Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1935. MALNUTRITION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 17, 1 November 1935, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1935. MALNUTRITION.

The report on the physical condition of the children attending the Ashburton East School forcibly directs local attention to a matter that is engaging serious consideration not only throughout this dominion but in many parts of the world. The trouble, as is stated by local medical men, is not due to insufficiency of food, but to errors in dieting and wrong preparation of foods. Compared with the standard of the older countries of the world New Zealand children are very healthy, and it is a matter for congratulation that Dr. Baker-McLaglan, speaking with a wide knowledge of the subject, is able to assure us that on the whole those in Ashburton are a fine robust lot. But gratifying as the comparison is, the fact remains that there are many who, from one cause or another, are not reaping to the full the advantages that Nature and social conditions provide. The gravity of the position lies in its relation to the future of the nation. To have a race of healthy adults there must be strong well-nourished children. Much of adult misery and suffering rests on a foundation laid in childhood, for if imperfect feeding and other unsatisfactory conditions prevail the liability to the contraction of disease becomes evident. This dominion has led the way in regard to the case of infants, with great benefit to the people in many ways, but there is need for a movement that will carry the good work further. The holding of health camps is a commendable step that must have influence for good and therefore should receive wholehearted support. But a period of from three to six weeks in such camps, while it may do wonders, as Dr. Baker-McLaglan says, will jipt go to the root of the trouble. What is needed is avoidance of the causes that lead to malnutrition, the errors in diet, .clothing, hygiene and other contributory conditions. The statement made by Dr. Baker-McLag-lan yesterday is a valuable one, placing salient facts in a manner that compels attention. Good should come out of the awakening of the people to a realisation of the position and their instruction in the means by which its continuance can be avoided;