The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-06-02
KEEP IN FIGHTING TRIM.
Some Health Rules Which Every Per-
son Should Observe for HIS Good
and That OF the Community.

In pamphlet entitled Fighting
Trim" issued by the United States
Public Health Service, Surgeon j. M.
Eager lays stress upon personal en-
deavor OF every individual as of the
highest public importance in the or
ganized war against disease. The
wonderful victories that have been
won In combating infectious maladies
nave had tendency to divert popu-
lar attention from the equally import
ant personal fortification against dis
eases of all kinds. The question of
preparedness against onsalughts of
the enemy. query prominent In the
minds OF every one in these days Of
warfare Is put I'm a special personal
bearing as relating to the dangers
threatened by disease. the permanent
enemy OF mankind. Are you personal
ly prepared, II Is asked for the hand
to-hand encounter with disease that
you are sure to be forced into sooner
or later or in which perhaps you are
already engaged? Unless you are
willing to succumb without q strug-
gle. fight you must, no matter how
feeble your fighting proclivities are.
The inevitability of the battle against
disease Is strongly insisted upon.
Peace between nations, II is stated.
may not be an unattainable hope, but
even when the much desired era of
human concord comes and armed
strife among men has ceased, there
VIII still be an everlasting battle to
fight. a ceaseless struggle for a few
more years Of health and life, q des-
perate conflict against foe who, as
Tar as victory over the individual
tighter Is concerned is certain in the
end to win-the battle against disease.
In the defense against disease two
things are necessary-a systematic
union OF fighters. the sanitary organ
ization. and personal preparedness.
the product OF intelligent and diligent
personal hygiene. Personal prepar-
edness 10 the patriotic duty of every
citizen assan aid to national sanitary
defense. No man as a member of 80.
ciety Is morally free to live un-
hygienically or to acquire disease
through lack of personal care. Like a
slovenly soldier. the person who neg
lects hts health risks imparting to
others his loose morale, or even trans
mitting disease to the whole COM
munity.
Health Is mans most valuable
possession. without It he cannot
hold or enjoy anything else that falls
20 his lot or that he wins IN the bat
tie OF life, Without health he is
burden to himself and, unless he pos
sesses marked compensatory qualities,
an encumbrance to his comrades.
Though as victims of life's III chance.
they are entitled to the most sympa-
thetic consideration, 1t Is a sad fact
that the sick cannot but be consider.
ed as impediments in. the conflict of
existence. Their place is In the rear.
Often. indeed. as easy marks for the
attacks OF disease. they become tar
gets drawing the fire Of the enemy.
Wealth. position. friendship, ability to
help others are largely discounted by
physical inflrmity."
The health making attitude of
mind Is represented as a profitable
talent and fortunately one that can
be acquired. Doctor Eager calls at
tention to the large available mass OF
literature on health subjects-work,
exercise, relaxation. sleep, fresh air,
proper temperatures. food. cooking.
cleanliness. ETC., that should be ju-
diciously selected and studied. Every
person must learn for himself what
peril threatens in his special place. In
life.
Studies of health subjects in schools
and clubs, Its exposition N public lec-
lures. newspaper articles. and bulle-
tins have the saiutary tendency. 1t is
stated, TO promote wholesome prac-
tices as an habitual exercise and de-
velop the precious quality of auto
matically choosing In every action and
habit OF life those courses that con-
duce TO bodily soundness.