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24
Question:—How is my child standing up to the present food shortage?
Answer:—I am very much afraid I must incur the possible animosity of many
mothers and fathers when I ask " Is there a food shortage "?
Certainly the physical condition of the boys and girls of Barking does not
lead me to believe there is such a shortage.
It may take, and I am sure it does take, much more time now to do shopping
than it did years ago. I am equally quite sure that mothers cannot always get just
the food they want at the time they want it, but this does not mean to say there is
a shortage from the standpoint of a Medical Officer.
Now I think you will understand what I mean if I ask you to bear with me when
I put before you a few facts and figures. During the year 1947 there were no less
than 8,970 medical examinations to enquire into the nutrition of the children, and
only in 25 cases was it found that the nutrition was sub-normal.
It is this simple information which makes me say I am very doubtful whether
we can speak of a food shortage as such.