The Backward Child Needs Help and Understanding by Dr A. Fielding Parker, Auckland There exists amongst us a group of little people who although they may seem to conform in appearance to the ordinary pattern of their age group are nevertheless different. This difference to the average man and woman in the street may pass unnoticed, but to those who live with them it is something real, though in a sense intangible. Even their parents have not always noticed it at the beginning. The child will be slower to sit up, walk, and talk, but this may cause little concern. Mother may simply pass the remark “he is just slow, that is all.” But from this time onwards the retardate child begins to show more obvious traits. Especially is this marked when a new baby arrives more robust and lively than the last. As it grows it soon runs rings round its older brother or sister and displays much more rapid development. Problems arise early. The new infant easily upsets the older one whose physical responses are so much slower, more awkward, and whose understanding to meet a new situation is so limited. The slower child finds it more than usually difficult to accept mother's explanation about the new arrival. In spite of extra attention from a perplexed mother he may become increasingly sulky and spiteful, or simply indifferent, going his own way and making unnecessary work. Perhaps at this stage mother and father are not seriously concerned, thinking the strained situation will right itself eventually. But as time passes, the gap between him and the other child widens so much that the parents begin to fear that something is wrong with their child, without being sure. The child is now five years old. The parents are very worried, their patience exhausted. Their hope is now centred on the school and the sympathetic interest of the infant mistress. When the child first arrives at school the teacher may not notice anything very unusual about him, though he may seem more shy and aloof than one

Damaged dishes are dangerous! AN ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE N.Z. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH … and so are dirty ones! When we eat in restaurants, hotels, cafeterias and milk-bars, we put our trust in the cleanliness of the proprietor and staff. We trust to the cleanliness of their personal habits, of their hands and fingernails and of the food and utensils they serve us.

How can the public help? By demanding the high standards which are public RIGHTS set out in our food hygiene and eatinghouse laws to guard the nation's health. You can feel confident that any offensive practice you notice is against these regulations. Unsanitary food-serving, food-fingering, chipped or dirty dishes, should be drawn to the attention of the proprietor. See that the food retail and eating shops you patronize give the clean, healthful service to which you are entitled.

Play your part As a clean customer who shuns fingering food he does not take, keeps coughs and sneezes well away from food, and always washes hands before eating.

What's good for food retailers is good for the home So check that your kitchen practices are impeccable. Wash dishes in very hot water; don't use soiled tea towels; wash hands frequently—always after the toilet, nose-blowing, etc., and before handling food. Keep food cool and protected from flies, vermin and dust.

DON'T LET GERMS REACH THE FAMILY FOOD HEALTH “Health”, quarterly journal published by the Department of Health is free to those interested in healthy living. If you belong to a club or organisation ask your secretary about it: if not, send your name and address (in block letters) to ‘The Editor, “Health”, Box 5013, Wellington.