECTS IN BOYS

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4545, 18 December 1930, Page 2

PHYSICAL DEFECTS IN BOYS

S PUCES SB P L CORRECT! VE EXPERIMENTS., Auckland, Dec. Hi. Excellent results have followed the institution of remedial exercises and games at Auckland Grammar School for the correction of physical defects. The school is the largest in New Zealand, having a. roll number at the end of the year of 800, so that the physical classification test carried nut there should provide a reliable index to the general standard of physique among adolescent schoolboys. Reference to the physical welfare of the hoys was made by the headmaster, My. H. .1. D. Mahon, in his annual report at the break-ing-up ceremony. Mr. Mahon said the height, weight and posture of alt the boys were recorded, and all variations from norma! were noted. It was found that about, SO boys were not only far below weight for age ami height but also had delects of posture, Hat chests, Hat feet, round shoulders, exaggerated curves of the back, and in a few cases spinal curvatures. Remedial exercises and games for the correction of these defects were instituted, and subsequent tests revealed a marked general improvement, and in many eases complete elimination of serious physical abnormalities. “Under this organisation the most interesting squad in the gymnasium consists now of cripple and infantile paralysis eases,” said Mr. Mahon. “It is a delight to all of ns to note the improvement and the consequent happiness these hoys have obtained from exercises devised for them. Those below normal in weight or height for age were reserved for medical examination. In this woijk tv© had the co-operation of a committee of old l.iovs who are medical practitioners in the city. As a result of their examination 20 parents were notified of the cause of their boys’ ill-health or poor physique ami were advised to consult, their own doctors. Tilt is, with few exceptions, they did, and several boys who were listless and apparently dull have, since receiving the necessary medical attention, manifested a lively interest in their school work, and life. In the second term a standard test was used to reveal defects in eyesight. After an examination by the masters GO boys were sent to be reexamined by an oculist, I am glad to report that only in the case of a few of those were the parents put to the expense of providing glasses,”