HEALTH CAMPS.

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18168, 5 November 1930, Page 10

HEALTH CAMPS.

BENEFIT TO CHILDREN. A DOCTOR’S COMMENT. 1 That good nurture is the secret of health Is a truth upon which is based much of our modern effort for physical improvement,” stated Dr. Ada Paterson (Director of School Hygiene, Department of Health) on Saturday, commenting on the 'Christmas Seal movement, and establishment of health camps. “ It is not by the application of any magic drug or by the use of a talisman that bodily vigour is obtained'and kept, but by the common sense utilisation of natural resources., The object of all health education is to teach this. It is in this twentieth century that Nature has come into her own. The wonderful results obtained by Rollier at Leysin in Switzerland with the open air and sunlight treatment of delicate children were an example to the world, and it is evident that, not only to prevent disease and debility, but to secure vigorous young citizens, all children should be brought ljip on similar lines.

“ In England, dne of the high priests of the open air and sunlight movement is Sir Henry Gauvian,'who presides over the institution at Alton in Hampshire. Here many anaemic, debilitated children potentially doomed to be the victims of ricketts or tuberculosis are converted into healthy and happy citizens. Rest in the open air, graduated exposure to sunlight, and proper feeding are the most powerful measures employed in securing this transformation. The mental benefit equals the physical so that cheerfulness is the' keynote of the atmosphere. Striking Evidence. “ in other Continental countries, also Prance, Austria, and Germany, there is a widespread effort to utilise fully the gifts of Nature, not only in the cure of disease, but also in its prevention. This ideal has wonderfully influenced not only medicine but education, and is expressed by greater emphasis . on health teaching in the schools and also by the establishment of various munhlcient agencies such as open-air school nutrition classes, school journeys, health camps, residential holiday homes, and sanatoria. A simple routine permitting of plentiful sunlight and fresh air, suitable food exercise, work, and adequate rest works like a charm in converting under-nourished, listless, irritable children into robust, happy, and alert individuals. In New Zealand the school medical statistics show that some 7 per cent, of our children suffer from defective nutrition—a term not synonymous with under-feeding. “In view of the modern opinion That tubercular infection is almost universay before adolescence it appears certain that a considerable percentage of

these have latent tuberculosis. To deal with this group by far the most efficient is the establishment of permanent health camps and holiday homes. The series of health camps established at Turakina under Dr. Elizabeth Gunn, largely owing to the generosity of the late Mr B. Lethbridge, have afforded striking evidence as to what can be done by this means. Following on the Turakina camps similar efforts in other parts of New Zealand have demonstrated as conclusively the value of enlisting Nature to secure health.

“ Impressed with the success of health camps for malnourished children, many local governing organisations in England and the Department of Health in a number of States in America have now provided permanent structures to house the children. This ensures much greater economy, not only of time and effort, but also of ultimate expenditure. A similar policy adopted in New Zealand would undoubtedly result in restoring to health many children who would otherwise ultimately become the victims of disease.—Wellington Post.