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98
Malnutrition.
The classification of malnutrition is not an easy one,
and it is still more difficult to discover the cause. It is
usual in these cases to find together with malnutrition, defects
such as enlarged glands, septic teeth, tonsils and
adenoids, rheumatism or defective dietary. When these
have been duly corrected, the child usually makes progress.
For other cases convalescent home treatment is provided
by the Care Committee, or a course of Artificial Sunlight
Treatment, carried out through the School Clinic.
Milk or extra nourishment in school, or at home, is provided
free if necessary, or environmental improvement
carried out in the home by the action of the sanitary inspector.
It is in this class of case that much remains to be
done. One child in 25 examined shows nutrition below
the average, sometimes temporary in character following
upon infectious disease or prolonged illness, sometimes an
inherited diathesis, sometimes as a sequela from preventable
illnesses in babyhood, sometimes tubercular, and not infrequently
as a result of dietetic errors. To treat malnutrition
one must treat the underlying cause, and this
brings into action all the Special Clinics provided through
the School Medical Service. It is useless to expect improvement
in health merely because we provide tonsil and
adenoids clinics, sunlight clinics, and convalescent
home treatment, if we neglect the physiological principles
of a correct living.
The after care of children who have suffered from common
epidemic diseases such as Measles and Whooping
Cough, is frequently neglected, and the desire to return
them early to school interferes with the complete recovery.
Especially is this true where the family is large, and the
house as small as the family income. It is in these cases
that convalescent home treatment is so desirable if we are
to prevent chronic debility. Eight hundred and sixty
five children are receiving milk in school each day in the
winter term, but one regrets that a nil return must be
recorded against Raglan Road Boys' School and the Central
School.