H— 31.

A comparative summary of defects found in routine examination of pakeha and Maori children is given above. The Native school returns, as compared with European, show in the Maori a much higher incidence of verminous conditions and skin-disease, especially scabies. The incidence of respiratory disease in the Maori is shown as 2-52 per cent, as against 0-87 per cent, in the European school-children. The Maori shows a less incidence of deformities of the trunk and chest and of enlarged tonsils ; also a markedly lower goitre incidence —5-09 per cent. Maoris with goitre against 17-55 per cent. Europeans. The tuberculosis percentage is as follows : — Tuberculosis — European. Maori. Total .. .. .. .. .. .. 0-07 097 Pulmonary .. .. .. .. .. .. 0• 02 0-54 Other tissues .. .. .. . . .. 0• 05 0-43 Dr. Cook, North Auckland, notes an unexpectedly large occurrence of functional heart murmurs, which he considers apparently due to lack of muscular tone, and to indicate a " temporary generalized impairment of functional health." Dr. Turbott, East Cape, compares the health of the Maori pre-school and school child : — " This analysis of Maori children's health in pre-school and school sections is interesting as showing where preventive effort needs reinforcing in the pre-school years. The pre-school Maori child is seen to suffer more from skin-diseases and bronchitis, and these are readily preventable. Other things begin to affect health more in school years as revealed in the comparative tables. The results of the careful examination in the homes of 506 pre-school children (0-5 years inclusive), and of 617 school-children (6-15 years inclusive) are given below : —

Skin-disease. The amount of skin-disease of various types found in the European children is approximately the same as last year.

28

Pre-school. School. Defect. j Number, j Percentage. Number. Percentage. I Malnutrition .. .. .. .. .. 22 4-34 27 4-37 Diseases of the skin — Impetigo .. .. .. .. .. 105 20-75 26 4 - 21 Scabies .. .. .. .. .. 114 22-52 114 18-47 Eczema .. .. .. .. .. 5 0-98 3 0-48 Acne vulgaris .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 0-64 Other skin conditions . . . . .. .. . . .. 4 0-64 Total skin-diseases .. .. .. .. 224 44-26 151 24-47 Bony deformities — Marked defect, trunk and chest .. .. 5 0-98 3 0-48 Limb deformities (talipes) .. .. .. . . .. 7 1 • 13 Dental disease — Dental caries, Primary .. .. .. 79 15-61 72 11-66 Secondary . . .. .. . . .. 66 10-69 Perfect sets, Primary .. .. .. .. 168 33-20 15 2-43 Secondary .. .. .. .. .. 61 9-88 Pyorrhoea .. .. . . . . .. .. .. 12 1-94 Nasopharyngeal disease— Adenoids .. .. .. .. .. 9 1-77 61 9-88 Enlarged tonsils .. .. .. .. 35 6-91 149 24-14 Enlarged cervical glands .. .. .. 117 23-12 201 32-57 Goitre (only incipient found) .. .. .. 6 1-18 82 13-29 Cardiac disease .. .. .. .. .. 2 0-39 20 3-24 1. Non-tuberculous— Bronchitis.. .. .. .. .. 47 9-28 18 2-91 Bronchiectasis .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 0-16 Pulmonary fibrosis .. .. .. .. 1 0-19 1 0-16 Asthma .. .. .. .. .. 1 0-19 2. Tuberculous lung disease .. .. .. 3 0-59 10 1-62 Non-pulmonary tuberculous disease .. .. 1 0-19 5 0-81 Rheumatic fever .. ... .. .. .. .. 7 1-13 Eye and ear troubles— Conjunctivitis .. .. .. .. 2 0-39 3 0-48 Squints .. .. .. .. .. 3 0-59 5 0-81 Otorrhoea .. .. .. .. .. 1 0-19 5 0-81 Epilepsy .. .. .. .. .. 1 0-19 2 0-32 Paresis following infantile paralysis .. .. 1 0-19 2 0-32"