HEALTH NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 134, 4 December 1930, Page 18

HEALTH NOTES

CHIL'DEEN'S CAMPS

CHRISTMAS SEALS

j (Contributed 'by the Department of .Health.) Although the records of school medical work in New Zealand show that in recent years tho children of the Dominion have impitovcd in general health and physique, at the same time scjiool doctors and nurseis come across a number of children suffering from malnutrition and conditions the forerunner of ill-health and diaease. For the purpose of treating tiheso under-nourished and physically retarded children they have boon accommodated in health camps under skillod. supervision. As a stimulus to grow.th, as an educative principle, and as a regulator of the nervous system the existence of those camps has proved invaluable, and their permanence would bp a boon to many j delicate children who require consideration in regulating their physical out-] put of energy and eliminating undue, fatigue. A great improvement in physi-1 cal and mental vitality of the children composing the health camp is always a striking example of fclio benefit to be derived from the simple routine which provides those facilities for health, fresh air, sunlight, connect food, rest, and exercise. During the next few weeks the public have an opportunity by purchasing tho Charity Stamp on sale at all post,offices throughout-the. Dominion to assist in an effort to provide health camps for the protection of ehildi'on liable to tuberculosis, and as indicated on the stamp, "Help to promote bealth." Thq double cross which is inctuded in the design of the stamp has seirved throughout tlie ages as a symbol of struggle for ideals, high thinking, ;Uid a better world, and was selected as> an international emblem - in 1902, utnder which different people should unite ■in peaceful strife against the seoutrge of humanity constituted by tuberculosis.-.Tho dou'blo cross is now an emblßni in more than 35 countries of the tvar waged against tuberculosis. By purchasing these stamps at 2d each a porson is assisting to transform an aiifeiig, sickly child into a, robust, happy one, and what.endeavour could be inor'e worthy? How can wo possibly reap greater and more lasting benefits than hy protecting our children from tuberculosis aiul diseases that handicap them in the battle of life?. We are told by an eminent ifiaithority that on tho whole the best children physically are the best children mentally, and a sound educational sjystem is not dependent iv childhood on improved methods of education only, bust on a body nurtured on a better feeding, ou nervous control and regulation, ■ and on a steady growth of bone, inue«le, or brain. : Tho educational md health authorities in New Zoalaud aim at torning out the best children physically and mentally, but through social contritions and Other causes thcro are cMldren attending our' schools who need supervision such as is provided in health camps. They need proper feeding., rest, fresh air, and sunlight. Without iCacilitics for treatment of such children-what is to be their fate? Thousands in the Dominion have now an opportunity to lieip, in some small mcasuro to provide such facilities.