School-Boys Health a grave and Far-Reaching Problem of the day. How to Solve it. (Published in Calcutta Medical Journal-Oct 1952)

S P E E C H:

Of Late there has been a progressive deterioration in the standard of education, which is more or less indicated by the huge percentage of failure at different examination giving rise to serious economic loss of the country and a feeling of frustration amongst our boys and girls. There has naturally been this sad and retrograde state of affairs, by the students themselves, their teachers, the syllabus, the University, the methods of teaching and examination on the one hand and by the socio-economic and environmental caused on the others. There is a veritable tug of war between the above and we go on arguing in a vicious circle. Two hundred years of foreign domination and exploitation together with the none-to-energising tropical loimate have taken life and vitality our of us, leaving us more apologies for human beings. We have sunk to the bottom of the pit and can sink no further. Our students in consequence have become a sorry specimen of what they actually should have been. Thinks should however change now after the achievement of National Independence. Our democracy will prove itself to be a mere shadow unless and until our future citizens, who are to up hold and maintain it are strengthened and revitalized both/ physically and mentally according to an agreed and accepted programme. A day's delay will strike a day off from the onward march of Democracy when the above problem has assumed to ominous a magnitude.

About a dozen tears back while I had been doing some research work on 'Eye disease and Nutrition etc. in Calcutta I had occasion to examine several boys. In my practice a good number of School boys. As I carry on my practice a good number of School boys. As I carry on my practice in the special subject of examination we find that besides eye-defects the boys are almost invariably victims of other systemic troubles as well. Rather, most of the ocular manifestations are secondary to and causally connected with systemic defects of which mal-nutrition is the chief, leading even a casual observer to the conclusion that the general health of the boys is definitely and rapidly deteriorating.

I order to acquaint myself with the actual state of health of the School boys I have had occasion to examine those of a local School the Bakultala. H.E. School, Nabadwip. A particular systematic from for examination has been prepared by me. General systems as well as organ of special senses, e.g., eye, nose, etc. have been examined. The work is still in progress. A preliminary survey has revealed malnutrition, under weight poor stature, defective vision, enlarged tonsils, bad teeth and skin-diseases in the number of boys, 34 of whom were taken up for investigation at the start. The result of the investigation convinces me that it measures are not applied end the boys go untreated majority of them must become invalids in future life even if they pass their examinations of the academic side it is the duty of every one to make immediate arrangement for regular and through treatment of defects which are eating into the vitals of the future of out young hopefuls. What has so far been done in some schools, I am reliably informed of the organic defects of their wards and there the matter ends. Circumstanced as they are in the present economic crisis, they are hardly able to find two majority of cases they are sorrty spectators of a tragedy, slowly but irrevocably enacted before their very eyes . If the growing maladies are detected and checked at their vary start remedies may not be too costly and beyond the means of the guardians. But, if they are not allowed to be chronic, the cure is certainly found to be costly, since 'a stitch' not given 'in time' , fails to save 'nine', of the old and wise proverb.

Under the circumstances, I have offered my suggestions to the school authorities for such an arrangement as will bring treatment within easy reach of the boys, it is the opening of a Students health clinic in each town. The starting of such a clinic, in each school, would be a far better one but much too expensive a course. The clinic should be equipped with all necessary instruments. One trained doctor will regularly examine all the boys throughout the year. One Health Register should be maintained. Any disease or defect noted in the examination, will be treated by a general physician or a specialist as the Municipalities and the Government Health Department, Philanthropic organizations and local physicians are absolutely necessary for the proper functioning of such a clinic. Through a sprit of sacrifice and social service on the part of physicians and specialists will always be the desideratum, yet, it the guardians contribute a paltry amount of 4/- per head month, the clinic can be kept probably going. Our popular Government, both Provincial and central, should also share and shoulder their responsibility in this very important matter. The Honorable Minister of Health of the Radhakrishan commission that " a statement of his Medical history should be required of each student previous to the physical examination, and clearance by the physical examination, and clearance by the physical examination should be a requirement for matriculation".

Recently I come to learn from the Asst, Director of Health services, School Hygiene and Nutrition that the Government has such a scheme up its ale eve and that some preliminary investigations are afoot in some municipal towns. But the programs is not so rapid and through as the necessity demands. The programs, if there has been any at all, should be quickened and the public enlightened. Calcutta offers come facilities for such juvenile treatment but the mufussil, for more reasons then one, does not. That is why the immediate starting of such clinics in the mufussil is considered imperative.

Our boys as they are now, compared with their compeers in the more advance countries cannot possibly give a better account of themselves either in examination or out in the world after they cross the there a hold of their institutions with depleted health and energy.