HEALTH AND WELFARE

Evening Star, Issue 23355, 26 August 1939, Page 9

HEALTH AND WELFARE

PART OF HOME SCIENCE SCHOOL COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING OF STUDENTS LACK OF ACCOMMODATION A HINDRANCE florae science in the University of Otago has been likened to a tree, Colonel John Studholme brought the seed into the Dominion, and with the aid of a citizens’ committee and the University Council planted it in Dunedin. The young plant was given the care necessary for its development by Professor Boys-Sraith, the first dean, and Miss Rawson (Mrs Benson), the second dean. Professor Strong, the third dean, arrived in the blossoming time 19 years ago ; and some of the fruits are now being gathered. The tree has needed some pruning and some ideas grafted oh, hut to-day it is showing sturdy growth and indeed is needing more room for its larger development. Home science stands for ‘ prevention as. well as for cure ” of the ills from which people suffer. Thousands of cases of stunted vitality, of ruined digestions, of structural malformations, of dental caries and goitre could be annually prevented by the systematic and universal teaching of the general laws of health and the proper feeding, clothing, and handling of children —all of which are among the subjects included in the terra home science. Furthermore, through its teaching the many branches of household management may be carried out with less waste and with greater return for the time and money involved, invariably increasing the purchasing _ power of money, and so raising the incomes of all classes without detriment to any. All are agreed that the condition of the average home in a country is a true index of the condition of that country. Surely, therefore, the knowledge that will enable a woman successfully to manage her own home is second to none in importance. The ideal of home science is . that every home should he economically sound, mechanically convenient, morally wholesome, artistically satisfying, and spiritually inspiring, and from the day the young student enters the school she is impressed with the importance of these aims until before long they become almost part and parcel of her everyday life. FIRST DEGREE FOR WOMEN. Otago was the first university in the British Empire to grant a degree to women, so that it seems fitting that the grant from Colonel Studholme of £3OO a year for five years and another £2OO a year for five years from Dunedin citizens should have made possible the establishment of the Home Science School of Otago University in 1911. It seems strange that while the school enjoys* such a reputation abroad —its have obtained important appointments in Australia, Canada, thh United States, and even England —its aims and ideals should be so little known to the man in the street. If that individual were asked for his conception of the Home Science School he would probably reply somewhat vaguely that the students are taught “ something about cooking and housework,” or,ln other words, those things which might be expected to make good wives .'.better;; ' , ‘ 1 ; . . • . hoif many are there who know that'the students of the Home Science School'are given the same scientific foundation to their training as medical students? They sit the same intermediate examination, which means that the subjects to be taken must include physics, chemistry, biology, and physiology. The Home Science School has been firmly established upon the sciences, but lack of finance and facilities has made it. possible so far to cater hut slightly for the aesthetic aspects of the home. Professor Strong, who by precept and example has done much to make home science, a more vital thing in the lives of New Zealand women, has always stressed the need for the artistic faculties receiving fuller attention. This means equipment and trained assistance if the beauty of homes is to be improved, and a visit to the school leaves one marvelling at the great work that is being accomplished under the handicap of lack of space and the facilities that should be associated with such an important branch of University education. One is left appreciating the enthusiasm of the staff from the head down, and it is but little wonder that this enthusiasm is soon strongly developed in the students of the school. Most of those entering the .school have carried ■ their studies a year beyond matriculation; and those living outside of Dunedin take up residence in one of the three hostels attached to the school—Lower Studholme, Upper Studholme, and this year the Government has loaned the old St. Helens Hospital. NEED FOR FURTHER FACILITIES. The home science building where such classes are conducted, is outgrown, and an annexe is needed to provide laboratories for the art department and foods department. There is no provision at present for research in this branch of the work. From the youngest student to the oldest graduate, the enthusiasm for the proper development of home science is remarkable. Plans have been conceived for th<3 construction of a new hostel on the site of the present Upper Studholme House—an acre of land is available for the purpose—and this would do away with the need for Lower Stuholmo House and St. Helens, besides increasing the facilities for the carrying out of instruction. A desire to help themselves is shown by all concerned, and such spirit is worthy of encouragement. When the Exhibition was held in Dunedin, Lower Studholme was run as a hostel, some £1,500 being cleared as a result. This was subsidised by the Government, and thus the purchase of the Upper Studholme property was made possible, oldest graduate, the enthusiasm for With the object of constructing a new holding, funds are now being raised, and £2,500 is in hand already. The Alumnte Association and students alike are co-operating in bringing to fruition such ambitious proposals, for which £IO,OOO more is required THE STUDENT’S TRAINING. Every branch of home economics is included in the student’s training. In her first year a girl is expected to be an assistant in the hostel. She has to perform the usual tasks, such as setting the table, helping with the teas, washing dishes, taking care of her own room, carrying out a schedule of duties, and as her experience grows she assumes added responsibilities, until, in her final year, she is in a position to take full charge of the housekeeping. The making of menus, keeping of accounts, and cooking are part of the

regular routine of the student. Studies have to be carried on at the same time. Every type of equipment has to be handled, and three years of study in chemistry is undertaken before nutrition work is studied in the final year—the B.H.Sc. degree is a fouryears’ course; M.H.Sc. six years—and in this final year one of the raos£ interesting phases of the whole course is undertaken. This is animal research, which is part of nutrition work. TESTING DIETS. White rats are handled with the same nonchalance as the ordinary housewife uses her duster or broom. The animals are brought from America and England, since a standardised rat is necessary in the comparison of results in the testing of the effect of presence of or lack of vitamins and mineral salts in the diet. And thus with the closest of interest the girls watch the “slimming” process being indulged in by the white rat, which happens to have been placed upon a diet that is not sufficiently nutritive, or, on the other hand, they see the control animal thriving upon a complete diet. This is the first stage to that postgraduate research work which so many girls undertake in Dunedin and abroad. Knowledge is to be had, and the time has passed when people were prepared to follow any old fad in the matter of diet. The Homo Science School has battled for years against lack of interest on the part of the public in the work of learning the principles of nutrition and health, and gradually this is being overcome. PREVENTION OR CURE? It seems a strange thing that sickness, disability, and the like have an appeal to the emotions that the prevention of such does not possess. Even in the elementary schools nutrition and health is now beginning to take its place. One school last year, acting in co-operation with the home science authorities, was given the loan of a number of rats, and half an hour a week was spent by the pupils studying health and the effects of various diets. It is a fact, too, that the children’s records showed absolute improvement from the exercise and instruction they were given. One might think the subjects given above should comprise quite a full-time course for any girl, but these home science students seemingly have a great capacity for work, and other aspects of their training comprise physical education, voice production, hygiene, bacteriological and sanitary science, child care and development, the planning and furnishing of houses, upholstering, papering, and renovating. Indeed ; the efficiency of the trained home science student would put to shame the average man who fancies himself rather useful “ about the house.” Clothing work, design, and special interior decoration are included on the arts and crafts side. At the Home Science School the girls plan their whole wardrobe budget, which includes the designing of their own evening frocks, the making of their own patterns, and so forth. Pat- ■ ternmaking is a specific course, and of interest is the fact that one graduate only recently, in partnership with her husband, lias started out as a dressdesigner in business. CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT. In their study of child care and development, the students take a course at the Karitano Hospital, but with the construction of a new hostel it is hoped to establish a department in the Home Science School where the student may study, the .older child, its development, habit-patterns, and psychology. Such a department is as necessary to the teacher as to the homemaker. A graduate of Otago University who has specialised in child development and nursery school work is Miss Catherine Landreth, Ph.D., who is a professor in the University of California. Once a nursery school is attached to the Home Science School, it is hoped to co-operate with high schools so that high school girls may be assistants in "these nursery schools and obtain some experience of.the work. A FULL DAY. , A home science student’s day is a full one. The housekeepers rise about 6.30 a.m.; breakfast is at 7.45, and after the housework is completed the girls go to their studies at the Home Science School. There is an hour at noon for lunch, and some of the afternoon classes last until as late as 6 o’clock, tea being at 6.15. Further studies occupy the evening hours, but the girls are free on Friday and Saturday evenings. Home science teachers are in demand to-day. In the depression years, bursaries were reduced, and from 120 students the number at the Home Science School dropped to 80. During the last two years the numbers have increased again, and there are at present 137 girls in the school, over 100 being in residence. Besides the demand for teachers, there is a very definite call for dietetians and institutional managers, and not a few of the girls who have had their training at the Homo Science School find a niche for themselves as managers of restaurants, in hospitals as dietetians, in school hostels, and as demonstrators for gas and electric companies. Graduates who go to England have found no difficulty in obtaining employment, and dietetians are in ready demand in New Zealand and Australia. All in all, home science is destinedto play an ever-increasing part in the future of New Zealand. Could there be a more worthy object for assistance by anoyne concerned • in promoting the health and welfare of the community?