HEALTH OF CHILDREN

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9618, 26 March 1917, Page 7

HEALTH OF CHILDREN

SPECIAL DRILL CLASSES. • USEFUL SUGGESTIONS TO PARENTS. As showing the great attention tha* is now being, paid to uic health of the rising generation iu New Zealand, it may be noted that special drill classes for the correction of defects such as faulty posture, round shoulders, etc., are at present being formed in our State schools. ■ These defects are not incompatible with fair health, hut they indicate a certain loss of physical tone, and if allowed to persist or increase predispose to more serious trouble. The Hon. J. A. Hanan (Minister for Education) takes a keen interest in all that concerns the health of the children, and he regards these 'special classes as likely to be of the greatest benefit to the children selected for them. CARE 1 OF THE' TEETH.

At the Minister’s suggestion the medical inspectors of schools anf also issuing a scries of circulars containing very useful suggestions to parents in regard to the health or tho little ones. The circulars dcah-with such matters o.s sleep, baths, food, contagious sliindiseascs in school-children, care of the teeth, caro of the hair, , suitable .•lothing, etc. It is pointed out that ‘a clean mouth is more'important than a clean face,” that, decayed teeth cause'~iU-liealth7 in teeth can be prevented, and that decayed teeth should he promptly treated. The importance of cleaning teeth at least once a day to prevent decay is strongly emphasised. • “Disease germs,” it is stated, “multiply rapidly in a decayed tooth,’’ so that literally ‘-where teeth are bad a child swallows poison with every mouthful of food.”