DOCTORS BAFFLED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 115, 17 May 1941, Page 9

DOCTORS BAFFLED

FITNESS OF BRITISH

Health Standard Higher Than In Pre-War Days

British Official Wireless.

Rec. 10.30 a.m

RUGBY, May 16.

The 1 nited States is sending to Britain a committee of American medical men to try to find out why the people came through the winter's ordeal with better health than in the years of peace. Medical men generally are completely baffled bv the nation's fitness.

They feared that after the nights of crowding in air raid shelters and A X fi°D Ure weathers when on A.K.t*. and fire-watching duties epidemics might sweep the countrv. In actual fact, there have been fewer cases of scarlet fever, diphtheria, pneumonia, typhoid fever and only half the number of deaths from influenza. Whooping cough and meningitis alone have been rather more prevalent than usual.

Britain's own doctors offer various explanations, among them the dispersal of the denselv popuated areas, the improved system of health supervision, the spread of education in preventive measures and the attendance of fewer people at the cinemas and in other public places. All, however, are agreed that the busy and hazardous life led by 40,000,000 people leaves them neither time nor inclination to brood over minor ailments.