The People’s Health

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 195, 15 May 1936, Page 13

The People’s Health

Sir,—ln congratulating Dr.. Elizabeth Gunn on her success in enlisting, public sympathy and support in the children s interest, may I be permitted to draw attention to a vital phase of the health camp question that is apt to escape attention? An exceptionally fine body of citizens has offered its services as committee, but unless this phase is effectively considered the value of their work must be more than heavily discounted. In effect, the time, money and energy expended are likely to produce a negative result. , In emphasising the need for health camps, Dr. Gunn is surely. cogently stressing the necessity for a radical examination of the conditions calling fpr them; for offering unhealthy children, or adults, a short jjeriod of better living conditions and then returning them to the environment in which their sickness developed, is merely misdirected energy. Since healthy living conditions are so successful in curing ill-health in sickly children (and adults), surely they would be even more effective as a means of prevention. An extension of this simple principle will presently convert, into health camps our hospitals, sanatoria, and asylums.. It is the common-sense method of treating ill-health, not only in children but in adults as well; for the unhealthy state is not due to germs but, obviously to the wrong conditions of life that make the ravages of germs possible. There are very great possibilities indeed in this movement; and I commend to the committee the uncompromising necessity of earnestly studying this aspect.. It is along the line indicated that its activities must develop if results of real value are to be achieved; for glossing over defects while the influences that give rise to them are ignored and allowed to continue is simply encouraging and confirming the people in an ignorant and destructive course.—l am, etc., WILLJAM g Wanganui, May 9.