Evening star., 1933-10-22

erty and disease have been allies against
the welfare Of mankind. People have
realized the connection, feared and re-
sented II. Individuals, philanthropically
minded, have endowed hospitals and
medical research centers; governments
have esta ablished medical institutes and
clinics; universities have sponsored
schools for physicians and surgeons;
insurance companies have provided
nursing care and staged educational
campaigns, and the net effect Of all
these efforts has been gain for hu.
manity in the age-old struggle. But
during the past two or three years In
America there has been an aggravation
Of the problem. The depression has cut
the accident death rate and the normal
birth rate, but, much more important,
it also has undermined to . consider
able extent the natural health reserves
Of the population.
The United States Public Health
Service, reporting on surveys in five
cities, says:
Using the disabling sickness rate dur
ing a three-mOnth period in the Spring
of 1888 as an index of Ill health, it was
found that this rate was nearly fifty per
cent higher In families Of the unem-
ployed than in families Of the employed.
Frequency Of illness was discovered to
be in direct proportion to inadequacy Of
family ircome Furthermore. the high
est sic' :,ess rates occurred In families
exper ncing the greatest loss Of income
during the period 1929-1932.
In the layman's Judgment these fnd-
ings are exactly what might have been
expected. No formal investigation was
needed to demonstrate the existence of
the slump in health; it was under
taken solely in the interests Of scien-
tihc measurement of the extent Of the
decline To many the wonder will be
that the situation disclosed is not much
worse than it has been shown to be.
Common observation is confirmed by
the Service statement that:
The highest illness rate is reported
comfortable circumstances in 1929, but
which had dropped to comparative
poverty by 1882. Their illness rate Is
fifty-five per cent higher than that of
their more fortunate neighbors, who
were equal in economic status in 1929,
but suffered no drop in income by 1882.
The question. Of course, is: What can
be done to retrieve the losses? 1t may
be presumed that the Federal Govern
ment and the several States will not
fail In their duty. It likewise may be
anticipated that with returning pros
perity the majority OF the men and
women now so circumstanced as to be
obliged to neglect their health will be in
position to improve their condition. But
large numbers, almost surely, will be
forced to apply to community institu-
tions. The demand upon public and
quasi-public hospitals and clinics, in
evitably, will be heavy. To maintain
their work appeal will have to be made
to every citizen competent to help.
Sociologists prophesy that the crisis
will come this Winter and that prepara-
ton promptly should be made to deal
with 1t. Failure might promote epi-
denies which would sweep the land
The outlook a grave. Dut u Il not
hopeless. The American spirit, striving
for industrial recovery. also will meet
the challenge Of disease. Sacrifice is
implied, but 1t will be made without
complaint in an issue 50 vital as the
Nations health