HEALTH OF CHILDREN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15715, 16 September 1914, Page 9

HEALTH OF CHILDREN.

RESULTS OF INSPECTION,

BAD TEETH PREVALENT.

[BY TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,]

Wellington, Tuesday. The details of the medical inspection of primary schools during the year 1913, which arc embodied in the annual report of the Department of Education, show that 335 primary schools were visited by medical officers, and that 12,357 children were examined. Where necessary, the medical inspectors recommend the parent* to obtain medical advice for their children. The report states that, generally, this advice appears to be followed, but there was a ' proportion of cases in which the expense of treatment was an obstacle. This is especially the case in ie<;ard to dental disease, and it is stated that no less than 72 per cent, of the children examined in Standard 11. were suffering from defective teeth. The whole expenditure on medical inspection during the year was £4183. While the injurious effects of incorrect breathing on a child's physical and mental condition ought now to be a matter of common knowledge, about one-third of the children at the routine examination, and a higher percentage of the special cases, were found to be thus handicapped. The inspectors think that in many cases correct breathing exercises and fresh air are the | only remedies necessary. The report adds:—"Too many children were found 'suffering from "physical deformities. Twenty-two per cent, have stooped I shoulders, and 7 per cent, have spinal ! curvature. It is to be hoped that the new system of physical training will do much to improve this condition of things. Mal- , nutrition was observed in 23 per cent, of the children, although not in all cases serious. Here, it is noticed that it is not so much poverty as ignorance or carelessness on the part of the parents that is responsible for the poor condition of these children. Excessive manual labour outside of school hours, overcrowding in the homes, unsuitable and badly-cooked food, and late hours are all possible causes to which this lack of robustness is attrii buted."