HEALTH OF BRITAIN’S PEOPLE GOOD

Southland Times, Issue 24438, 19 May 1941, Page 12

HEALTH OF BRITAIN’S PEOPLE GOOD

(8.0.W.) RUGBY, May 15. The United States is sending to Britain a committee of American medical men to try to find out why people have come through the winter’s ordeal with better health than in the years of peace. Medical men generally are completely baffled by the nation’s fitness. They feared that after nights of crowding In air raid shelters and exposure to all weathers when on air raid precautions and fire-watching duties epidemics might sweep the country. In fact, there have been fewer cases of scarlet fever, diphtheria, pneumonia and typhoid fever and only half the number of deaths from influenza. Whooping cough and meningitis alone have been rather more prevalent than usual.

Britain’s own doctors offer various explanations. Among them are the dispersal of densely-populated areas, an improved system of health supervision, the spread of education in preventive measures, fewer people at the cinemas and in other public places. All, however, are agreed that the busy and hazardous life led by 40,000,000 people leaves them neither time nor inclination to brood over minor ailments.