Health Camps for Delicate Children An Explanation and An Appeal

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 20, 27 November 1931, Page 10

Health Camps for Delicate Children

An Explanation and An Appeal

By Dr.

Ada

Patterson

~ A 2YA_ Address T we have growing up in New Zealand vigorous, happy, and intelligent children most of our trials. from a national point of view, become temporary. Courage and energy, endurance and good judgment, whether in an individual or a country, are most readily associated with health of body and mind. With what seems amazing rapidity, the children in school to-day will, in ten or fifteen

years, be running their own lives and helping to run the country. It is our duty to see that they enter the battle of life well equipped for it, and no one will dispute that the foundation of health, capability, and optimism is laid in youth. _ Weare justly proud of New Zealand children and of the records of our young people. It is inspiring, too, to note their growing devotion to out-of-doors. Tramping and swimming, camping and sports are taken up with enthusiasm and benefit. For all our grumbling about weather, the New Zealand climate with its liberal sunshine and winds that blow over miles of sea, unchecked even from their Antarctic. does offer unrivalled opportunities for healthy growth and development. TERE remains still, however, a group for " whom health is required. School medical statistics show that from seven to ten per cent. of New Zealand children are suffering from defective nutrition. This does not mean that these children have necessarily an inadequate food supply, but it does mean that a definite number do not attain to physical well-being, and of this group there is undoubtedly a percentage whose failure to progress is due to latent tuberculosis. Nowadays we are fortunately able to be more optimistic for such children, provided we are able to take early means to protect them. ~

Comparatively few peoplé would die from tuberculosis if all cases were recognised and placed under suitable treatment in the early stages of the disease. In fact, hope is the essence of , treatment for tuberculosis, and this applies to all cases. The children for whom I am making an appeal, however, are not suffering from tuberculosis; . they are suffering from poor vitality which often precedes it. We want to get them soon enough and make them strong enough to resist illness. There is, of course, no condition where good nutrition is more imperative than in this, but when it is found hand in hand with poverty, good nurture ° is impossible. :

4 To give delicate children a chance to grow strong is not only humane, it-is in accordance with commonsense, and even from cold financial considerations is desirable. ‘ The cost to the State of prevention is much less than the cost of cure: It is also a much more cheerful process to the individual and much more economical with regard to time and happiness. The recnits of health camps show

clearly what can be done by a simple ‘routine permitting plentiful sunlight and fresh air, good food, and an engrossing round of work, rest and play. So a regime works like a charm, and children who have once enjoyed the benefits of camp life are nearly always found to have begun the journey toward permanent health. In New Zealand the first health camp was held at Turakina, Wanganui district, under Dr. Elizabeth Gunn, on the property of, and with the very generous assistance of Mr. B. P. Lethbridge. Since that time many camps have been held in various parts of New Zealand. Voluntary organisations such as the Auckland Community Sunshine Association, the Waikato Health Camp Association, have been most active. Private citizens in many instances have been most generous. In, Wellington district there is at present a large area of land at Otaki beach given for the purpose of a health camp site by Mr. Byron Brown. A building is being erected thereon, and it is hoped that in January next it will be ready for occupation. Those of you who know Otaki can realise what health-giving opportunities and joyful interest there will be from living by the sandhills, near the shore and bush with plentiful sunshine and sea air.

The inevitable problem arises as to the upkeep of these camps. From the Dominion standpoint’ \, their value is undoubted. I have } tried to explain that they attend to the stitch which taken in time saves nine. For the last two years funds have been raised by the Christmas Stamp Campaign. You probably know the story of the origin of the Christmas Stamp-how it arose from: the inspiration of a young postal clerk in Denmark who was working late one Christmas Eve distributing greeting cards and letters. It occurred to him how excellent it would be if all the fortunate senders and recipients of such gifts would spend a fraction additional for the benefit of those to (Concluded on page 28.)

Health Camps (Continued from page 10.)

whom no Christmas cheer would otherwise come. He thought of a Christmas Stamp which would guarantee not only the postage of tne parcels of the fortunate, but would provide comfort to the needy. Not only in Denmark but in Great Britain: and America and in other countries also this idea has spread,

and the funds thus raised are devoted to anti-tuberculosis measures, to the Red Cross, to the care of War Orphans)’ or to some other object of national importance. In New Zealand this is the third Christmas season when health stamps have been on sale. The funds raised previously have assisted in running health camps to which I have referred and in establishing the building at Otaki. . There. has never been a time when their benefits have been more necessary. A Pathetic Leiter. { SHALL give you a sample of the kind of letter which reaches us frequently; this is written by the mother of a family: "As the job is ending this week it means my husband will be out of work. It is very hard for him to get on relief work as his right hand is crippled. We thought we might get the children in a_ health camp as they are not very strong. Owing to my husband being out xe work so long before he started his present job all the money he did earn went in food, rent, clothes, and back bills. Now this job is ending we won’t have a penny for anything." At present we have to realise that many children, though not actually starving, are existing on the barest necessaries for maintaining existence. All generous-minded people are anxious to help in cases like this. There is a pleasure in giving. If a few thousand of people in New Zealand would each buy even one Christmas Stamp a respectable sum would be raised to give health and happiness to the children of whom I have been/ speaking. If you cannot do anything more, therefore, will you please buy a few health stamps! They are on sale at all post offices. Those interested and willing to help further are invited to get.into touch with the local organisation concerned, or the Health Office.