HYGIENE IN SCHOOLS.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 3 July 1917, Page 3

HYGIENE IN SCHOOLS.

PREVENTION OF DEFECTS. AIM OF MEDICAL INSPECTION. One of the most important matters discussed at the conference held at Auckland between inspectors and headteachers of schools, was that of the medical inspection of schools. In the course of an instructive address, Dr. Elizabeth MacDonald, medical inspector of schools, touched upon many points of interest and importance in connection With the health of school children. The work of medical inspection, she said, was not one which devolved solely upon the doctor; it was a matter of'equal concern to teachers who could greatly aid the work of the inspecting officers in the direction of detecting and preventing evils before they were fully developed. The aim of medical inspection, for instance, was not merely to provide spectacles for short sight, but to ensure that bad lighting and other wrong conditions did not produce defects in eyesight. •If every teacher realised the importance of proper conditions, such as good lighting and ventilation, intelligently directed exercise, etc., many ills would be avoided. Imperfect school conditions tended to introduce a number of defects which the medical inspector afterwards had to endeavour to remedy Many children entered school straight and well-grown, yet by the time they had reached Standard 11, these same children had developed curvative of the spine, rounded shoulders, and other defects. That the schools should be producing these things was a serious flaw in the eucation system.

A point that teachers often failed to realise, said Dr. MacDonald, was that sustained immobility in little children was an entirely wrong thing. Insistence of the discipline which kept the child's muscles, sitting or standing, 'in one position for a long time, was distinctly harmful. Certain positions insisted on in the primer classes imposed a severe strain, where there should be no strain. The correct position for little children was that which was constantly changed; the wrong position was that maintained for undue length of time.

1 The matter of proper feeding of children Avas also dealt with by the speaker, who referred to the evils of malnutrition." "I would like to see an experiment made," she said, "in the direction of providing hot cocoa and suitable meals for the children, especially in cold winter weather. Many of them get nothing to. eat between breakfast in the morning, and a hot dinner at half-past five or six at night, save the bit of lunch they bring with them, and something warm and nourishing during the day would be of great advantage.

In commenting upon Dr. MacDonald 's remarks, Mr. E. K. Mulgan ?poke of the very great importan J ce of Ihe proper care of the eyes and teeth of young children. A previous speaker had mentioned that in a school containing 550 children, fully 500 were in need of dental attention. The dental problem was one of the most difficult that hr.d to be faced, and one of far-iwaching importance. The health of the children was far the most important factor in education, and more important at the present time than ever before. The number of medical inspectors shcild be largelj r increased, he considered, and every teacher should do all in his r.r her power to aid the work doctors. Several questions on various points connected with health of pupils were put to Dr. MacDonald on the conclusion of her lecture, and a vote of hearty thanks was passed unanimously.