MEDICAL, REPORT

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 35, 10 August 1934, Page 11

MEDICAL, REPORT

CHILDREN'S HEALTH CAMP

lii combating malnutrition among schoolchildren valuable assistance has been demonstrated by the usefulness of the Wellington children's health camp organisation. Dr. Helen Bakowell, School Medical Officer, reports as. follows: —

''The health camp at Otaldhas been opc en throughout the year, except for a period of six weeks when the building was closed, partly for cleaning purposes, and: partly on account of an outbreak ot" Hiumx>s and measles. An avorage of sixty, to seventy has been maintained, tho number being increased to ninety during the Christmas holidays. Cases have been admitted from Otaki, Shannon, Paraparaumu, Nircaha (Ekctnhuhiv), Waipukurau, Bannevirke Soutu, Dannevirke North, Hastings Convent, Putara (Eketahuna), Wanga nvii; Gonville (Wanganui), Marton Convent, Waitara; Lower Mangorei (Taranaki), Kaponka (South Taranaki), Motu (Gisborne), Matawai, Taradalo, Opihi (Hawke's Bay/), and also Wellington and suburbs. Some cases are being recommended by general practitioners and hospital doctors. This is more satisfactory, and helps to prevent peoplo taking unfair .advantage of the institution. Tho Wellington Returned Soldiers' Association, Taranaki Education Board, and Dannovirko \ Rotary Club also nominate and pay' for eases knowu to their organisations.

"The weight chart is still talcon as a gaugo of general improvement in height, and is probably as good a guide as any, though this docs not record improvement in behaviour and mental alertness. The improvement is often dramatic, espocially in cases of wrong feeding and undor-feeding with no organic complications. Such a child can put on seveu or more pounds in a fortnight. When the malnutrition is severe and chronic so as to cause definite iilhealth, improvement is considerably delayed.

"The same daily routine has been adihered to. Begulated sun-bathing has been instituted. The children respond well, and there is less trouble with severe sunburn. The minimum period for admission is still fixed at six weeks and lias been kept to in all cases whoreever possible. More often than not, this period has had to be extended up to three and oven four mouths before improvement takes place. I am sorry that a systematic 'aftcr-caro' investigation is not possiblo to ascertain the permanency of the improvement produced."

The following list showing school districts and the number of children taken to camp from each district indicates also that every part of Greater Wellington, and the Wellington Province in fact, owes a great deal to those who are working unselfishly for" sick children :_Wellington City 224, Johnsonville 6, Petone 16, Ngaio 6, Khandallah 2, Kimbolton 1, Masterton 3, Carterton 2, Otaki 2, Shannon 1, Paraparaumn 1, Waipukurau 1, Dannevirke 19, Hastings 1, Ekctahuna 2, Wanganui 3, Lower Hutt 10, Upper Hutt 4, Waiwhetu 2, Epuni 2, Marton 4, Waitara 2, Lower Mangorei 2, Kaponga 1, Motu 1, Mata-wai-1, Taradalo 2, Opihi 1, New Plymouth o, Inglewood 1, Ohakune 1, Napier 2, miscellaneous 5, Hastings 2. Total, 336.