Mr. POWER:

In all probability the provinces would not have made the advances which have been made in the work had it not been for the association, one which to a great extent is financed by the insurance companies. In Quebec the work is being attended to by the sanitary units or, as we describe them, les unites sanitaires. But assistance is required from the dental hygiene council, and possibly some guidance could be given as to the methods of carrying out the work most effectively. I agree that the amount is not very great, and were it within my power to give more I -would gladly do so. I shall make representations, and see that the hon. member's, representations are carried to the Minister of Finance in the hope that his heart may melt a little, and that he may give an extra $250.

Mr. WALSH:

May I commend the words of the minister and the work the organization is doing. I believe it is doing even more than the minister has indicated. I have known this organization through its director, Doctor Thompson, to go into a municipality and encourage it to undertake the survey of children in schools in order to ascertain the dental work which might be required. It has been doing a work which is of tremendous value to that municipality.

May I supplement the remarks of the hon. member for Winnipeg North Centre by stating that if the grant could be increased the efficiency of th.e organization would be improved to a great extent. It would be doing work such as that suggested earlier in the

Mr. HOWDEN:

Before we leave the

medical items there are some matters I should like to bring to the attention of the committee.

The CHAIRMAN:

Is the hon. member speaking to this item?

Mr. HOWDEN:

I shall speak about medical matters, but there is no such item in the estimates. The minister may carry the item if he likes, so long as I am permitted to speak for a moment or two afterwards.

Mr. POWER:

The hon. member will have an opportunity to speak under the item for administration.

Mr. NEILL:

Did I understand the minister to say that the association, bureau, or w'atever it is, prints articles or pamphlets on dental hygiene?

Mr. POWER:

Yes.

Mr. NEILL:

Would he mind sending a few to his colleague the Superintendent General of Indian Affairs? The dental hygiene among Indian children has been much neglected. In late years, for the sake of economy if you like to put it in that way, they have got it down to little else but pulling out those teeth which are in a bad state of decay. That is not true economy. The Indian agent tells me that since that policy was adopted hospital bills have increased in our damp British Columbia climate, and that the Indians have had to have more treatment for diseased glands, tonsils and the like. It is recognized generally that it is more economical to take care of the teeth, and to treat them in the initial stage of decay * rather than to resort to pulling them out when they get beyond saving.

Mr. POWER:

I shall be pleased to see that the superintendent general receives two or three pamphlets.