The Detroit times., 1917-07-18
Re-Make the Unfit
Not long ago II was suggested by
nv N. ARLINGTON BRYCE -
Author OF The Riddle OF Person
ailty." Psychology and
Parenthood." etc.


f. E. Rittenhouse. specialist IN life
conservation. that health camps"
should be established. not merely
for Rae beneht OF men returning dis
abloi from the battleiields OF Ei-
rope but also for men rejected or
discharged from military service as
physically undt
What is 20 be done with those
men," Mr. Rittenhouse pertinently
asked Are they 20 be returned TO
their homes and industries. and be
permitted 20 continue 20 deterlorate
physically without an effort being
made Co conse rye them?
III we can afford - spend time
and money raising the man. power OF
those wLo 40 20 fight our battles
In this war, can We not afford TO
spend some tine and money in rails
ing the man power OF the impaired
group OF whose physical needs We
have acquired Official knowledge
Gould our government make a
better investment than 10 establish
physical reconstruction camps where
this army OF sub-standard men could
receive proper nourishment. physical
training and medical attention ,"
So far as | am aware, Mr. Ritten-
house suggestion has evoked little
public discussion II ought 10 be
widely and fayorahly discussed.
Without unnecessary delay proyi-
sion should be made 20 give effect
20 IL on a large scale
The great need of the times Is for
men physically and mentally ft II
the world s. 20 be set free from the
German menace. The indicators OF
democracy. whether fighting In El-
rope or laboring IN America. must
De NJ 20 fight and 10 labor intelli-
gently and hard.
And those now now UNIT should
be made ~ so far as Il Ia humanity
possible 20 do this
Examinations by life Insurance
companies indicate that az least 20
per cent 81 American workers need
. medical attention 20 some extent.
This means that for reasons OF
physical impairment 80 per cent Of
the workers are not able 10 work at
a maximum or efficiency.
Some OF the so per cent are 80 I'm
paired IN health that their recon
structlon "a out OF the question. But
this Is not true OF the great ma
jority.
Taken in hand promptly they
could De raised once more 20 physi-
cal fitness by a brief sojourn In a
health camp There they could also
learn how 70 keep nj after leaving
the camp.
BESIDES which. on leaving II they
would one and all be missionaries
20 preach 20 others gospel OF
right living that would save thou
sands from the experiences they
themselves have undergone.
As things now stand many man
who suddenly discovers that he II
physically unfit IS helpless 20 re
build himself He has not the neces-
sary knowledge and be cannot AFFORD
special medical care
I The result IS that he continues
70 work ~ a low efficiency rate. con
'inues 70 deteriorate, and dies long
before his time
Needless tragedies like his could
and should be ayerted They bear
heavily both on the victim and hts
relatives and on the nation AT
large. For the strength and pros
perity of every nation clearly de
pend on the health OF the indlvid-
I uals who make up the nation
Health conservation r. therefore a
national need az all times. Today
IL is a vital national need And the
proposed health camps offer sim
pie way os meeting H.