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Infectious Diseases. Throughout New Zealand last year there was ail epidemic of measles, and in most places it would appear that there were two epidemics at the same time—true measles and German measles. This led to considerable confusion, parents and teachers considering children were having two attacks of measles when almost certainly they were having one followed by the other. Dr. Champtaloup reports that prophylactic treatment was offered in the more congested residential area of Wellington. Forty-two young child contacts (ten months to five and a half years) were given prophylactic injections of adult, human serum for the purpose of producing an attenuated attack of measles. Treatment was given if possible before the sixth day after exposure to infection (two days after rash of first case), but was given up to the tenth day. The subsequent sickness of these children was compared with that of immunized controls from the same families, observations extending over a period of three months. Recovery was more prompt in the immunized and there were no serious complications, while five children of the unimmunized were seriously ill with pneumonia with one death. Dr. Gilberd states that " the measles which became epidemic was of a very toxic type ; altogether there were 77 deaths of Maori and pakeha children up to the age of fifteen years in the North Auckland district. Many complications followed the measles, and a large number of children became so debilitated that it has taken months to regain their health." In addition to the measles, there have been mild epidemics of various non-notifiable diseases such as chicken-pox, whooping-cough, colds, &c. Physical Education. In February Physical Fitness Week was held throughout the Dominion, and an endeavour was made to get all children to take part in the many activities planned. Facilities were provided for all branches of sport and games as well as physical exercises, and every encouragement given to the children to participate in that activity best suited to their individual needs. That the week was a success is to be seen from the report of Dr. McLaglan, who states that Physical Fitness Week did for the average child what the health camp does for the child below par ; she adds, " But there is still something wanting —some snap or verve." Dr. Irwin states : — " The posture of children shows a satisfactory condition, and I am sure is improving from year to year. The institution of February as a month for outdoor activities seems particularly valuable, especially in the southern areas where the sunshine comes seldom. There are few observable cases of scoliosis and lordosis, and round shoulders seem less than formerly. Swimming, I feel sure, is an important help ; also I think the mass drill is more stimulating and interesting to the children." Dr. Anderson reports " No provision is made in any school in my district for drill when the weather is wet, windy, or too hot. In some playgrounds large areas of concrete are laid down so that there will be space available in the winter for drill and assembly, but in the summer-time it is difficult for them to use it on account of the glare. Drill, therefore, in the ordinary sense of the word is not consistently taken. The posture of the children is, on the whole, decidedly bad. It would appear to me that if nothing were done in the way of exercises for a whole year except to teach children to stand straight and walk and breathe properly much valuable work would have been done." Dr. Mulholland: — " Whether posture is good, bad, or indifferent depends, I think, upon the interest displayed by both parent and teacher. Some parents do make an effort to correct the faulty posture of their children, but the majority are indifferent. In all cases where I have found generally good posture, and unfortunately these are few, an enthusiastic and interested teacher has been responsible. Two outstanding examples of this have been brought before my notice this year. At one school a full-time physical-culture instructress is responsible. Where gross postural defects occur individual and special classes are necessary to remedy defects, and this practice has been successfully adopted. The earlier the habit of good posture is acquired, the better for the child." Dr. Mary Wilson worked in active co-operation with the Headmaster of the Remuera School, where the children were placed on a special physical-education programme and an experiment carried out to show the effect upon groups of children of — (1) Quarter hour formal drill daily. (2) Quarter hour organized games daily. (3) Quarter hour having no activity whatsoever. The children were grouped by Dr. Wilson according to (a) physical defects and (6) nutrition. There were twelve children in each group, four of whom were classed as good physical specimens, four suffering from some physical defect, and four with subnormal nutrition. The children were regularly examined and visited during the year. At the end of the period the drill group was easily picked out by Dr. Wilson for their excellence of posture and general deportment; they showed an alertness and brightness which was splendid to see and they responded in a smart manner to a word of command ; there was a sense of rhythm and co-operation not found in the other groups. The second group played games during the period set aside for physical instruction ; this included practice in ball sense training, running, passing, throwing, catching, &c., and a period devoted to a game. Although the children

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