The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-09-05
VOLUMES FOR AILMENTS BUT
 NOT A WORD FOR HEALTH

NUT "A WOND FUN HEALAh
 Certain individuals seem to be en- dowed with superior state Of health. It is not merely the luck to escape illnesses which overtake most people at one time or another, but inherent vitality. The resiliency Of the untamed animal, the endurance of the untrained savage, the zest of youth. Many authors have att tempted to define this superior state of health in various phrases, such as preservation of the char acteristics of youth, better-than- average nutritional condition as manifested by higher level of posi- tive health throughout the life cycle, better growth and development, ex- tension of the prime of life in both directions, improvement of the life expectation of adults, lower death rates, the highest degree of natural immunity, an adequate reserve power to tide over strains and enler- gencies.
 One recent author, Adele Davis, entitled an excellent book on nutri- ton for lay readers "Optimum Health" and in the book presents many sound, practical suggestions for maintaining what we are talking about, all based on scientific knowl- edge.
 In this column May 25, 1886, I irl- vited readers who might suggest a suitable word to convey the idea of that superior state of health to sub init their ideas. If any geek has a word for 1t, a word l can use in this column and elsewhere, I declared, the word would be worth twenty five dollars to me.
 Two hundred and forty-one geeks and one woman submitted a grand total of twelve hundred twenty-one and three fourths words. The one woman said she was not a geek, didn't know what a geek is, but at 72 she enjoys what she takes it l want a word for-and then present. ed the word: Active Health.
 Wading through the two hundred and forty-two letters-some of them six and eight page long-to find the magic word I want has not been all diversion, however. Some geeks took me back to Scripture and made me listen to their interpretations Of holy writ. Others submitted essays on pathology and endeavored to convince me that I can acquire buoyant health only by taking up this or that cult or fad. I feel grateful to the majority who sug- Rested words or terms without im- posing upon me their views of the cause and prevention of human ail- ments.
 So far I have not learned to like any of the words submitted, but l have set aside three or four and l am trying to learn to like one Of them enough to accept 1t, use 1t, and pay for 1t.
 Here it may be well to mention that the contest is closed now. Ii any more words come in shall go mad. Really 1t is trying the way people presume any such invitation ,, or privilege goes on and on regard less, once 1t has been offered. In spite of anything, I expect words will come trickling in from time to time for a year or more. That's the way 1t always works. Once l asked for lot of human guinea pigs to volunteer for an experiment. That was @ long while ago, but to this day get an occasional guinea pig letter-when l have forgotten just what 1t was all about. I want guinea pigs when I want 'en. Can't be bothered with 'en when there is no experiment under way.
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
 Raw Vegetables
 have great longing for raw veg etables, and eat them daily, from spinach to corn on the cob. Last winter I began eating raw sweet po- tatoes and they seemed to satisfy the craving, but friends tell me they damage the kidneys. I have picked up in flesh and strength and look better than I did, but friends warn me I should not eat raw things :. (Adrs. F. O.
 Answer Unless for some reason your physician specifically prohibits