H—3l

The Medical State of the Pre-school Children —continued Number of defects found —continued Number. Per Gent. Ears— Otorrhcea .. .. .. .. .. 29 0-39 Deafness .. .. .. .. .. 17 0-23 Phimosis .. .. .. .. .. .. 38 0-51 Undescended testicles .. .. .. .. .. 67 0-91 Hernia .. .. .. .. .. .. 33 0-45 Habit abnormalities — Bad food habits .. .. .. .. .. 736 10 • 01 Other bad habits .. .. .. .. .. 496 6-74 Bowel action abnormality .. .. .. .. 91 1-23 Eneuresis .. .. .. .. .. .. 421 5-73 Insufficient daytime rest .. .. .. .. 371 5-04 Insufficient sleep .. .. .. .. .. 326 4-43 In these pre-school children subnormal nutrition remains practically at the same level as last year (8-86 per cent, in 1945). Poor posture, showing a lack of body tone, with which sleep and diet have much to do, appears in 4-71 per cent. Much the same percentage have too little sleep and rest —not enough daytime rest in 5-04 per cent, and too late to bed at night in 443 per cent. Ten per cent, of the toddlers give trouble at meal-times, showing the need for more education of parents in child-management. Immunization against Disease Whooping-cough : Complete course of vaccine, 1,082. Diphtheria : Complete course of vaccine, 66,533.

DIVISION OF NURSING The year presented many adjustment difficulties so common throughout the world as a result of the war. However, the nursing service of the Dominion has been maintained through the close co-operation of those responsible. The outstanding fact this year has been the very great increase in New Zealand's birth-rate, which has made considerable demands on hospital beds and staff. At the same time, there has been a wastage of nurses due to a large increase in the number of marriages with the return of our servicemen, the number of married nurses employed decreased, and with the lifting of Man-power Regulations and travelling restrictions a large number of nurses have left New Zealand with the desire to see something of the world. Over a period of six months no less than 88 nurses notified my office that they were leaving New Zealand, so that probably the number who have actually left is considerably larger.

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Health District. Babies, 3-12 Months. Pre-sehool, 1-5 Years. School, 5-15 Years. Total. North Auckland 929 1,343 497 2,769 Auckland 1,013 10,441 5,697 17,151 South Auckland • 183 2,928 4,640 7,751 East Cape 37 1,609 1,638 3,284 Taranaki 475 2,161 446 3,082 Wellington - Hawke's Bay 1,519 3,218 1,614 6,351 Wellington-Wairarapa 614 4,093 1,970 6,677 Nelson-Marlborough 161 665 822 1,648 Canterbury - West Coast 991 3,913 3,934 8,838 South Canterbury 16 565 991 1,572 Otago 159 1,938 2,691 4,788 Southland 159 1,379 1,084 2,622 Totals 6,256 34,253 26,024 66,533