Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-20
GENERAL
SCORES FOOT BALL
Charles F. Stokes, U. S. NJ,
Says Sport Is Too Strenuous
for Students of Service.

That "athleticism' as it is generally
understood makes those who follow it
more susceptible to disease than are those
who indulge in the more moderate exer-
cises is the statement made by Surgeon
General Charles F. Stokes, L. S. N, in
his annual report to the Secretary Of
the Navy. Foot ball is severely ar
.aigned, and he says unequivocally that
if the game is to continue the immediate
danger to life and limb should be re-
duced to minimum, which at this time,
he adds. has certainly not been accom-
plished
"Basing opinion upon data the sur
geon general says. obtained by investi-
gators in this country and Europe, it is
the prevailing belief of medical authori-
ties that participation in the customary
contests is not only unnecessary for the
oeveiopment OF the best physique. but
tnat the average man who is more ra-
tlonaliy and evenly developed by con-
SENTATIVE and rec. eative gymnastics, with
out the undue enlargement of the heart
muscle which commonly follows special
ISM IN loot ball and rowing, will live
longer, be more resistant to disease and
thereby enabled to render more service
The navy, the individual and the civil
community from which the prospective
omcer is appointed" the surgeon general
continues, his reference being to the
United States Naval Academy at AMMAN
ols, leach can rightfully demand that if
athletic contests are to be permitted and
particularly if they are to be encoura ged
by onclal dispensation and the moral
support OF thousands of spectators, the
immediate danger to life and limb shall
pc reduced to minimum, which certainly
has not yet been reached.
competitive sports are, however, not
compulsory. and after the minimum
dangers and doubtful advantages have
been pointed out by medical advisers and
instructors In physical training, partici-
patton may still be left to the ind d.
uafs decision, even If his youthful judg-
ment is somewhat discredited. The ex-
preston, once an athlete always an
athlete should be thoroughly Impress
ed, for heart given large amount
OF work to perform increases in size as
does any other muscle, and when later
comparative disuse occurs. degenerative
changes may be expected with corre-
spending susceptibility to disease and
failure to meet the unprepared for serv-
ice emergency.
at may be confidently contended that
in any given group of midshipmen who
have specialized in athletics at the Ma
val Academy and entered upon car0er
of comparatively restricted regular ply
steal exercise, an ultimately higher ad-
mission rate for tuberculo sis will DE
1OunO IMAM among tEelr conf ereS, who,
in addition to the regular physical train
ing. satisfied their need for physical
recreation in gymnastics. tennis and
other moderate exercises. All conditions
Of modern ship life favor an entire
change in the young officers physical
habits when they are assigned to their
first sea duty after graduation, and those
who have been the more athletic are
quite as prone to abandon their exercises
and adapt themselves to the less active
environment; these men have more
heart muscle. and vital capacity to fall
into disuse, and tubercular infection is
less readily resisted. while within a few
years a serious illness may find a de-
generated heart muscle unable to with
stand the strain. Mental strain inc de 1T
to student life does not require intense
physical exercise: modern physical rec
reaticn will far more readily relieve
brain fatigue and restore mental Wig r"
1t is needless to say that the report of
Surgeon General Stokes is causing lot
of talk and speculation among navy
men, for coming from the navy's rank
ing medical officer his criticisms are
bound to have weight in high offic' al
circles. It is also a matter Ct comment
that Surgeon General Torney of the
army. in his annual report. did not make
anv unfavorable criticism Of foet ball
and the other more strenuous sports.