Dunedin Doctor Observes Post-war Strain in England

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26852, 17 August 1948, Page 2

Dunedin Doctor Observes Post-war Strain in England

NOTES FOR WOMEN

. Special to the Daily Times. AUCKLAND, Aug. 16. Britain gave visitors an impression of general tiredness among the people, said Dr A. H. Fitzgerald, of Dunedin, when she arrived at Auckland from Liverpool in the Shaw, Savill liner Corinthic yesterday afternoon with her young son and daughter. Dr Fitzgerald, who is the wife of Mr Walden Fitzgerald, of Dunedin, spent 12 months in England and during her stay attended a course on child health at the University of Liverpool.

The war-time and post-war strain of living had had a marked effect on the adult population, said Dr Fitzgerald. The number of comparatively young people who were grey-haired was very noticeable. Pale faces, too, were very much in evidence. Discussing the health of children under rationing, Dr Fitzgerald said they had benefited. The professor of child health at the university had expressed that opinion to her. The poorer children were getting a fair share of the good food available with the even distribution provided by rationing, and the provision of meals at schools had also brought about a marked inprovement in health. One rarely saw a case of nutritional anaemia nowadays.

“Although rationing may be a splendid thing for many children, I hope no one gets the impression that food parcels are unnecessary,” said Dr Fitzgerald. “On the contrary, they are a tremendous help to the housewife, who is having an extremely difficult time. In fact, the women who receive parcels say they do not know how others not so fortunate can manage. Dripping and honey are two items of the utmost value.”