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Genebal. Milk-in-schools Scheme. Pasteurized bottled milk is now available to 217,727 pupils attending 1,256 schools ; malted-milk powder to 6,793 pupils attending 130 schools, and milk for cocoa-making purposes to 4,443 pupils attending 29 schools. In other words, over 81 per cent, of the school population have an opportunity of obtaining milk in one form or another through the milk-in-schools scheme. These figures represent a substantial increase on those for the previous year. Reports continue to be received as to the beneficial effects of this free issue of milk. There is evidence of an increase in sales to the public of pasteurized milk, particularly of pasteurized bottled milk. Whilst it is not claimed that the milk-in-schools scheme has been responsible for this, yet it is reasonable to believe that the Department's insistence on the use of pasteurized milk for school-children has been a contributing factor. It will be a distinct gain, when only bottled pasteurized milk is available to the public. Apples-in-schools Scheme. This scheme was inaugurated early in 1.941, and apples are being supplied during the present apple season free of all cost to pupils attending some 2,700 schools. The supply will probably continue for a ten-weeks period and will involve the distribution of some twelve thousand cases of apples per week. All types of schools arc included in this scheme. The cost of the apples is being met by the Department. Health Camps. Health camps were extended so as to meet the needs of children who would be expected to benefit from a stay in this type of institution. The King George V Memorial Fund Board, which is responsible for the capital expenditure, has contracted to build or extend existing camps at the following locations : Auckland, Port Waikato, Wanganui, Gisborne, Otaki, Nelson, Christchurch, Roxburgh, and Invercargill. Negotiations are also in progress to acquire health-camp sites in North Auckland, and the centre of the North Island. Despite the many other appeals, funds from the sale of health stamps and collections and donations this year reached the substantial total of £6,610 4s. sd. This sum, with the subsidy of £2 for £1 to be received from art-union funds, makes a total of £19,830 13s. 3d. available for the maintenance of children. There is a growing appreciation among district executives and the public generally of the benefits which children derive from health-camp life. Health Education. Public-health education has engaged increasing attention. The principal methods followed were — (a) Publication of pamphlets, leaflets, circulars, annual reports, &c. Through the co-operation of the Education Department some eight thousand copies of " Healthy Youth " were supplied to school-teachers throughout the Dominion. There was a steady demand from the public and educational authorities for " Good Nutrition," which was placed in the hands of a wholesale firm for sale to booksellers. The first edition of ten thousand having almost been disposed of, a second is now in course of preparation. The Plunket Society booklet " The Baby's First Month" was revised and ten thousand copies printed. A pamphlet on artificial respiration was produced in cooperation with the Department of Internal Affairs and some thirty thousand copies distributed. (b) The preparation of special articles for newspapers and journals. Information and articles of public-health interest have been supplied to the newspaper press, and monthly articles continue to be contributed to the Journal of Agriculture. The Department has also representation on the publications committees of the New Zealand Nursing Journal and the journal of the New Zealand Branch of the Royal Sanitary Institute. (c) Lectures and addresses, educational classes, and conferences. Divisional officers, Medical Officers of Health, School Medical Officers, Inspectors of Heath, and members of the nursing staff have operated actively in this field. The services of officers have been availed of in Emergency Precautions Scheme. (d) Health exhibits and demonstrations. In addition to the hydatid-disease-prevention exhibits organized by Dr. Bennett, a successful health exhibit and demonstration was held at the A. and P. Association. Winter Show at Rotorua. (e) Projectors have been supplied to district officers, and a number of health films are available. (/) Broadcasting. Radio talks have been delivered, a special feature being those given to children in the educational sessions arranged by the Education Department. It is the intention of the Department to extend this sphere of its work as far as practicable under present conditions. Provision is being made in the Department's estimates for increased expenditure on this service. Further reference to this subject will be found in the report of the Director of the Division of School Hygiene, Dental Hygiene, and the Nutrition Officer. Boards associated with the Department. The Board of Health, Medical Council, Medical Research Council, Nurses and Midwives Registration Board, Opticians Board, Masseurs Registration Board, and the Plumbers Board continued their work during the year. Reference to the work of the Nurses and Midwives Registration Board appears in the report of the Director of the Division of Nursing.

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