The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-12-29
Stop Disease Before 1t Begins

The children of those sinewy pioneers who chopped down trees and shot down Indians as part of their daily routine to open up wilderness continent are grow ing soft. It is not the fault of Twentieth Century inhabitants if there are no more trees to be chopped down, Nor car they be blamed if they ride around the coun- try in automobiles without fear of run ming into a hostile Indian tribe that has to be dusted off or else But the Ameri- can Youth Commission, an adjunct of the American Council on Education, is Wor- ried about the general state of affairs, and is asking that something be done about it. The progress of medical sci ence in combating disease is not enough. The nation at large, the commission be- lieveS, must be given an opportunity to prevent the ailments in the first place so that there will be no need for treating them at all
 To bring about such program, the fed eral government will have to kick in the commission frankly declares in a recent report. It is perfectly true that indi- vidual state governments are badly pre- pared financially to institute such a pro- gram; and if they did, the systems adopt ed would vary with the different states. What Is proposed now is an extension ot services being conducted by the federal government. The modern way of liv- Ing In America has done something to the body. It is less fit to withstand dis ease generally than 1t was when vlgor- ous exercise was part of the daily rou- tine. While the treatment of disease has advanced steadily, preventative measures have not quite kept pace with the simpli- fication of our routine of life.
 To prepare youngsters against suscepti- bility to disease later In life steps must be taken early. Many schools are already giving their pupils regular periods of physical instruction and exercises The Youth Commission feels these activities are not widespread enough. The boys and girls who are most In need of eXer- else usually pass up gymnasium classes because they are not adept in physical education. The teaching of hygiene and preventative measures Is also in need of considerable expansion, the commission contends The results of recent survey conducted revealed only about 10 per cent of all students received hygiene in- struction in high school or college. Another recommendation Is a regular system of frequent physical examinations to detect disease or potential disease at the earliest stage possible.
 Whether the federal government can be persuaded to fork out funds while even the President Is blue-penciling the budget seems pretty uncertain just now. But the extension of outdoor recreational activities and school physical education programs can be undertaken by the schools themselves in cooperation with municipal recreational bodies, Many schools and many cities have already developed excellent programs. Periodi- cal physical examinations are already available In many institutions. How much luther these plans can be carried depends entirely on how much money can be laid aside. When federal funds are a little more abundant, discreet share might very well be given to foster an expanded health program of this nature.