TALKS ON HEALTH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 7 February 1928, Page 6

TALKS ON HEALTH

HEALTH AS A BUSINESS ASSET BY A FAMILY DOCTOR It is qtlite * «*tfad ihiftg for business men, when taking stock, to see exactly what their position is, to forget to reckon their most valuable asset, namely, health. Yet the success of a man's business depends on his being in a fit state to carry it on. It is a hard world, and others "will get the trade if you fall out. So when the auditor comes round and asks for your assets, put in the "Balancesheet in large and unmistakable letters, "Good Health." . QVIS&WORK- .*Nt) MENTAL STRAIN

Now, wfcat the Body needs is healthy recreation in the fresh air. Work, hut ck» hot overwork. Clear out once a week for an hour or two and get right away frofrt Business cares. If anyone asks you why you are leaving your business say you are taking care of your most valuable asset—your health. You attend to your premises and keep them. in good repair ; you take great, care of the horse, Because vou know that if you want to get the, best out of him you must give him sufficient rest and food; and while vou take care of all the other parts of your Business do not forget yourself. Force yourself to preserve your health as a duty, as an investment, as part of your Business. Dear me, what a lot of people one sees suffering from “nerves —i.e., overwork and mental strain. Now, Speaking as a business man, is it “good Business’’ .when you overwork to the extent of two hundred hours in a certain of months and then have to be ph the sick-list for two hundred and fifty ham's to make up for the over-strain? relieve me, there are hundreds of men who Bavd to be sent away for one, two, or three months’ holiday. ~ . . A RESERVE FUND Ghie fnore business consideration. It is pot enough that your business should jhst pay; it will not do if you make one thousand pounds and spend one thousand pounds. If vour business is to be sound, you must have a reserve fund to which you add from time to time. It is the same witß your Bealth; you are in an unsound state if you work up to the last ounce, of your strength and arrive home dead beat every night. There must be a margin. You must have a reserve fund of bealth to be called up in time of. feonffle. With no health in the bank, if j may tut it that way, you are completely bow led ’over By a slight chill, •which, you could have thrown off with ease if yon had been in better trim. effect of alcohol It. is such a common belief that in any efriergencv whatever the first thing to do is to rusk for alcohol that it may be as well, ft put on record the exact, effect of alcohol, and then we can act with discretion. The immediate effect of the alcohol- is to make the heart beat faster. Faintness is due to the enfeebled action of fHe heart, and therefore alcohol may Be given to restore the action of the heart in, cases of sudden pallor and faintness. Of course, the recumbent- posture and freph air will generally be sufficient. Alcohol. however, should not be given to a ihan who has received an iniury to the heia, or to a man in a fit. Nor should it Be given to' a man who is bleeding severely fifom a wound; the accelerated action of the heart would make the blood flow fester. It is only very rarely that alcohol is necessary for a, child, and it should never be administered unless under the orders of a medical. man.. Of chrohic complaints, alcohol is forbidden iii gout, Bright’s disease of the kidneys, aiid epilepsy; and those who have had aii alcoholic, fit and recovered from it should avoid alcohol, as it would help to Bring ota a second fit. PREVENTION OF CHILBLAINS

Chilblains may be prevented. First of all ybtf rhttet try to tone up your general systenfc, and, above' all, improve the cir*ulallio'h' by regular exercise. Stick to your d&lft bath's' in' the morning and have a brisk- rub do'wrt; that makes the blood spin through the veins. Chilblains are found in people Whose circulation is sluggish. Next, you must have mercy on your; poor feet. Stockings must be worn thick to protect the feet frqiri cold, and you .miist have them the proper size. stockings compress the feet as much as tight shoes do. See that the" stockings have square toes. It is cheaper in' the: long run to throw a#ay stocking's that are ton narrow.

.-..'■ A MATTER GF CIRCULATION The' importance' of rest in the cure of sore places and ulcers on the feet and legs is riot! sufficiently recognised. When the blood' circulates "through the ulcerated/ area it performs a double function; it brings nourishment "to the diseased tissues to build them up, and it carries away the'poisonous products of the ulceration. The faster the blood circulates the better are these two functions performed. But the,foot, being the lowest point in the circulation, is where the Wood-stream is most sluggish. In order to get back' to the heart it lias to climb uphillj' that is why the ulcers always occur on the legs arid feet; you never saw one on the' top of the head. If you lie down, with the foot raised on a pillow, the foot is no lonjjar the lowest point ' of the circulation—it is on a level with the head. Hence the circulation is encouraged, and the rapid supply of healthy blood does more to heal the ulcers than any application. Rest is essential for sores on the leg, especially in elderly people.

VARICOSE VEINS In the treatment of varicose veins only two methods need be considered, stocking or bandage and "operation. A bandage will give relief but will not cure; an operation will by removing the enlarged veins, cure once and for all. Not ail cases are suitable for operation; the surgeon must decide the point for you. But you will be foolish if you do not avail yourself of the opportunity of having an operation when it has been recommended. I have seen scores of people who have "been cured by a simple operation. Tight garters should riot be worn; suspenders which do not compress the leg are far more sensible. If it is possible to - arrange it, women with varicose veins should try and find some occupation which does not keep' them on their legs nil day.