The Evening Star SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1910.

Evening Star, Issue 14308, 5 March 1910, Page 6

The Evening Star SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1910.

It is to lit? regretted that such krturcs as that given by Dr Truby King on Thursday eventing caimot be attended by every parent in thin Dominion. The result v.ouhl muio'ihtcdly bo that the people of New Zealand would take an intelligent interest in everything pertaining to the health of their children and themselves, and that, in two or three generations, we should have a race of people in this part of the British Empire physically and mentally tit to hold their own with any other people in the world. Since, however, the idea! is unattainable, and we cannot give to ail parents the privilege of hearing and seeing what Dr-King lias to say and show, I the next best thing is to call into requisition the printing press, and, in a condensed form, scatter broadcast, the sal hut facta that the lecturer desires to drive borne. Assuming (as, unfortunately, lie has a right to do) that the majority of parents are ignorant of the elementary laws of health and sanitation, the lecturer, by a simple experiment mid by the use of excellent lantern slides, showed that lire ocean of air at the liottorn of which human beings live is as much matter as is the I ocean of water inhabited by fishes, and is

Air, Colds, Teeth, and Adenoids.

subject to similar movements. Having thus introduced his subject, Dr King proceeded in a thoroughly scientific, yet withal in his*usual simple, practical, and emphatic manner to show how fallacious were the prevailing notions about draughts, catching cold, aitd the airing and ventilating of our houses. The proofs given by Hie lecturer in support of tho arguments advanced in connection with this part of the address were so practical, and at tho same time so convincing, that his hearers, we feel sere, must have made, up 'heir minds to take full advantage, in tho future, of the gift of “Gbd’s glorious oxygen,” and to preach and practise tho gospel of fresh air and sunlight as the host of all medicines both for young and for old. In this connection, it would, wo think, bo money well and wisely spent if the Education Department appointed one or two sanitary inspectors, whose duty it would he to visit schools throughout tho Dominion giving simple lectures to teachers and pupils on the proper method of ventilating tho schoolrooms, and also the homes of the people. And country districts aro more in need of such instructors than arc towns, for in many settlers’ houses the neglect of the simplest precautions to preserve health is astounding. In South Australia such inspectors are appointed, and teachers are expected fo afford them every facility for inspecting all buildings belonging to the schools. Coming to the question of teeth arid adenoids, the doctor made some startling statements, but for all of them he had ample proof. The teeth of young New Zealanders, ho raid, were in a shocking condition, and this state of tilings led to many diseases from which young people suffered. Tins premature decay of tho teeth and malformation of gums and jaws are due, says Dr King, to improper feeding during infancy, arid, in this statement, as well as in all others regarding tho .state of the teeth of our young people, ho is supported by Dr Rickeroll, the professor of dentisth’ at- our own University. This is a very serious matter, and calls for immediate attention by tho Public Health Department. But had us is the condition of our children's we have a worse evil to conduit in the increasing prevalence of “adenoids.” Home years ago, in these columns, we called attention to an article on tin’s subject which appeared in the 'Lancet,’ and we referred to the groat number of cases Hint were to he found among Hie pupils attending our public schools. Since that time, however, the disease has rapidly increased, and now. wc are told that " half the children on Hie Flat, are afflicted with adenoids." Truly this is an appalling state of affairs, and if improper feeding and the nso of “dummies” are the causes of Haiti nasal affection, tho sooner our gills receive somo instruction in the proper management of infants, and Hit; use of tho "dummy” i- prohibited, the better it will he for the whole community. In our opinion, the girls in our schools, after they havo reached the Fifth Standard, and until they havo completed their secondary education, should devote at least one-fourth of their school time in learning something of domestic science—cooking, housekeeping, elementary hygiene, and the management- of infants. Aliich of Hie arithmetic and geography girls now have to learn at school might very well give place to the subjects wo have mentioned. We know of teachers who have given coudde.rable attention to this matter of “adenoids,” and who can quickly and easily delect the presence of the disease. In many casco these teachers have sent a note to the parents of children an fieri ng from the complaint-, and the unfortunate hove and girls have been operated upon, and thus saved from much misery. Why could not a- card containing " Symptoms of Adenoids” ho prepared by Hie Health Department and scut to every teacher in the Dominion, with instructions to report to parents even; supposed race? We are well aware Hint teachers have quite enough to do without adding to their duties; but, wc do not know Hie men and women in the education service, of New Zealand if they would not. for the sake of humanity, undertake this additional work until such lime as the preqier medical inspection of school children is arranged for. We could say a great deal about the mental ,-uid physical deterioration and suffering endured by children suffering from “adenoids”; but- enough has been said to show that tho increasing prevalence of the disease is a menace to our national welfare, and that prompt and effective steps should bo taken to cope with the evil. Once more Dr King Inis earned the gratitude of his follow-citizens by bringing before tho public matters vitally important to :ho physical welfare of tho young people of Hn.s country, and wo trust Unit as a result of his lecture there will be a very largo increase) in tho membership of Hie cccioty whoso cause ho so ably advocates, and a wider general interest m Hie whole subject of public health.