TOO MUCH HEALTH ADVICE

Evening Star, Issue 20865, 7 August 1931, Page 8

TOO MUCH HEALTH ADVICE

Under this heading ‘The Journal of the Indiana State Medical Association ’ voices a suspicion that has been for some time fermenting in the lay mind. Advice about health is surely salutary, but when it overwhelms us like an valancho, and from so many contradictory standpoints that _ ono knows not where to turn, it is time for someone to call a halt

The warning note comes from tho rule of medical authority. Says ‘ Tho Journal ’:

"Our readers are probably familiar with the story of Mrs Shelley’s ‘ Frankenstein ’ —a student who took pieces from cemeteries and dissecting rooms and fashioned from them a monster in the form of a man. Once tho thing was made, however, it could not be controlled, and turned upon its maker and destroyed him. “Tho story strangely reminds us of the ‘ Frankenstein monster ’ that is being created _ out of 'unrelated bits of over-emphasised health loro. "Without doubt this present interest in health and hygiene is most commendable, and promises much good. It is, however, being carried to extremes, and is getting to bo a burden. "The housewife is caught in a maze of vitamins, calories, carbohydrates, and ‘ acid-producing ’ foods, and docs not know which way to turn. She is up against tho problem of fattening tho children, ‘ slenderising ’ herself, and satisfying tho_ brute that comes home hungry and tired in tho evening, and it has just about got her down. "Raising a.baby in theso days is a big undertaking, and ono frequently hears a mother say that she does not seo how sho could possibly take care of two, when ono takes her whole time. As a result we are killing tho goose that laid tho golden eggs. "In order to raise a few children well wo are making such a fuss . bout it that most of tho children are being raised by folks who have no standards whatever. If a mother might be expected to do all tho things that some of tho health cranks are advocating, sho would need to have a Pli.D. degree from the university, but not many of tho Ph.D.’s have children, so that suggestion doesn’t seem to help a bit. “ After all, wo doubt if there is anything so unhealthful, mentally as well as physically, as excessive attention to self.

“ This health business is gettin„ to be a ‘ racket,’ and wo are much in need of folks bravo enough to break through a lot of theso silly rules ami insist that there are other things worth while, and that one can bo health.) without making it his life’s work. . " Common sense and a fair appreciation of what is really essential is about all that is necessary.”