HEALTH RESEARCH.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 134, 9 June 1927, Page 8

HEALTH RESEARCH.

T.B. AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN INTERESTING CONCLUSIONS. OUTLINE OF YEAR'S WORK. ~~ (From Onr Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The research work done in the past year concerning the health of the people was briefly described to the Board of Health to-day by Dr. M. H. Watt, Deputy-Director-General of Health. In th» laboratory, said Dr. Watt/ investigations had been made into the nature and causation of infantile paralysis, and rheumatoid arthritis and allied rheumatic conditions. Dr. Steenson's investigations served to prove that the claims with regard to the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis by the aid of serological tests could not be maintained. So far the findings had l»een more or less of a negative nature. The third inquiry carried out at Dunedin was one into goitre.

Among the inquiries made "in the field," was one into the incidence of tuberculosis in school children. This was carried out by Drs. Mary Champtaloiip and Eleanor Baker McLaglan, of the school medical staff. The method adopted was, briefly, as follows:—The consent of the parents was obtained, and then a harmless test was applied in certain standard schools, taking in town and country alike, to determine the incidence of infection with tuberculosis It was found that infection was less among New Zealand school children than among tlie children of the older countries; that Maoris were infected to a greater extent than Europeans; and that town children were infected to a greater extent than country children. Diet for Weak Children. Dr. Watt then briefly outlined the work proposed to bo undertaken during the coming year. 'This," said Dr. Watt, "will include further investigation of infantile paralysis, hydatid*, rheumatic diseases, goitre and cancer. The school division of the department has established some nutrition classes in different places, where advice is given in respect of the dietary of the physically defective child. Observation will be carried out as to the growth and development of children attending these classes. Attention will be devoted to Hie preschool child, and detailed observations will be made in regard to children who are contacts with cases of tuberculosis in their homes.

"An intensive system of 'follow-up' will be adopted, and advice will be given in regard to dietary, habits, housing, etc. Maternal Mortality. "Another important study which it is hoped to undertake is one into maternal mortality. We now have a relatively small number of maternal deaths in New Zealand, and it is thought that a detailed inquiry into each individual case might be productive of some good. This inquiry, if it is undertaken, will be under the personal direction of Dr. Jellett, an acknowledged authority on the subject. Closely allied with the matter is the first-month mortality of infante."