THE PLUNKET SOCIETY,

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17986, 3 April 1930, Page 6

THE PLUNKET SOCIETY,

The work of the Plunket Society among babies is recognised and praised the world over, but there is a comparatively new phase of the Society’s functions that docs not seem to be adequately known, or at least is not taken advantage of. That is consultation between mother and nurse about children between what is usually termed the “Plunket Age” and school age. This activity of the Society was launched about three months ago, yet the children concerned have not made their appearance to any appreciable extent at the various Plunket Rooms. The majority, no doubt, take the view that once a child has undergone its alloted months of Plunket food and training, it is a Plunket child for good, and the gratuitous advice of experts can be dispensed with. Thus the initial ground work and foundation l'or the child's life-long health is to a certain measure lost. It is naturally quite impossible for the Plunket Society lo maintain itself as guide throughout the child’s life, but it can, and wishes to, watch the child as far as it is able over the most serious and dangerous part of its early existence. In doing so no insinuation on the ability of a mother to look after her own child is inferred; the Society merely places at (he disposal of the mother the knowledge of world authorities lo aid her in matters to the mutual advantage of her child and herself. Many children of the critical age referred to present no apparent difference lo the lay knowledge from the ordinary healthy youngster, yet to those who- have made it a business to study these tilings little or serious irregularities arc readily discerned. That is where what might be termed the “post baby’’ work of the Society comes in. By watching carefully at regular intervals the progress of a child the nurses can perform invaluable services in the way of preventative measures. Taken in -time many menial peculiarities and physical defects can be eradicated which would otherwise in many cases mean suffering throughout life. To the visiting mother bringing her child the nurse will give the necessary advice on such subjects as the proper weight for the child's age, diet, teeth, general health, and the hundred and one things that go to form the sturdy radiant healthy children every mother naturally desires. All this service is available free at the Hamilton and Frankton Plunket Rooms on the first Friday of each month, and every mother whom it concerns is urgently advised to avail herself of it.