PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELFARE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 35, 11 February 1939, Page 8

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELFARE

PHYSICAL FITNESS- 3

Dear People, Although infant mortality during the first 12 months of life is on the down-grade in almost every civilised country, a separate study of child-life shows that illnesses among pre-school children are increasing at an alarming rate. These illnesses are of great social importance, for they are initially responsible for incomplete development during childhood, adolescence and maturity, and result in both physical and mental disability. In New Zealand, the number of the inmates of public hospitals alone, between the ages of one and five years, has more than doubled itself during the past 20 years. Pre-School Age. It may possibly he argued that nowadays we send children to hospitals for complaints which were hitherto treated in the home. Such an argument, however, cannot apply to (say) the past four years, during which the number of pre-school cases in the public hospitals has increased 20 per cent., as against a population increase during the same period of three per cent. only. The research work of many years past on the part of British. American and Continental medical and other scientists has shown that there is a great lack of proportion in growth and development. in the case of most pre-school children. The body may grow tall; but the weight and the transverse dimensions do not increase at the same rate. I Wholesome Measuies. When once correct nutrition has > been adopted for the child (including regular hours of sleep and rest, plenty of fresh air and sunshine, pure water and pleasant environment), physical exercise will accomplish a great deal in the way of broadening the chest, developing the muscles and encouraging each part of the body to adapt its functions to a greater efficiency and a more harmonious growth. At the pre-school age, the child is instinctively and irresistibly impelled to incessant movement and activity. The most perfect exercise for the child, at this age, consists of free games, followed by adequate rest. This will provide all the “physical education’’ that the pre-school child needs, if he is healthy to begin with.

Five Years of Age. At about five years of age, one or two moderate (and natural) athletic exercises will benefit a healthy child, such as swimming, skating and running. There will be little danger of violating biological, physiological and psychological laws if these delightful exercises are permitted, to a iudicious extent. They will assist not only the child’s general health, founded on nutrition; but also will facilitate the development of his general physical co-ordination and sense of balance. The child should be encouraged to walk and to run barefoot on grass and natural soil and sand, avoiding paving-stones, concrete or asphalt, which place a heavy strain on the arch of the foot.

Pre-Natal Days. Before going on to the beginning of school years, it may be appropriate to include a few findings in relation to general physical exercises for women of child-bearing ages. Naturally, violent exercise should be avoided; and it has by no means been proved that excessive exerc.se can facilitate childbirth. On the contrary, the excessive development of a woman’s muscular system brings about a thick-

ening of Ihe bone-structure. This prevents the development of the pelvis, making it narrower than it should be. resembling the masculine shape. Moderate daily exercise, however (if nutrition is right) will keep the body fit and elastic, thus providing the most perfect conditions for woman's most vital function. The Child's Mother. The effect of long-continued violent exercise is being studied in Continental institutes which prepares women for the career of drill mistress. Dr. Karpinska, of Warsaw, has been taking out details during the past few years among large numbers of potential mothers between the age of 18 and 25. Here are some of the doctor's findings. Menstrual disturbances occurred in all cases except five per cent. Training had very little effect on the amount of pain experienced. In many cases menstruation was scanty; and with 10 per cent, of the women there was an absence of the menses altogether, for a more or less lengthy period. Athletics and Health. As regards illnesses among these highly trained women athletes, 10 per cent suffered from tonsilitis each year; eight per cent, from influenza; and 22 per cent, from bronchitis. The doctor remarks that these complaints were far too prevalent. He also notes what he calls “a most remarkable feature;” that is, the high frequency of nnpendicitis. In the 1931-33 classes. 15 per cent, were operated o.n for this complaint: in the 1932-34 classes, nine per cent.; in the 1933-35 classes, 17 per cent.; and in the 1934-36 classes. 16 per cent, were operated on for appendicitis.

Moderation in AH Things. Women athletes are usually flatchested. Most of the women taking part in the Olympic Games so far have been “chestless” and rather mannish, all round. By the way, all the women athletes who competed in the 800-metre race at the Amsterdam Olympic Games collapsed in hysterics at the finishing-line! However, moderate exercise under right conditions, along with sensible nutrition, gives lovely curves (in the right places!) to the female figure, and is an absolute essential to the health and beauty of all women and children. . Girls and women delight from the start of life in true grace and beauty; and any exercise that appeals to this sense in them is good for them. Sports and games based on natural and graceful movements, such as swimming, rowing, skating, running, dancing, rhythmic gynastic and archery, so long as they are not over-done, are all excellent for the future mothers of the race. Those ultra-modern women who intend to have perfect figures and perfect babies can attain their goal by abiding by the laws of nutrition, for those laws include a moderate amount of physical exercise without exalting it into a fetish. Yours as ever,

Authorities Synthesised—As enumerated previously. Additionally: Dr. Paul Godin, Paris; Dr. E. Matthias, Zurich; New Zealand Health Department; Dr. Rott, Frankfurt; Dr. R. Roussle, Berlin.