SCHOOLS IN THE OPEN

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8344, 3 February 1913, Page 11

SCHOOLS IN THE OPEN

MEDICAL MEN'S RECOMMENDA-

TIONS.

The subject of open-air schools was discussed at the recent conference of medical men, held in Wellington. Dr Blactmorc, of Christchurch, moved: “That, as open-air teaching of children is a measure of considerable importance in helping to control the spread, of tuberculosis, the various Education. Boards throughout the Dominion be recommended to earnestly consider’ the advisability of establishing open-air schools, or openair teaching In connection with the present schools; that their attention be also drawn to the extreme usefulness, Irom a health joint of view, of open-air residential schools in suitable situations, where delicate children and those showing evidence of incipient tuberculosis can be sent for shorter or longer periods, and where their lives can bo regulated and their studies carried on under medical supervision.” Dr Blackmoro said that there were a considerable number of children who were in a poor state of health —he could not say definitely that they were tuberculous, but were just the class of child to become tuberculous —and it was far better that something should be done before they actually developed consumption, A very great deal could be done by seeing that during the daytime, at anyrate, they had abundance of fresh air. There were children who would with advantage to themselves be kept at school, provided they could be kept out .of doors, but it certainly would not be to their advantage to send them to school to bo shut up all day. With, regard to the second portion of the motion, he stated that the proposal would benefit those Children who could not, for financial reasons, be sent to the seaside, but after five or six months spent m & proper institution, where they would be properly fed and properly looked after, they would be so built up that they would have every chance of growing into strong men or women, instead of either dying or spending their lives as chronic Invalids.

The motion was seconded by Dr Hard-wick-Smith, of Wellington, and carried unanimously.