CHILD HEALTH

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25607, 23 September 1948, Page 2

CHILD HEALTH

VIEWS OF PROFESSOR SPENCE

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, September 22. Throughout the whole of Britain there was a steadily increasing knowledge of child health and welfare, said Professor J. C. Spence, professor of child health at Durham University, Newcastle-on-Tyne, who arrived by flying-boat from Sydney on a brief visit to New Zealand. This increasing knowledge was yielding extraordinary rewards, the credit for which must go to the mothers of England. Child mortality in the industrial areas, some of which were formerly depressed areas, was falling almost as low as the New Zealand rate.

One of the amazing things was how the health of the children had been retained in spite of the war and rationing both during and since the war. Th£ health of children had been better than before. One of the reasons was the system of priorities under rationing for nursing mothers and children. This might require some sacrifice by adults, but everyone accepted it willingly. Another reason* was an increase in knowledge.

Very abstruse scientific problems were involved in the question why infantile paralysis should spread, said Professor Spence. Only during this century- had it reached epidemic form. England had its first big epidemic last year. Before that there had been only small outbreaks. The disease appeared now to be affecting a greater proportion of adults. It assumed epidemic form in countries where standards of nutrition and cleanliness were highest. Questioned about proper diet for children, Professor Spence said it was a very simple thing. Any sensible mother ought to be capable of understanding it with only slight instruction. It was a matter of putting responsibility more and more on to the mother.

Professor Spence expressed his pleasure at having the opportunity of visiting New Zealand where “so much pioneer work has been done in child welfare and child health.” He is visiting New Zealand after lecturing to post-graduate societies in Australia at the invitation of the post-graduate committee of the British Medical Association.