HEALTH OF SCHOOL CHILDREN.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 83, 9 April 1910, Page 3

HEALTH OF SCHOOL CHILDREN.

' TO THE EDITOR. Sir — Far too much importance is being 1 attached to tho medical report obtained by tho Education Board on tha Te Aro school children's physical condition.., Apart from tho general physical condition of the school children, which is at least not at all alarming, I am perfectly satisfied that tho condition of Iheir oyes, ears, and noses is quite up to the human average, and that the teachers and parents"" havo enough intelligence and power of observation to notice any important defects. There is far too much medical, and especially surgical, tinkering with the nose and its annexes, and frequently the unfortunate patient finds himself in a state worse than belore. Too many, children wear spectacles, too. Most children's eyes, Unless they are near-sighted, become normal as the children grow up. If long-sighted children wear spectacles, the trouble persists through life, and they have to wear spectacles always. It is just like making a child with weak back muscles wear stays instead of giving him physical exercises. If an expert in physical exercises and in breathing exercises wero appointed to the schools instead of a medical inspector, much more good would be done. — I am, etc., EXPERIENTIA DOES IT.' Wellington, 7th April, 1910.