CHILDREN'S HEALTH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12055, 10 July 1917, Page 2

CHILDREN'S HEALTH.

ADDRESS BY DR ELEANOR BAKER. TO SUMNER PARENTS. Dr Eleanor Baker, medical inspector to the Canterbury Board of Education, gave an address to parents at the ; Sumner Borough School yesterday j afternoon. In spite of Avet weather j there was a good attendance. Dr Baker stated that in the past time had been 'spent in educating tho j child to earn ajjving, but it hatl not j been used in educating him how to live, which Avas of more importance. The reI suits of medical-examination of recruits ' had revealed appalling defecto more or • less the result of ignorance. The esj seiitials for children were air. water, food and sleep.--- Clothing had been "' j proved to be of much less value than, i Avas generally supposed Like food, too much was. more often used than Avas required for good health. The speaker emphasised the good effects of the. morning bath or cold rub down for children. It resulted in a healthier skin and a sounder nervous system. Children needed a good breakfast of plain food, but it must not he unduly hurried. She condemned hurried mid-day meals, cake and pas-try hinohe«. and eating betAveen meals, and emphasised the importance of for tight clothing in growing'children. . Tea and strong coffee Avere not good for ; children, and it was a mistake to consider milk as a drink. It Avas far too rich. If possible, children should sleep in the op«n air. It av.is not at all difficult to make the bed jnto a sleeping ' bag and protect them from cold. Scarcely anything was worse for a child I than bad teeth. Hard food, containing | vitamines should be used from infancy. This ensured strong, sound teeth. Children's eyes Avere often faulty and Avhen parent?, Avere advised of this they ! should watch them carefully, as fro- ' ouently they got worse. j Dr Baker Avas listened to .with great- i attention, nnd on the motion of Airs ' AV. G. Roberts. Avas accorded a hearty J vote of thanks. '