H.—3l

The physical examination of 263 Hutt Valley High School boys was undertaken by local medical practitioners, and remedial exercises are to be given for those pupils showing evidence of faulty posture, flat-foot, &c. It is hoped that arrangements will be made for a similar examination to be carried out next year. The girls of this school were examined by members of the School Medical Service. The following is the summary of the 2,487 secondary-school pupils examined : — Number of children examined .. .. .. •• 2,487 Percentage found to have defects .. .. • • • • 62 •04 Percentage with defects other than dental .. .. .. 35 •10 Percentage of children showing evidence of— Subnormal nutrition .. .. .. • • • • • • 1• 61 Skin — Impetigo .. .. •• •• •• ■■ 0-08 Scabies 0-04 Ringworm .. .. .. . . ■ • • • • • 0• 08 Other skin-diseases .. .. • • • • • • 5-99 Heart — Organic disease .. .. ■ • • • • • • • 0-68 Functional disturbance .. .. .. •• •• 0-28 Total deformities of trunk and chest .. .. . • 10-54 Mouth — Deformity of jaw or palate, including irregularity .. .. 2-89 Dental caries .. .. • • • • • • • • 31 •20 Extractions of permanent teeth .. .. .. .. 31 •44 Fillings .. .. .. •• ..74-18 Perfect sets of teeth .. .. • • • ■ • • 0-84 Nose and throat — Nasal obstruction .. .. .. •• •• 1'65 Enlarged tonsils .. .. .. • • • ■ • • 4-10 Enlarged glands .. . • ■■ . • • • • ■ • 0-44 Goitre — All degrees .. •• 18-53 Incipient .. . ■ •• ■■ •• 9-21 Small .. 8-32 Medium .. .. .. • • ■ • • ■ • • 0' 92 Large . . .. • ■ ■ • • ■ • • • • 0-08 Eye— External eye-disease .. •• •• •• 2-45 Total defective vision .. .. •• ..10-70 Corrected .. •• •• ■■ 7-16 Uncorrected . . . ■ • • • • • • • ■ 3-54 Ear — Otorrhoea .. .. •• •• •• •• 0-04 Defective hearing .. •• •• •• •• 0-28 Defective speech .. .. ■■ •• •• Native Schools. This year some 1,300 more Maori children were examined than last year. As has been shown on previous occasions, the Maori children show a greater percentage of perfect sets of teeth than the pakeha children, and their incidence of goitre is much less ; but, on the other hand, tuberculosis and skin-disease is much, higher among Maori, children. The problem of Maori hygiene is receiving constant attention, and endeavours are being made by teaching in the schools and by more frequent visiting to combat the existing conditions. As sufficient medical staff becomes available for the inspection of all Native children and with the appointment of district nurses with smaller areas to permit of a more intensive campaign, general improvement in skin and chest conditions can be expected. The following extracts from the reports of officers are of interest: — Dr. Gilberd, North Auckland, writes — " Most of the teachers in Native schools are doing excellent work against great and discouraging odds, and they co-operate readily with this Department in Maori welfare and health problems. The Maori children are still a problem with their high incidence of skindisease, which is everywhere apparent with the exception of one or two schools. Obviously the fault rests with the home conditions and the parents, because the school-teachers and district nurses are untiring in their efforts to eradicate this disturbing condition. Improved housing conditions and the teaching of hygiene and sanitation in schools to the children of to-day, who will be the parents of the future, will undoubtedly help to solve this and other problems in time." Dr. Dawson, Taranaki — " General improvement in the condition of the Maoris has been noticed, and we may expect this improvement to continue. The present generation of parents have been trained, in our schools and most of them appreciate the benefit they have received from the improved methods of cleanliness, dieting, and other health services. Whereas the older Maori was inclined to look with suspicion on pakeha innovations, the present Maori parent is anxious to assist us in caring for his children,"

40