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45
At Crowland Road, out of 22 children weighed, 3 lost
weight, and 2 remained stationary, whilst the remainder
increased in weight from 1 to 9 pounds.
At Page Green, records were kept of 47 children. All
but 5 showed satisfactory increase in weight.
At Lancasterian School, 94 children were weighed in
November, and at the end of March 79 showed more or
less increase in weight.
Mal-nutrition.—In comparing the statistics of malnutrition
with those of many other districts we consider that
our Tottenham children, on the whole, show a very good
average. Dr. King has told me that she has been struck
with the really few cases of marked mal-nutrition found
amongst the children examined by her. I consider that
improper feeding is a more frequent cause of mal-nutrition
than actual shortage of food, and that our school meals do
much to help to remedy both these factors. Irregular times
for meals, a vitiated atmosphere in the home at night, which
makes any appetite for breakfast impossible, and lack of sleep
are amongst the other conditions conducing to mal-nutrition.
Intestinal parasites we find a very frequent cause of malnutrition
in the infants, and, of course, latent tuberculosis
and general delicacy may account for it even in the most suitable
home conditions. When cases of marked mal-nutrition are
found on medical inspection, inquiry is made into the home
conditions, and, if these are unsatisfactory, the children are
recommended by the Medical Officer for free meals.