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58
experienced last year may be partly responsible for this, but parents
should realise that children need a large amount of rest and sleep,
and that both should be obtained in bed in quiet surroundings.
There is, moreover, too much coddling and too much talk of illhealth
amongst a certain section of our community. During the
year one child came to the clinic and informed the doctor that she
had lung trouble, and another boy that he thought he had heart
disease. On other occasions mothers have complained that their
children were suffering
1. from enteritis, bronchitis, and tonsillitis.
2. from a lump in the chest which might become consumptive.
3. from nerves and catarrh.
4. from blood pressure and tonsillitis.
In all these six cases the children were free from disease. We
consider that these complaints illustrate a state of mind amongst
certain members of the community which is directed towards
disease rather than health. There should be less discussion about
sickness and disease and more concerning good health and robustness
; in other words our attitude should be directed towards the
obtaining of good health as much as it should be towards the
prevention of sickness.
I wish to take this opportunity of expressing to the Committee
my thanks for the courtesy that has been extended to me during the
year, to my colleagues for their constant co-operation, and the
staff for their loyal help at all times.
I am Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
DENNIS H. GEFFEN