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Tuberculosis Contacts, Wellington District: Summary from 21st February, 1932, to 20th February, 1933. Number of schools visited— Three monthly .. .. .. .. .. .. 72 Six to twelve monthly .. .. .. .. .. 15 Number of children on register .. .. .. .. .. .. 548 Number of children examined by Dr. Short .. .. .. .. 354 (But number of examinations carried out by him) .. .. .. 369 Number of children — X-rayed .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 28 Receiving inunction .. .. .. .. .. 10 To eye, ear, nose, and throat specialists (Drs. Macdonald and HopeRobertson) .. .. .. .. .. .. 33 To orthopaedic specialist (Dr. Gillies) .. .. .. .. 7 To Dr. Montgomery Spencer or to General Out-patient Department .. 9 To Health Department for weighing or examination by School Medical Officer .. .. .. .. .. .. ..55 To health camp .. .. .. .. .. .. 89 To dental clinics or hospital dental (and others to private dentists) .. 125 Number of home visits paid by school nurse (approximately) .. .. 712 In Otago Dr. Stevenson gives a short summary of the progress noted throughout the year in 399 tuberculosis contacts. Of these, one girl, aged thirteen, developed a tubercular peritonitis and is now in sanatorium. It is considered that the early diagnosis of the disease was made owing to the fact of her being already under supervision, and the possibility of her recovery is accordingly strengthened. Reports have been forwarded by Miss Wright, school nurse, upon 202 tuberculosis contacts kept under observation of the School Medical Officers in Auckland. In the Waikato 84 T.B. contacts are under observation. Dr. Anderson, Napier, reporting on 250 contacts refers to the difficulty of making satisfactory provision for Maori contacts. Dr. Turbott, Gisborne, reports on 80 T.B. contacts in the East Cape district; Dr. Abbott, Southland, reports on 234 contacts; and Dr. Irwin, Nelson, on some 75 in the Nelson-Marlborough district. All School Medical Officers give illustrations of the benefit of this constant supervision of tuberculosis contacts by providing opportunity for early diagnosis and care of incipient cases. From the lower standpoint of financial value even it is evident that work of this preventive nature has more than justified itself. Open-air Schools for Delicate Children. Two schools deserve special mention for their work on behalf of delicate children. One is the Sara Cohen Memorial School, Dunedin, an open-air school situate at Kew, with an attendance last year of 21 pupils. Dr. Stevenson furnishes interesting figures with regard to the physical condition and progress of the scholars. A decided advance has been made this year, arrangements being made for a hot midday meal for the pupils. The Education Department made a grant which made the building of a kitchen possible ; various friends equipped it, and, with the assistance of Professor Strong, of the Home Science School, arrangements have been made for a committee of ladies voluntarily to give their support to the school and maintain the cooking of the meal. In Auckland the Sunshine School continues its good work ; 33 new pupils were admitted last year, the reason for admission being given as follows.: Rheumatism, 4; heart abnormality, 2; rheumatism and cardiac, 2 ; malnutrition 4 ; subnormal nutrition, 3 ; abdominal symptoms, 2 ; respiratory, 2 ; history of fits, 1 ; anaemia, 4 ; nervous debility, 5 ; asthmatic tendency, 2 ; T.B. contact, 1 ; retarded, 1. Here also arrangements are made for a hot midday dinner for the pupils, including meat, fish, soup, vegetables, puddings, and fruit. Miss Wright, school nurse in charge, comments upon the number of children who for a short time after admission evidenced dislike for the ordinary wholesome articles of diet, but states that this difficulty is usually overcome in time. Children attending this school receive regular sunbathing under Miss Wright's supervision. Personal Cleanliness and Clothing. The general standard with regard to personal cleanliness and clothing was satisfactory, though a slight decline, mainly in certain city area, has been evident. Clothing has been largely supplemented by gifts from social-welfare organizations or from private citizens, so that on the whole few children have been inadequately clad. Food and rent make the first demand on a small allowance. Overcrowding, which results from an effort to economize in rent, means lessened facilities for cleanliness, and fosters indifference. The increase of dirt and skin diseases noted in certain districts has not been great enough to influence materially the percentage for the whole Dominion. Considerable difficulty has occurred owing to an outbreak of ringworm, especially ringworm of the head, which is hard to control. Cases are reported where children showing scurfy patches of the scalp have infected their associates with obstinate and severe ringworm. This indicates the necessity for bacterial examination of all suspected cases. Dr. Turbott, in Gisborne, reports as follows : — " The ringworm clinic conducted throughout the week and on Saturday mornings by the district office staff has dealt with thirty-nine cases. Treatment is continued until the scalp seems healthy and at least three negative bacteriological findings are obtained. X-ray treatment is unfortunately unobtainable here, and with lotions or ointment a cure under three months is a happy result in local experience."

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