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3 children had lost weight slightly and we could not account
for the loss. The parents were very poor, but were doing their
almost for the children and were most anxious to co-operate with
us. We managed to send one of these children to the sea for a
fortnight during the summer and he began to improve from that
time.
One child was frequently absent from school and we had
some difficulty in securing a record of his weight. The last child
was a girl who was receiving meals and milk and was gaining
until the summer holidays. The parents refused to allow the meals
when the schools re-opened.
All the children who have failed to gain, or who have lost
weight, have been re-examined at intervals, and the parents interviewed
at the Clinic or the home visited.
11 of the children were having milk only, as their parents
were able to provide dinner. 9 of these were putting on weight,
one was losing, and the weight of the other was stationary. The
parents of the last 2 cases were told of this, and urged to allow
the children to remain for dinner.
In 2 cases meals only were supplied, as the children could
not be persuaded to drink milk at school. Both gained well
Another child was considered to be necessitous, but the
mother refused the offer of meals and milk when the scheme was
started. This child however was found to have gained in weigh
each month, and the mother was providing meals of higher food
value.
12 children were considered undernourished, but were not
necessitous. The parents were interviewed individually, and the
diet, food habits, and health habits of the child discussed. In mam
cases; diets of higher food value were suggested, defects wen
corrected, and more rest at home, and sometimes also at schooi
was advised.
Our efforts were evidently responded to, for all these children
gained weight steadily and were better in every way.
During the year, 155 children received milk and dinners
3 children received dinners only, and 12 received milk only.
Each malnourished child is weighed monthly and a record
kept. Any loss of weight, or failure to gain is noted, and the child
is brought up for review again.