MEDICAL INSPECTION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 26 June 1926, Page 3

MEDICAL INSPECTION

CHILDREN' UNDER SCHOOL AGE DR. GUNN DEALS WITH THE "NEGLECTED" PERIOD A decision that will, no doubt, bo fully appreciated by parents in Wanganui! has been arrived at. by the. Wanganui Education Board, after consultation with its medical inspector (Dr Elizabeth Gunn),' whereby medical inspection will bo given children under school age, says tho Chronicle. Tho inspection is calculated to better equip youngsters for routine school life, and will be commenced in the immediate future. In discussing the scheme with Dr. Gunn. a Chronicle reporter was informed that when many children reached school age they were suffering from defects which interfered with their general health and physique, and were, therefore, not in a position to benefit from the school course. Money spent in the

I thought I would escape. I walked alone in tho woods, and—alas—I have broken my pearl necklace and my diamond ring has slipped off my finger and vanished in the grass. Tho Prince whom I am about to marry will bo grieved." "You are lucky to have .a diamond ring," said the ragged girl. "Tho shepherd whom I shall marry cannot givo me one. I wish I were you."' "I wish I were you," cried tho Princess. "No heavy train to carry over your arm on a hot uay. Wo aro very much alike—let us change clothes !" No sooner said than done. The ragged gill went haughtily to tho castle, and tho Princess sat in the ditch. ' "Hi, my daughter," cried a. voice, "Cook the dinner !" "What fun" thoughtt he r\rince!ss running towards a hut where a tinker was mending a pot. But when sho found that she would have to'catch a rabbit before she could cook it sho did not think it quite so funny. She did not like the look of the tinker, either, and crept away to the woods. But she could not catch a rabbit, and tho harsh viico of tho tinker filled her with terror. Presently tho ragged girl camo panting up to her. "Take *your line clothes and jewels !" she cried. "Oh, that awful castlo and that terrible king!" "Oh, for my father, my dear Princo, and my castle." wept tho Princess. "Other" people's things are only nice when you haven't got fhem !"

education of Ihcso cliildron was largely wasted, as they worn dull and heavy, instead uf being alert and bright. COMMENCING (SCHOOL A child commoncing school started nut lo face the world alone, ' having been closely guarded through tivo or .six years of his life. A big change, arrived lor him and everyone prodded him oil to e.xorL himself mentally and physically. Many an adult, comfortably settled in the. daily round's of his business had less strain upon him in proportion to his strength and experience. Wo children, observed Dr. Gunu, required more than ordinary vitality, and should :be allowed to ccromoncc the "great, adventure," in as nearly perfect a condition as it was humanly possible to niako them. She considered the only way to accomplish, this cud was to provide for medical inspection for children between the ages of two and live years. Thus defects would be corrected before they had time to do> permanent harm. CONSTANT ATTENTION NECESSARY Most children were born healthy, and throughout their babyhood in New Zealand were scientifically treated by the. I'lnnket system. They had every chance of correct growth and development. Further, children of school age were reasonably well protected, coming as they did under the observation of teachers, school nurses and medical inspectors. TUH many were suffering from remediable diseases. They had passed through what medical circles regarded as the "neglected age"—the years between two and five—although many parents failed to realise that this age lequired the same careful attention as the earlier months of infancy. It was during these years that the worst one- ■ mies of childhood, malnutrition, infectious diseases, etc., were lo be guarded against. Children required constant attention, and it was considered that the free medical inspection classes being arranged would promote that ideal. It was proposed to make the inspections, and report to parents on the physical condition of the children. It is hoped that the facilities being arranged by the Education Board in the Central Infants' School will be freely utilised.