PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Otago Witness, Issue 3276, 27 December 1916, Page 7

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

RESULTS OF PHYSICAL INSTRUCTION. Dr Margaret M'Cahon (medical inspector of schools), Miss Livingston (inspecting instructor physical education), and Mr A._P. Roydhousc (inspecting instructor of physical education) havo now concluded their examination of the children who have been instructed in the corrective classes in the Otago schools during the year. _ As a result of her inspection of the schools, Dr M'Cahon speaks in hisrh terms of the work that has been carried out in the interests of the children. "I havo examined the children who have been in the corrective classes for a year," said Dr M'Cahon to our reporter. " The classes were formed with the object of correcting: physical deformities, bad posture, and so on. and the effect of the training is very good indeed, especially when we consider that the classes have been in existence for only one year. A number of the head masters say that not only have the children improved in physique, but that mentally they have advanced remarkably, both in alertness and mental ability. " In choosing those corrective classes, the cases of adenoids and tonsils are always marked, and parents are advised that the ailment should be attended to before the special drill is commenced. The drill includes excellent breathing exercises, and the adenoids are thus less liable to recur, as the children are taught to breathe through their noses, while mouth-breatbing, which so often either a cause or an effect of adenoids, is obviated. The teeth are also examined, notice is sent to the parents when attention is necessary, and the children are advised of the importance of cleaning their teeth twice or thrice daily. " A number of the children need special attention. Some require to be taught how to stand properly, how to carry themselves, and how to breathe correctly. Many children are moutb-breathers. and the special exercises teach them to breathe with their mouths closed. Some children rcquiro special hospital treatment for physical deformities, though there arc a few whoso curvatures are remedial by the usual corrective drill. In cases where necessary we send the children to hospital, where they receive individual special attention, with massage and electrical treatment. "The system of drill is certainly proving very beneficial. Every child has a quarter of an hour's drill every day in exercises graduated to its requirements. This has the effect of improving the children physically and mentally, as drill calls for an alert mind and active movement of the muscles. In the special corrective classes, the children have two quarter-hours every day. These are special exercises which have been chosen bv the two physical instructors and myself." . . , When asked for her opinion of .the valua nf swimming for health exercises, Dr M'Cahon said it was undoubtedly the sport that had the greatest physical benefit. There was movement of the arms and legs without strained physical exertion, and the lung expansion that was called for was excellent from a health point of view. Dr M'Cahon added these very sensible remarks:—"l find that many children wear far too many clothes, boys as well as girls. A system of simplified clothing would be an advantage to the children, who would not bo swaddled in heavy clothes, and to the parents, who would find it less expensive. One bov. for instance, was wearing two flannel shirts, two jerseys, as well as underpants, and such clothing in the month of November must have been tiring to the bov, hampering to his movements, and the cause of keeping him in a continual state of perspiration." In the summer time, in the case of boys, it would be quite sufficient to wear ai singlet, shirt, and trousers, and in the case of oirls much lighter clothing than many of them wear now. "In conclusion, I should like to say I am a great advocate of carlv hours for the children, and I must say that I find the picture theatre the greatest enemy of 'the early to bed ' habit. ~ Now that I havo mentioned the picture theatre, I also object to it on account of the ill effect continuous razing at the screen must havo on the evesight of the children. Then, again, tho nerve svstcm of a number of the children is unduly excited by some of the pictures screened, and the moral effect of so many of the modern nicturo dramas is bad. In Fact, for the children especially, the picture theatre is not by any means an unmixed blessing." Mr Roydhouso considers that the drill in Otago is eoini? ahead ?"'-*<-fncj-ori I .y in the schools vis'ted this year. ''" visits this voar were confined to schools of four teachers nnd upwards. The children are showing a considerable improvement physically.