MANY BREAKING DOWN

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17235, 15 April 1930, Page 7

MANY BREAKING DOWN

EX-SOLDIERS’ TROUBLES PROBLEM OF THE UNEMPLOYED That tljere seems to be an increasing number of ex-servi'jemeii breaking down in health through various disabilities, such as debility, gastric trouble, rheu-, mutism, and premature old age, is one of the arresting statements in the annual report of the Dunedin It.S.A. The report states that men are now 12 years older than at the cessation of hostilities and their age is also a factor in their difficulty in obtaining permanent employment. Unfortunately, the most difficult case is that ol tlie man who is of an independent nature and carries on as long as lie possibly can. The fact that he did not consult a. medical man when off color makes it much more difficult now to establish any claim lie may have for a war pension. The psychological effect on a partially incapacitated man caused by unemploymeii and by the stress of providing toi his family seems to have a direct infiueii'co on his physical condition. It is distinctly noticeable that during severe periods of unemployment a number oi men out of work seem lo break down and require hospital treatment. It is often very difficult for the doctors in charge of the case to determine’ how much of the condition is physical and how much psychological. Many such cases show distinct signs of neurasthenia, which may ho due partly to their war service and partly to their family responsibilities.