The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1915-05-28
FIGHTING TRIM.


In a pamphlet entitled Fighting
Trim" issued by the United States
Public Health Service, Surgeon J. NJ.
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
have had a tendency to divert popu-
lar attention from the equally impor
tant personal fertilization against dis
eases of all kinds. The question of
preparedness against Onslaughts of
the enemy, a query prominent in the
minds of everyone in these days of
warfare is put in a special personal
bearing as relating to tue dangers
threatened by disease, the permanent
enemy of mankind. Are you person
ally prepared, it 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 a struggle,
fight you must, no matter how feeble
your fighting proclivities are. The III
evitability of the battle against disease
is strongly insisted upon. Peace be
tween nations, it 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 will still be an
everlasting battle to fight, ceaseless
| struggle for few more years of
health and life, a desperate conflict
| against a foe who, as far as victory
over the individual fighter is concerned
is certain in the end to win-the bat
tie against disease.
In the defense against disease two
things are necessary-a systematic
union of fighters, the sanitary Organi
cation, and personal preparedness, the
product of intelligent and diligent per
sonal hygiene. Personal preparedness
is the patriotic duty of every either
as an aid to national sanitary defense
No man as a member of society i
morally free to live unhygienically o
to acquire disease through lack O
personal care. Like slovenly soldier
| the person who neglects his healt
risks imparting to others his loos
morals, or even transmitting diseas
to the whole community.
Health is a mans most valuabl
possession. Without it he cannot hol
or enjoy anything else that falls
his lot or that he wins in the battle {
life. Wihtuot health he is a burde
to himself and, unless he posses
marked compensatory qualities, a
encumbrance to his comrades. Thong
as victims of life's ill chance, they ar
entitled to the most sympathetic col
sideration, it is a sad fact that tn
sick cannot but be considered as in
| pediments in the conflict of existence
Their place is in the rear. Often, il
deed, as easy marks for the attack
of disease, they become targets draw
long the fire of the enemy Wealth
position, friendship ability to hel
others are largely discounted by phys
car infirmity"
The health making attitude of min
is represented as profitable talen
and fortunately one that can be &C
quired. Doctor Eager calls attention
to the large available mass of litera
ture on health subjects-work, exer
else, relaxation, sleep, fresh air, prop
er temperature, food, cooking, cleanli
ness, ETC., that should be judiciousl,
selected and studied. Every person