SCHOOL CHILDREN'S HEALTH

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 215, 20 December 1910, Page 8

SCHOOL CHILDREN'S HEALTH

THE VICTORIAN REPORT. , The first report of the medical inspection of the Victorian Education Department was presented, to the Legislative Assembly in Melbourne last week. Since, their appointment twelve months ago, the three inspecting doctors, two oi whom are women, have given their attention chiefly to organising work, but they have found time to visit a number of typical State schools. Every child in the schools selected was closely examined, and notices were sent to the parents whose children,, were discovered to be suffering from serious defects, while meetings of parents were held to discuss the results of the examinations. The statistics prepared by the inspectors show that even in the best schools a startling proportion of defective and unhealthy children are in attendance. In the examination of nearly 3000 scholars, the report states, "the marked prevalence of certain defects has been very evident, but no less evident has been the rarity of, other well-known defects or diseases affecting children of school age, such as tuberculous glands of the neck, trachoma, skin diseases generally and special deformities." Definite lung trouble, except in one school, was found to be distinctly rare, though there was a fair percentage of doubtful cases, and lieait defects were variable in number. There was a relatively small proportion of children who had suffered from scarlet fever, diphtheria or rheumatism. The inspectors suggest that more attention should be given to the teaching of hygiene in the schools and they lay stress upon the importance of securing teachers who. are educated in the subject. They remark that one outcome of the training in hygiene will be the institution of more practical work in the schools. The teacher will pay constant attention to inculcating in the minds of the children healthful ideals as regards fresh air and cleanliness. One of the reforms to which the inspectors look forward is the abolition of common mugs, school towels and other means of spreading infection. The report outlines a comprehensive scheme of action. It is proposed to examine each State scholar four times during the school career of ; eight years. This will involve 34,000 examinations a year in the urban areas of Victoria alone, Considerable expenditure will be necessary, but by sanctioning it the State Parliament will place Victoria in the forefront of a particularly valuable movement in the educational field.