FADS AND GOOD HEALTH

Taranaki Daily News, 30 August 1930, Page 8

FADS AND GOOD HEALTH

OUTSPOKEN B.M.A. -COMMENT - SUPPORT OF AUCKLAND DOCTOR?. EXAMPLE OF THE PIONEERS. (By Wire.—Special to News). Auckland, Last Night. General agreement is found among Auckland medical “men with the outspoken comments of Dr. Robert Hutchison, London, who,. speaking at the conference of the British Medical Association at Winnipeg, adversely criticised the present vogue of health fads, dieting, exercise and fear of microbes and declared tint health was more easily to be found in an easy-going life that scorned worries about being fit. The experience of representative Auckland doctors evidently coincides very closely with that of Dr. Hutchison, who is described as “a very sound, practical man.” “If people thought less about their health as a general rule they would be much more healthy,” said one doctor. “Neurasthenics are just people who spend their time thinking about themselves and studying their symptoms and ailments. Use common sense aud avoid excesses-is a safe general rule.” In proof of the contention that ac-y curate scientific knowledge aud skilled attention arc not always necessary to secure god health the speaker drew attention to the'records of the pioneers of New Zealand. “What did they know about germs aud calories and vitamins and so on?” he asked. “And yet they will outlive a good many of us.” Many people will be glad to know that there is sound medical support for the belief that, in the matter of diet a person’s own likes and dislikes should be heeded. .Several doctors stated that personal taste in food usually gave ft rate indication of what was best for a person’s general health.

In Auckland, as elsewhere, there are evidently not a few children suffering from, overmuch care and attention from anxious parents who seek to regulate all their actions and habits. “Children should be allowed to play round as they like until they are thoroughly tired, and then they will go off to sleep naturally like dogs do,” said one doctor. . •,