New Britain herald., 1926-10-28

an adequate diet Is being continual ly better understood and, reversing the picture, we are understanding better the cause and effect of made quate diets and Ill health. In the research laboratories, carefully con- trolled animal experiments show us the physical results of incorrect feeding.
 "The draft disclosed startling facts regarding the health of our people. The chairman of the American Na- tional Red Cross recognized the con- tribution which that organization could make in public health educa- ton and the work went forward. It soon became apparent that educa- tion nutrition work was a vital fac tor in public health education. As that phase belonged to the specialist, the nutrition service was established.
 "The Red Cross nutrition pro- gram is then an educational rather than remedial one. When remedial work is conducted, it is upon the physicians diagnosis and through cooperation with him.
 "The work was begun in New Britain a year ago-the nutritionist being a member of the school health service. The nutritionist was assigned 10 the open air school where favor able conditions for periods of rest and good food had been established for some time. The children in this school are physically below par for one reason or another and are as- signed to the school through the recommendation of a physician. The medical records and nutritional his tories of the children gave added proof of the need of nutrition work.
 Educational work has been start ed and is based upon the selection of food from the standpoint of an adequate amount of food as well as from the intelligent selection of food.
 Some remedial work has been carried on through cooperating with physicians, the family physi- clan being contacted when possi. ble. By the middle of the school year, it was evident that while many children were gaining in weight, the additional weight was not being evenly distributed but was going to the hips and legs, the chests remaining narrow. The Red Cross then made possible Dr. Sam uel Delano's services for conducting exercises with a group of children. The results of adding the exercises to the rest of the program were gratifying. This was especially true in developing the chests.
 Many problems enter into the pictures of these children when they become individuals and not of the group. They are economical problems, psychological problems, social problems, many times involv- ing broken or unsafe homes. And to the medical profession, to the buslness men, and to the social workers as well as to the volun- teers who have cooperated so gen. erously, we are indebted.
 T have heard the director Of dis aster relief for the Red Cross say a number of times that the recon struction period following the dis. aster tests the temper of the metal 1 So there must be a vision to carry forward the everyday work which IS n-spectacular. Some of you may feel that children have a right to the fuller life in which health certainly has part. Some of you may see a well-nourished child as the more useful, potential citizen"
 Rev. Greene will be chairman of , the 1926 annual roll call, which starts on Armistice day and runs to Thanksgiving. Last evening he an- nounced the appointment commit tee chairmen: Finance. Leon A. Sprague; publicity, Ralph H. Ben son; speakers, Mrs. I. D. Russell: booths Joseph Gaeta; churches, Rev. T. A. Greene; mailing lists, Curtiss L. Sheldon; branch chap ters, F. w. Irving.