HEALTH OF CHILDREN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 202, 15 January 1913, Page 6

HEALTH OF CHILDREN.

WORK TO BE DONE.

WHAT MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS DISCLOSE. Rotorua, January 12. Speaking yesterday at the opening of the new cottage hospital, the lion. 1!. 11. Rhodes referred to the important work being carried out >by the Health Department in connection with the medical inspection of school children. lie had just received the first reports of the ollicers appointed, which showed that a great deal remained to be done to ensure the health of children by preventing dl-eases in early years. Olllcers woidd shortly take up duties in the Canterbury di-irk-'t.

It came as a shock to learn that of ">:ii:; children examined so large a proportion needed some form or other of medical treatment, and he was particularly astonished to find that of the children examined no fewer than 842 suffered from some form of physical deformity, 13"21 from obstructed breathing, and no fewer than 1017 from defective teeth. These figures, however, must not be taken as representative of the norma] state of affairs, many children having been brought forward on account of suspected defects. The returns 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 great deal to reetify tliem. as many of the defects are preventive, and can be rectified by welldirected physical exercises.