30 NOVEMBER 1907, Page 3

It is already fairly clear that objections will be raised

to entrusting the work to the medical officers indicated, but we have no doubt whatever as to the desirability of introducing

medical inspection in some form. England has lagged behind other countries in this matter, which is a method of national health insurance. Compulsory medical inspection will pauperise no one, though later it may be necessary to beware of taking unnecessarily out of the hands of parents the duty of attending to the health of their children. Again, it is greatly to be hoped that the new system will be worked with a due regard to economy. If not, and if the national tendency to extravagance is not kept strictly in check, we may do as much harm with one hand as we are doing good with the other.