H.—3l

28

Kew Open-air School.—Dr. Stevenson gives returns for the pupils attending the open-air school for children of subnormal nutrition at Kew, Dunedin. The statistics given indicate that the school is doing good work, definite improvement in the nutrition of the pupils being noted. Diphtheria Immunization. Immunization against diphtheria was carried out in the Manurewa School, Auckland, toxinantitoxin (Commonwealth Serum Laboratories) being used. Dr. Wilson inoculated 146 children without incident. Several children of pre-school age were among those receiving the immunization. • Special Investigations. Special investigations of considerable interest were carried out by various School Medical Officers. It is unfortunately impossible to print these in full. Notes on the first three are to be found in the appendix. Information with regard to others is given briefly below : — (1) " Maori and Pakeha " continued from last year's report, Dr. Turbott, Medical Officer of Health and School Medical Officer, Gisborne. See appendix. (2) " Observations on the Physical Condition and Postural Deformities, New Zealand Schoolchildren, 1929," Dr. Mar}' Champtaloup, School Medical Officer, Auckland. (3) A Survey of the Menstrual Function of Training-college Students and Senior High-school Girls," I)r. Grace Stevenson, School Medical Officer, Otago. (4) Dr. McLaglan forwards result of an investigation —" Notes on Nutrition in an Orphanage." This investigation included observations with regard to diet, work done, amount of sleep, rigidity of discipline. The height-weight-age ratio was used as a basis for estimating nutrition. It was noted that care had been taken for the removal of remedial defects ; the teeth were particularly good : tonsils and adenoids had been removed when necessary at the hospital. In 1928, 89 per cent, of the children were below normal weight for height, 5-4 per cent, normal, and 5'4 per cent, above weight for height. As a result of recommendations made to the Superintendent, the diet was made more liberal, more milk and eggs being used, and more rest and less work prescribed. The result of this is that in 1929 there was definite improvement, 65 per cent, being below weight for height, 7-7 per cent, practically normal, and 27-5 per cent, being above weight for height. The children were also reported to look better, and seemed much livelier. Heredity and the previous personal history have also to be considered as factors influencing the nutrition of the children. (5) Mentally retarded children was the subject of an investigation by Dr. Wilkie —home conditions, physical defects, family and personal history being investigated. The methods used at the special classes in the Auckland District for the training of the pupils are outlined. Special care is taken to ensure the removal of remedial defect. (6) Dr. Mary Wilson conducted an inquiry into the result of removal of tonsils and adenoids. Two groups were observed : (1) Children who had been operated upon for enlarged tonsils and adenoids ; (2) children who were suffering from enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Home conditions, diet, &c., were thoroughly investigated. Each group contained about 100 children. A distinct improvement was to be noted in the group where children had had their tonsils and adenoids removed. " This improvement is more marked the longer the time has elapsed since removal. For instance, those who have "had their tonsils and adenoids removed say four years previously show a bigger increase in height and weight than those who have had them removed only one or two years previously.". They are on the average taller and heavier and have superior nutrition to the second and neglected group. (7) Dr. Phillipps, School Medical Officer, forwards observations on infectious disease epidemics in Canterbury, with special reference to carriers in scarlet fever. (8) Dr. Wilkie forwards observations contrasting a group of children in ordinary class-room with those in one with Vita glass windows. Findings are as yet inconclusive. The School Hygiene Division wishes to exjjress appreciation to the Education Department, various Education Boards, School Committees, and teachers for much valuable co-operatin. A. G. Paterson, Director, Division of School Hygiene.