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18
is better than no bread, so is a third of a pint better than no
milk—and the improvement noted in some of the children after
partaking of their morning bottle of milk in school is very striking.
But it would be idle to pretend that one-third of a pint of milk is
an adequate daily supply for growing boys or girls. They
require at least one pint of milk daily—twice as much at home as
they get at school.
Other fresh natural foods equally necessary for full growth
and development and resistance to disease are eggs, butter, bread,
meats of various kinds, including liver, and abundance of fruit
and vegetables.
After diet, rest comes next in order of importance for
growing children. An extra hour in bed at night is equal to
15 days' complete rest in the year. The young school child who
goes to bed at 9 to 10 p.m. instead of at 6 p.m. is losing six to
eight week's rest per annum. No wonder that some of these little
ones look tired and old!
After diet and rest, I would glace physical exercises next in
order of value in promoting growth and establishing sound
physique—especially exercises designed to improve shape, posture
and breathing capacity. For the class of children I have in
mind I suggest that a portion of the school time now being devoted
to shaping their minds would be profitably devoted to shaping
their bodies.
I desire to acknowledge with thanks the good work of the
staff of the School Medical Service throughout the year, the
hearty co-operation of the Education Office and the teaching
staffs, the devoted service of the Care Committees, and the
constant interest of the Education Committee in all that promotes
the physical welfare of the elementary school children. I wish
particularly to thank the Education Committee for the favourable
consideration given to the provision of a new School Clinic where
more work of better quality can be carried out at (I hope) less
cost to the community.
I am,
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
R. P. GARROW.