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22
area. It would not have been surprising if nutritional standards
had fallen considerably, but the fact that it is otherwise is evidence
of wise planning that those who have suffered least of all from the
limitations of a war-time diet are the children of the country.
It is necessary to repeat that a very important factor in the
maintenance of these high standards has been the provision of
milk and meals in school.
Nutrition Clinic.
It is inevitable, even in the best circumstances, that there will
be found a number of children whose standard of nutrition is subnormal,
and these oases are referred to nutrition clinics for further
examination and observation; and to enable the medical officers
to ensure that where supplemental feeding is necessary, no effort
is spared to secure this. A further, and most important, point
is the prevention of deterioration in the physical welfare of children
whose nutrition standard is normal, but whose home circumstances
militate against the maintenance of healthy standards.
Nutrition clinics have been held regularly throughout the year,
at two Municipal Health Centres. Number of individual cases
seen: 447.
Vitamin Supplements for Children under Five.
The provision of orange-juice and cod-liver oil has continued
for children under 5 attending school. There has been some difficulty
in getting parents to obtain supplies of orange-juice, but
generally overcome. It cannot be said, however, that the position
is entirely satisfactory, and it is one which might well be taken up
on a national scale, and an intensive health propaganda campaign
instituted so that a true "balanced diet" should be taken advantage
of by the parents.
Rest.
The arrangements for special periods of rest for all children
under 5 years of age in infant departments has continued. There
is no question that the disturbance of sleep which occurred during
the year as a result of enemy attacks has been minimised by this
wise provision.