CHILDREN’S HEALTH.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17527, 10 July 1917, Page 7

CHILDREN’S HEALTH.

ADDRESS BY DR ELEANOR BAKER. TO SUMNER PARENTS. Dr Eleanor Baker, medical inspector to the Canterbury Board of Echication, gave an address to parents at the Sumner Borough School yesterday afternoon. In spite of wet weather there was a good attendance. Dr Baker stated that in the past time had been spent in educating the child to earn a living, hut it had not been used in educating him how to live, which was of more importance. The results of medical examination of recruits had. revealed appalling defects piore or less the result of The essentials for children were air, water, food and sleep. Clothing had been proved to bo of much less value than* was generally supposed Like food, too much was moro often used than was required for good health. ' The speaker emphasised the good effects of the morning bath or cold rub down for children. It resulted in a healthior skin and a sounder nervous system. Cliildren needed a good breakfast of plain food, hut it must not bo unduly hurried. She condemned hurried mid-day meals, cake and pastry lunches and eating between meals, and emphasised the importance of watching for tight clothing in growing children. Tea and strong ooffco were not good for children, and it was a mistake to consider milk as a drink. It was far too rich.

If possible, children should sleep in the open air. It was not at all difficult to make the bed into a sleeping bag and protect them from cold. Scarcely anything was worse for a child than bad teeth. Hard food, containing vitamines should be used from infancy. This ensured strong, sound teeth. Children’s eyes were often faulty and when parents were advised of this they should watch them carefully, as frequently they got worse. Dr Baker was listened to with great attention, and on the motion of Mrs W. G. Roberts, was accorded a hearty vote of thqpks.