FITNESS AT FORTY

Southland Times, Issue 20044, 4 December 1926, Page 10

FITNESS AT FORTY

COMPULSORY’ EXAMINATION. VIEWS OF AUCKLAND DOCTORS. THE PROPOSAL NOT FEASIBLE. The suggestion marie by a member of the North Canterbury Hospital Board, at its last meeting, that if all people were medically examined on reaching the age of forty years, many troubles and much suffering would be averted, was referred by a New Zealand Herald representative to some leading Auckland practitioners for their views on the proposal that there should be a compulsory medical examination of all persons over forty. The remit to the Hospital Boards Conference, embodying the proposal, does not suggest how it is proposed to enforce the law, nor how to induce a woman, who may be fair and fat, to admit that she is also forty. One medical practioner expressed the opinion that the suggestion was both impassible in practice and unnnecessary. There was nothing special about the age of forty, for either sex. Wise people at any age on the advent of any deviation from the normal would consult a doctor. This medical man, who has for twentyfivc or more years examined our young men in connection with matters of defence, stated his emphatic opinion that the national physique was steadily improving. He laid great stress on the importance of cleanliness and care of the mouth and teeth, for the preservation of health in later life. Whereas in the past septic mouths were the rule, now they were the exception, and were comparatively rare. The recent improvements in this important respect, which might be due to improved conditions of living and housing, and to dental clinics and attention to the teeth of children, was corroborated by the experience of other practitioners. He had never seen a case of cancer of the mouth, tongue, throat, gullet, without septic carious teeth also being present, consequently the association was obvious. Frequent examination of people’s mouths was one of the best ways of preserving the health of the community. Another medical man agreed that there was nothing special about the age of forty. Such a general examination might have some good effect, but he regarded it as socially impossible. And too its value would be largely nullified because examination would be no use without compulsory treatment following. And in any case there would be limitations in detecting early symptoms of diseases, such as cancer, which would involve expense and time in needful laboratory and x-ray work and other investigation; and then the diagnosis must often be negative. Further, a man once examined might think himself safe without any further medical examination for a year when he might need it.

The doctor advocated an examination by a medical- man, the family doctor being best, when any one felt at all out of sorts when the age of forty or so had been reached. Prevention was better than cure, and a general overhaul might be of value. He agreed that the attention given to the teeth and general health of children had done much good, and that the physique of the younger generation was improving. Cleanliness, fresh air and exercise were great prophylactics. The general use of motor-cars had not tended to the improvement of health, and many people, men and women, had too much sedentary office and other work.