T.B. IN THE SCHOOLS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 92, 18 April 1929, Page 6

T.B. IN THE SCHOOLS

MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND TEACHERS A scheme to combat the ravages of tuberculosis by taking steps to examine, in the schools, children who were known to have run the risk of infection in their homes, was before yesterday’s meeting of the AVanganui Education Board. The Department requested the Board's permission to allow the school medical officers to circularise head teachers with a view to arranging a basis of co-operation in order to keep the children referred to under observation. Air J. K. Ilornblow considered that the suggestion only covered the fringe of the thing. There was no use sending medical oflicors into the schools every now and then. They could not cope with it. “Take Dr. Gunn, for instance,” he said. “She attends Foxton about once every year. AVhat chance would she have of keeping track of all the children. She couldn’t do justice to it.” The speaker suggested that Dr. Blackmore’s scheme, and that of the Christchurch Hospital Board, should be considered. The children should be taken right away an treated properly. The proposals before the Board would only scare the parents without cause. Mr J. Aiken pointed out that the scheme was to deal only with children who were known to have come from homes that were infected. Air Ilornblow added that there was a scheme on foot to grapple with the disease all over the Dominion, under a group system. There should be two groups in the North Island. The object was to deal with children who were known to be subject to infection, was how Air J. 8. Tingey viewed the scheme under discussion. That would be a very fine help. Air AV. H. Oram wanted to know where those responsible were going to get their information from. AVhat system would be employed to find out if children had become open to infection in their homes! There -were children who had the disease in an incipient stage, and they were liable to be overlooked if they concentrated on those who had been thrown open to infection only. Mr Adams considered that it was the Board’s duty to back up the school medical oflicer. She knew her job and gave the children thorough examinaThe chairman (Mr AV. A. Collins) agreed with Air Hornblow, but said that it was best for the Board to approve of the Health Department's scheme, even though it did not fully cover the problem. Permission was granted the Department to circularise head teachers.