DEFECTIVE CHILDREN

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 May 1914, Page 6

DEFECTIVE CHILDREN

schools overcrowded \nd dirty! DESOLATE PLAYGROUNDS. TIMARU, May 26. Dr. Eleanor Baker, Medical Inspector of Schools, in a report to the South Canterbury Board, states that she had examined 491 children in 17 schools, of whom 151 were soecial cases. The average physical state of the children varied greatly in .different schools. One of the worst was Timaru Main. Many of the schools were overcrowded, especially Timaru Main and the upper portion of Timaru South. Taken all round the schools Svere very dirty according to the domestic standard, and the playgrounds were often bare, desolate, and untidy. : • Number of children examined, 640; no defects, 21; defects other than dental, 273; showing evidences of malnutrition, 78 (14 bad); obstructed breathing 115; enlarged glands 231; showing disease of the skin 7, eye 5, ear 2 ; circulation^ 41; respiration 4 (and 6 doubtful); nerves 1 ; tuberculosis 2 (and 6 doubtful): defee : live teeth 269; visian 40; hearing 21; speech 3; mental 2; and six backward. Deformaties : shoulders 23; curvature 42; flat chest 18; pigeon breast 11; other diseases 13. Special mention is made in the report ■ f. nine girls out of 234 suffering in a more <>r less marked decree and many other children showing a suspicious fulness in the neck. This may be due to the well water that is used for drinking. The Board sends to the committees the paragraphs relating to the individual s.jhools.