THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 200, 13 January 1913, Page 5

THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH.

i i ' _ : 40» . MR. HEATOX RHODES SPEAKS OUT. By Telegraph —Press Association. Rotorua. Last Night; The Hon. Mr. Rhodes to-day forma'.ly opened the new cottage hospital and infectious diseases hospital. Dr. Valintine v/as also present. In the course of a speech the Minister said that it had 'been represented that the Plunket nurses might with advantage combine Plunket work with maternity nursing. The suggestion met with the sympathy of the Department, and Dr. Truby King. Another important branch of the Department's work was the medical inspection of schools. He had just received the first reports of the officers appointed, which showed that a great deal remained to be done to ensure the health of the children by preventing diseases in early years. Four officers would shortly take up their duties in the Canterbury district. It came as a shock to him to learn that of 3343 children examined, so large a proportion need some form or other of medical treatment, and he was particular'y astonished to find that of the children examined no fewer than 542 suffered from some form of .physical deformity, 1321 from obstructed breathing, and no fewer than 1917 from defective teeth. Though these figures must not be taken as representative of the normal state of affairs, many children having been brought forward on account of suspected defects, the return showed that the> late Government was fully justified in making appointments. In fact, other appointments would probably have to be made to cope with the work. As regards physical deformities, the recent appointment of a director of physical exercises should do a very great deal to rectify them, as many oT the defects are preventable and can be rectified by well-directed physical exercises. Mr. Rhodes expressed regret at the absence of Dr. WohVmann, who had done such excellent work, gaining a world reputation, and all would agree with him in hoping that Dr. Wohlmann would.soon return to carry on the scien-' 'tific work he had inaugurated.