13

E.-l

So far the work has been mainly experimental; but the results are sufficient to justify the existence of the system and to show the necessity for its extension. During the year 1913 333 primary schools were visited, and 12,357 children medically examined ; of these, 7,661 were pupils in Standard II taken at the routine examination, and 4,696 were special cases thought by the teachers to be suffering from some defects. The Medical Inspectors do not treat cases, but, where necessary, recommend the parents to obtain medical attention for their children. Generally this advice appears to be followed ; but there is a proportion of cases in which the expense of treatment is an obstacle. This is especially the case with dental disease ; and, unfortunately, no less than 72 per cent, of the children examined in Standard II were found to be suffering from defective teeth. The injurious effects of obstructive breathing on a child's physical and mental condition ought now to be a matter of common knowledge, yet about a third of the children at the routine examination, and a higher percentage of the special cases, were found to be thus handicapped. The Inspectors think that in many cases correct breathing-exercises and fresh air are the only remedies necessary. Too many children were found suffering from physical deformities ; 22 per cent, have stooped shoulders, and 7 per cent, have spinal curvature. It is hoped that the new system of physical training will do much to improve this condition of things. Malnutrition was observed in 23 per cent, of the children, although not in all cases serious. Here it is noticed that it is not so much poverty as ignorance or carelessness on the part of the parents that is responsible for the poor condition of these children. Excessive manual labour outside ©f school-hours, overcrowding in the homes, unsuitable and badly cooked food, and late hours are all possible causes to which this lack of robustness is attributed. It is clear that a great amount of good is being done by the Medical Inspectors in cases where other medical assistance is unnecessary. Remedies that cost little or nothing are recommended, and wrong and harmful methods of rearing the children corrected. Often dullness and incapacity have been found to be due to some physical defect, such as defective eyesight or hearing, or throat and nose troubles. Instruction in the medical inspection of children is given to the students of the training colleges, and, as opportunity occurs, to teachers already in the schools also ; so that in course of time the detection of certain physical defects in the scholars will not be left to the experts. From figures compiled from the weights and heights of some fifteen thousand children returned by school-teachers last year, it appears that the average New Zealand child is heavier and taller than the average English child of the same age. The Medical Inspectors also report on the schools in respect of the lighting, heating, ventilation, cleanliness, &c, and there are many instances in which suggested improvements involving no expenditure have been effected. Emphasis is placed on the value of fresh air, and teachers are encouraged to teach out of doors or in open shelters whenever it is possible. It can scarcely be questioned that great benefits must follow this spread of hygienic principles among parents, teachers, and scholars. The expenditure on medical inspection for the financial year ended the 31st March, 1914, was —salaries, £1,385; travelling-expenses, £458; material, apparatus, forwarding charges, &c, £2,340 : total, £4,183. Physical Education. (Appendix G of E.-2.) The new system of physical education, the establishment of which was announced in last year's report, has made good progress, about a third of the teachers having received a course of instruction that has adequately fitted them to bring the system into operation in their schools. The experience of other countries having proved the futility of expecting teachers to gain the necessary