Health Must Be Every Man’s Quest Before It Becomes National Conquest.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18451, 30 April 1928, Page 6

Health Must Be Every Man’s Quest Before It Becomes National Conquest.

LONDON, March 20. ii 'T'HE great mass of workers live a weary round of ham and X beef, beer, bread, tea, pickles, bacon, herrings, and cheese, resulting in impaired digestion and physique,” said Sir George Newman, chief medical officer of the Ministry of Health in a lecture to-day on the fundamentals of health.

Sir George said that the most subtle dangers to be avoided in these days of public education in health were, first, stunts and panaceas, because the world was too wide and nature too varied for the truth to lie in such things, and, secondly, because of the perverse unwillingness of the people to accept scientific aids to the survival of the best. “ Although the knowledge of the elements necessary to scientific nutrition—suitable food, fresh air, sunlight, exercise, cleanliness, warmth and rest —are as old as the human family,” he said. “ that knowledge is still only partially applied to the building of men and the rearing of the race. That is because the application of the knowledge is so complex and variable. The devising of ideal dietaries is insufficient. Even chemically ideal food prepared in a laboratory and preserved would lose some, and perhaps all, of its vital principles. The Essentials. “ Most people ignore the essentials, which are a variety of appetising cookery, freshly prepared or natural food. This is firstly due to medical neglect of rational feeding, which is worth more than all the drugs, and secondly to the vicious custom of sedentary workers of consuming excessive quantities of unsuitable food and not tak-

ing enough exercise. Another reason is ignorance and bad habit. Man’s diet should consist of meat, fish, milk, bread, cheese, eggs, peas, beans, lentils, containing proteins, cream, butter, suet, lard, dripping, olive oil, containing fats, and sugar, potatoes, rice, and other starches, containing carbo-hydrates. There should also be mineral salts contained in green vegetables and fruit. “ Strict and persistent moderation of diet tends towards longevity, and excess towards early mortality. “ Most persons over forty eat too frequently. Promiscuous eating should be avoided, because it robs the body of rest. Need Tor Rest. “ Alcohol, usually unnecessary to health, should not be taken before or between meals. Although daily exercise is a primary need, most people stand in greater need of rest. “ Britons and Americans are too restless to enjoy health or even mental capacity and balance. The modern excess of noise, clatter, chatter and meaningless activities are valueless to adults and harmful to children, who require time, peacefulness and rest in order to grow,” Sir George added that health must be every man’s quest before it becomes a national conquest.