Malnutrition of Children

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 146, 17 March 1934, Page 9

Malnutrition of Children

Sir, —Dr. Ada Paterson, director of the division of school hygiene, is reported as having stated that "there was no evident increase in the percentage of children suffering from malnutrition.” Malnuptrition means, I believe, lack of food. There seems to be a great deal of similarity between the above statement and that of Sir George Newman in his recent report as chief medical officer of the Ministry of Health. He states: “There appears to be no measurable sign of impairment of the physique of the children, and nothing to show that, as yet. their health has been lowered.” It is important to note that the words “as vet” were used, because, on November 24. “The Lancet” stated that “the rate of malnutrition of school children was 11.2 per 1000 in the last recorded year, as against 10.6 in the year before, and 9.5 in 1926.” Would figures, in-New Zealand, again show that there is a great difference between opinions, even medical, and facts?—l am, etc.. A. DOUGLAS MANN. Wellington, March 14.