PLUNKET SOCIETY.

Thames Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 17761, 7 December 1929, Page 4

PLUNKET SOCIETY.

MONTHLY MEETING.'

CHILDREN’S TEETH NEGLECTED.

( The monthly meeting of the Flunket Society was held in the Methodist Schoolroom, Mackay Street, on Thursday, sth inst. Mrs. E. N. Miller presided. There were present Mesdames Gemming, Gray, Newman, Masefield, Cordes, Liggims, Adams, Sowerby, and the secretary Mrs. "Mackay, Apologies were received from Mesdames Hetherington, Lambert, Green, J. B. Liggins, and McCarroll.

The resignation of Mrs. Lambert was received owing to her intended departure from Thames at an early date. This was accepted with regret. The; secretary was directed to forward a letter to Mrs. Lambert expressing the committee’s appreciation of her valued help since the formation of the society in Thames. The correspondence included a letter from the medical director of the society urging that committees make a special effort to bring all young children of pre-school age under the supervision of the Plunket nurses. Many parents at present fail to realise the need for continued supervision after babyhood is passed. The society has recently, been aproached by the N.Z. Dental Associatiorij asking its co-operation in endeavouring to bring about an fmprovement in the shocking amount of dental trouble amongst school children which, as they point out, is largely due to general neglect during during the pre-school period. Ihe letter further stated “We are all justly proud of the splendid babies of one year old to be found all over New Zealand. We must endeavour to keep these children in the “splendid” class till they reach school age. We might go so far as' to take the teeth of the . children reaching school age as a barometer. When the school dental service reports a decided improvement in the teeth of children entering school, we can rest assured that corresponding results are being achieved in the physique and general health of the children of New Zealand.

It was decided to leave the arrangements with Nurse Johnstone for either a special afternoon for older children, or taking them during ordinary consulting hours. Mrs. Gray, treasurer, reported having received £ll/12/- proceeds from the Street Stall of 29th November. Although this was considered distinctly disappointing, it was decided that no further appeal for funds could be made until afteß,, the holiday season. Nurse Johnstone reported for November as follows: Thames.—Adults 169, babies 124, older children 44. Total 337.

Out Stations. —Adults 72„ babies. 55, older children 16. Total 143. Visits to Homes.—Thames 60, out stations 73. • Total 133. Oar mileage.—Thames 33, out .stations 381. Total 4’4. Cash received Karilac, Emulsion Karil, etc., £22/0/6; literature.etc.. 12/3; donation hex, £l/11/10; total £94/4/7, „ One babv was sent to K'”'itane Hospital during the month. The general h~dth of babfrs for the month was verv good. At "the conclusion of the meeting the resident, Mrs, Miller, -ished the committee a verv hannv Xmas and New Veer, and thanked "ne and all for their loyal support during the past year.