Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1926-09-22
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. ELLSWORTH HEALTH HINTS
IContributed by Mrs. Bertha Bullock
XSmith, Red Cross Community Nurse

$Contributed by Mrs. Bertha Bullock
XSmith, Red Cross Community Nurse
S~~~~~~<~~~~@~@%~~~%~~>%~%
Heredity.
| Quoted from recent authoritative
work.)
OF all the considerations that de-
termine health, heredity is the one
unalterable factor. Although certain
characteristics are obviously hered-
itary complexion, height and mental
and physical traits in great variety
yet in the past heredity has been
little understood. However, 1t Is
now possible to predict with some
degree of accuracyNthe inheritance OF
certain characteristics. In conse-
quence, heredity may no longer ne
used as a scapegoat for these faults
and failings which are not beyond
an individuals own control.
Many diseases, formerly consid-
cred hereditary because their actual
causes were unknown, are now
known to be communicable. Thus,
It is now understood that tubercu-
losis is not hereditary, although
babies and small children are rapidly
infected by association with tuDer-
culous parents. No germ diseases are
inherited in the strict sense OF the
word, although baby may be IN
fected with syphilis before birth II
his father or mother has the disease.
It is true that certain tissue weak
nesses of the body seem to be hered-
itary and, in consequence, one fam
ily is more succeptable to digestive
disorders, another to diseases OF the
lungs, a third to deafness, and SO on.
Moreover, low vitality may be In
herited. It should be understood,
however, that hereditary weakness
does not inevitably lead to disease.
Many persons have succeeded in pre-
venting the development Of active
disease by guarding against strain
in directions where they are weak by
inheritance and by building up
STRENGTHENING habits to overcome
these weaknesses.
Nervous disorders of every degree
of severity, even to insanity, may be
wholly or partly due to inherited
nervous defects. Proper training
and modes of living may overcome
this many times.
Feeble-mindedness is believed to
he inherited in the majority of cases,
and is incurable.
Civilization has an unfailing habit
of poo-pooing every new scientlhc
discovery Pasteur, conquer of the
dread hydrophobia, discoverer of
pasteurization, of preventive serums
and toxins, had to stand this howl of
ridicule. Koch, discoverer of the
deadly germ which causes consump-
ton, had to turn deaf ear to the
he-haws and poo-pooings of good
part of the world. Theobald Smith,
an American, the first to discover
that insects can be the carriers of
disease, was almost laughed into pro-
fessional oblivion before he proved
his point.
Today we gasp and say: "How
could they! Why, everybody knows
that pasteurization is wonderful
process for the protection of people
against disease, that flies, mosquitoes,
and a hundred and one other insects
are germ carriers and spreaders.
Laugh at these? How foolish"
But today there are people poo
pooling we'll established scientific
facts who will themselves be laughed
at tomorrow. Doctors, scientists and
research workers who have spent
their lives studying children tell
mothers: "Avoid taking your baby
into crowds. Keep him away from
all-day picnics, long trips, firing and
exhausting outings. You may be
tired when night comes, but think
how much more fatigued your baby
will be. You may have strength
enough to fight off the germs of
score of diseases which fill the air
at all such gatherings, but will your
baby?"
In matters of health, children are
the worlds champion spendthrifts.
A drunken sailor never spent money
with the abandon and recklessness
of a child spending his energy and
vitality to have good time.
Nature is an exacting master.
When her laws of health are dis
obeyed, the punishment she metes
out is often severe and lasting.
Especially is she exacting with chill
dren. For unhealthy habits in child
hood the child often pays through
out his life time. To us, endowed
only with earthly wisdom, it seems a
little unjust. After all, it is not the
child that is to blame, but the pa
rents - and yet the child must pay.
Children need careful supervision
of their day to guard against eX-
cesses in play, work or rest. In
other words, the parents should
balance" the day for the child.
To strike the happy balance be-
tween too much work and too much
leisure is the parents job. When
attendance at movies, parties or