Smyrna times., 1941-12-25
HEALTH Is BEST
WAR WEAPON
Board of Health Suggests a
Moderate Christmas For
Health's Sake
GIVE HEALTH GIFTS

Health is one of our most prec-
ious weapons to fight this war
without it our physical strength,
stamina, and our mental balance,
are much more easily lost" warns
DR.. Edwin Cameron. christmas
will be celebrated in Delaware this
year, of course, but let us not make
it christmas as usual, suggests
the executive secretary of the
State Board of Health. Let us
take it in moderation-avoid over
eating, over-indulgence of all kinds,
and especially over-fatigue.
Family physicians often say
that they never become really busy
until after the Christmas holidays.
Then the cold weather, the abund-
ance of flu" or grippe germs, add
ed to the widespread WEAKNESS
and often digestive upsets of
grown-ups and children from a hol-
iday spent mot wisely but too we'll
leads to much illness.
Complete physical check-ups for
grown-ups and children may not
sound in the holiday mood but will
prove of much more use than gaily
wrapped packages of non-essentials
during the time of war emergenc-
les that tax people strength. When
the check-ups are made let us fol-
low our Doctors advice about any
needed corrections, and preserve
our health for the task ahead"
Healthy Christmas for Children
DR.. Marion Sotopp, acting direc-
tor of Maternal and Child Health
says, LET us give gifts of health
this year. Before spending much
money for toys and other frivol-
tiles, let us make sure that all our
children have warm coats or snow
suits, sturdy shoes, good rubbers,
.galoshes or boots, warm underwear
and night clothes.
A new snowsuit, with it's sugges-
tion of happy outdoor play, or a
new pair of canton flannel pajamas,
all gay with color, can bring as
much joy as a life-size doll to a
small feminine heart. And what
boy wouldn't thrill to a pair of
rubber boots? (even though Dad
may be disappointed that he can
not play with the electric train.)
Sonny may also like a sheepskin,
lined coat like his father has, or a
bright plad mackinaw, and cap
with ear-laps like woodsman. All
these will satisfy their love Of
dressing up" and also help protect
them against the cold.
Keep the spirit of fun with your
gifts-let them be surprises, but
let the main cash outlays first be
for things that will promote health
and the toys be less expensive
items this year. Put any extra
dollars into buying those needed
glasses for Susy or having John
MES teeth given care. The joy a
child obtains from a toy is not re-
lated to it's cost but to it's use in
play. So let us think before we
buy. Family incomes will only
stretch so far, let us use our money
wisely.
Parents should see that the
youngsters have their needed 8-12
hours of sleep, according to age,
and maps for the younger ones, es-
Ipecially those over-stimulated by
Christmas visitors and excitement.
Mother, too, needs cautioning that
staying up until all hours of the
night to prepare for holiday festiv-
tiles is apt to affect her own health.
DO not let little children eat rich
foods. Rather, dress up wholesome
foods with gay garnishes for them
on the feast days. Raisin faces on
dishes of cereal are fun, for in
stance, and so is whole wheat bread
cut in the shape of a Christmas
tree. Dates, figs, stuffed prunes
and apricots make good substitutes
for candy. Grown-ups, too, need
Icautioning against over-indulgence.