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Among the many activities of the modern world to which adults are
now only just becoming accustomed, is the introduction of television into
a great number of homes. The impact of television on the minds and
habits of children has been recently the subject of much controversy.
Many of the older generation paint a very dark picture of the detriment
to mind and body to be anticipated, following viewing by children.
Others see in the new medium a powerful ancillary to education and a
good broadening influence for the fuller development of the child. Most
of us can recollect, in our infancy, being warned against an enormous
number of indoor pursuits, which were calculated to wreck our young
lives. Too much reading, reading in bed, and other childish pursuits
were from time to time stressed as keeping us from following outdoor
sports and healthy exercise in the open air.
From a general impression of children introduced to television,
while undoubtedly the novelty exerts a very powerful influence when
first brought into the home, it soon falls into its natural position, like
radio and the gramophone, as household entertainment, and only items
of interest are followed. The televising of many of the national sporting
events, and sports and games played by experts, can have an enormous
stimulating influence on children. They are thus shown how the best
exponents achieve their records, and in addition to having an incentive
to attempt to do likewise, also see in a very intimate way how these
pursuits can best be followed.
Progress, however, is bound to be made in all these sciences, and no
amount of decrying of the introduction of new ideas will prevent our
children from taking a great interest, and following up new developments
in every scientific field. A contributor in a recent issue of a scientific
journal has expressed the view that "interplanetary travel during homework
hours will, I feel sure, undermine the health of my great-grandchildren".
On page 40 the incidence of infectious disease in the Borough in 1951
is tabulated. The total figure of infectious disease cases, at 448, is less
than half the corresponding figure for 1950, which was 1,021. This
considerable reduction is due to a fall in 1951 in the incidence of scarlet
fever, measles and whooping cough.
The deaths of two children from measles were complicated by bronchopneumonia.
Both took place in hospital, but unfortunately the tender
age of the patients (both 15 months) jeopardised their chances of recovery.
Measles and whooping cough together still constitute one of the major
threats to young children. With improvement in the production of antiwhooping
cough vaccines, however, it is hoped, in time, to effect a
reduction in the incidence of this disease almost comparable with the fall
in cases of diphtheria.
During the year, there were no cases of anterior poliomyelitis (infantile
paralysis) notified, and there were no cases of diphtheria. It is now
generally accepted that the low incidence of diphtheria, and the negligible
death rate from this disease, can be accounted for by immunisation of the
child population.
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