THE BUSINESS GIRL AND HEALTH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18547, 6 May 1922, Page 6

THE BUSINESS GIRL AND HEALTH

In these days of summer schools and health campaigns the community in general is becoming more alive to the necessity of facing the drawbacks of our modern life in relation to health and of finding tne remedy. Not the least interested in this matter of health are Dunedin’s business girls, as has been shown by their enthusiastic support of a course of three health talks . concluded last Thursday evening. These were arranged by a representative group of business girls in conjunction with the Y.W'.C.A. and the Horae Science Department of the University. i tiis course was introduced by Dr Truby King’s lecture (o business girls, during his campaign, and has been held at the homfe science building. This gave excellent opportunity to girls to see what is being done there towards raising the standard of efficiency and health in our homes and the community.

The first subject of discussion, “Work and Health,” was dealt with by Dr Alarion Whyte. She emphasised the lact that many of the disabilities of business life would bo overcome if girls spent more of their leisure time out of doors in natural surroundings, so allowing for real recreation of physical and mental powers. Dr Whyte explained the necessity for regular physical exercise, varying according to the constitution anil occupation of different, girls, and suggested the advisability of forming a class that would provide such exercise as a practical outcome of the lectures.

The second lecture of the series, given by Professor Strong, treated with the" subject, of “Clothes and Heqlth.” A most picturesque display of the national dresses of various countries, arranged by Mrs Strong, gave her the occasion to point out the reasons underlying the choice of the characters of dress of these countries. In reference to the British mode of dress, Mrs Strong showed wherein many of our fashions are harmful, and her talk was all the more practical since she had on view full sets of clothing chosen with a view to ensuring comfort and health. A girlC clothing budget was also discussed and a model budget chosen.

Professor Rawson Hosed the course with a lecture on “Food and Health,” in which she made clear 'the amount and kind of food necessary for abundant health, and explained the relative values of- our most common food materials, so that using this knowledge people should be able to plan a satisfactory diet. Sample breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, adequate and inadequate, were displayed, also a model packed lunch that would fulfil the requirements of health. Since those who convened, artd have attended. these lectures are anxious to follow them up as practically as possible a physical culture class has been arranged to begin work next week at the Y.W.C.A. rooms. Corrective and remedial exercises will be given to lit the needs of' the individual, xiiis class will be open to business girls and women whether they have attended the course of lectures or not, and inquiries concerning them will be welcomed at the association office in Moray place.