MAKING A HABIT OF HEALTH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23500, 14 May 1938, Page 11

MAKING A HABIT OF HEALTH

Let me introduce myself, writes a “ Harley Street Physician ” in the Listener, as one' who was graded by the Medical Board during the war as “totally unfit.” I suppose it might be called a C. 4 class. And now. may [ tell you of my efforts to overcome this handicap? I think what helped me most was the wav I looked at the whole problem of health. I looked upon it as a wireless mast which must have supports or guy ropes co take the strain of wind and weather. One rope only is almost worse than none, yet it is surprising how many physical culture enthusiasts rely 011 single approach to the solution of this problem. Diet enthusiasts fresh air enthusiasts, gymnastic enthusiasts, and those practising what is sometimes called the new psychology often claim that in their particular cult lies the road to physical salvation. The first thing that an amateur should learn about whatever type of machine ne is attempting to use is surely that all its parts should function properly hor instance, no amount of external cleaning will suffice if any of the sparking plugs or an engine are sooted up, or if the petrol pipe is choked poesn t this give us the clue to oui health/ However well we practise breathing, it cannot compensate for indiscretion in diet, nor can perfect regulation of our physical habits compensate for lack of fresh air. Perfect balance is the key to the economical running of any machine, and the rule holds equal force when applied to our bodily mechanism.