View report page

24
boy, but at the age of 18 the physique of the Public School boy
has greatly improved, whilst that of the boy who has left school
earlier has deteriorated. The seeds of Tuberculosis are often
sown during this age period. Possibly great advantages would
accrue if some alteration could be made in the constitution of the
Officers' Training Corps, so that all boys up to the age of 18
might be compelled to devote one or two days a week to physical
training and preparation for military drill. The training of boys
in rifle shooting would make training very popular, and after the
age of 18 no difficulty would be experienced in getting young men
to continue their military training,'by joining the Territoiral Regiments
in their immediate neighbourhoods. The condition of the
troops in this country at the present time testify to the physical
advantages to be gained by men going through a military training,
and a man in good health will prove a better industrial worker
as well as a better soldier, and a better citizen if he can be
brought up from birth in good health and taught how to keep it.
DIPHTHERIA.
Seventy cases were notified, and 21 were sent to hospital.
There were six deaths. Most of the cases were very mild. Bacillus
found in most cases. Two persons from a very poor house with
lodgers were sent to hospital, and sent back as not Diphtheria.
In only three cases was there direct evidence of contact with
another case, but in several others there had been cases of sore
throat in the house.
Antitoxin was administered in most cases.
One child was not diagnosed by the medical man, who has
since left the town. This child died in hospital. One case
occurred in a child discharged from N.E. Hospital four days
previously.