The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-09-23

NUTRITION IN THE TEENS
The health authorities IN England
have found that the time of greatest
need for calcium and vitamin d Is
not infancy and early childhood, as
has been assumed In this country,
but rather the 'teens-age 8 to Is
years. This was determined by care
full studies and research surveys of
school children, Of both the poor and
well-to-do classes, over a period of
many years.
Cachexia Americana, I call the
physical and functional weakness Of
the child of that age who fails to
get his or her proper ration of cal
cium and vitamin D.
Incidentally 1t is in the teens that
the greatest need for dentistry oc-
ours. Although routine dental treat
ment, such as annual or better semi
annual cleaning, inspection, scaling
polishing and filling of any cavities
the dentor discovers, is the least
costly prophylaxis or conservation of
the teeth, only a small minority of
children in their teens enjoy the adj
vantage of such treatment in this
country-not because their parents
cannot afford necessary treatment
but because they have not yet been
educated sufficiently. Perhaps the
gullible American parents are influ-
enced too by the false teachings Of
toothbrush and dentfrice vendors.
A child cuts his first permanent
tooth, the "six-year molar" at the
age Of five to seven years-or rather
four first lnolars, one on each side of
upper and lower jaws. The "six-
year molars" come in behind the
temporary bicuspids. The crowns of
all of the baby teeth and the cusps
of the first permanent teeth (six-
year-molars) are already formed and
present under the gums when the
baby is born, so it Is obvious that
the nutrition of the mother during
pregnancy must determine the
soundness of the teeth the baby will
have. But later in childhood, as the
| other permanent teeth come in, up
to and including the age of II to
Is years when the third molarS, last
to be cut, commonly called the wis
dom teeth" appear-if they are going
to appear-nearly half of all adults
remain forever without from one to
all four wisdom teeth-the nutrition
of the growing child or youth has
/ great influence upon the character OF
the teeth.
Think of this when you hear
health advisers urging that every
growing child should consume at
least quart Of milk day. Think
of 1t also when health advisers urge
that everybody eat plenty of cheese,
eggs, green's, peas, beans, fresh fruits,
plain wheat and other whole grains
fresh butter, cream, dairy products
or dishes containing them.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Three Cents Postage
Correspondents who desire an an
swer by mail must inclose an enve-
lope bearing the correct address
(Which Is not "City" or "Locar') and |
3 cents postage. Loose stamps or
coin In lieu of stamped addressed
envelope will not suffice.
Girdle
Please advise If rubber girdles are
injurious to the body and health.
(Mrs. J. g.
Answer-No. Such garment or har-
ness cannot, of course, either reduce
or prevent accumulation of excess fat.
To keep your body youthful you
must keep your own supporting mus
Giles fit by suitable exercise. Such
daily exercises are described in the
booklet "The Last Brady Symphony"
are excellent for the purpose. For
copy send ten cents coin and
stamped envelope bearing your adj
dress.
Iodin Ration
In taking ration of iodine would
you be so kind as to advise whether
or not the tincture of iodine is inor-
ganic and hence cannot be assimi
lated by the body, as is organic 10
dine found in seaweed, etc. Il. H. A.
Answer-There is no appreciable
difference in organic and inorganic
iodine so far as utilization In the
body Is concerned. Fish, shellf1sh or
other edible foods from the sea are
excellent sources of iodine, but plain
brown tnicture of iodine, in my
Judgment, is as suitable as any
other iodine or iodide. Send stamped
envelope bearing your address, for