The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-09-08
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

HUH 6GMOOA EOOADhAa4
 My son excelled in football and cross country running when he was in high school It now appears that he has serious enlargement of the heart, athletic heart, the doctors call 1t. He is married to a nice girl but seems to be unable to work ..
 (M. s. L)
 For years I have been trying to enlighten parents on the dangers of high school football. For my pains I have taken some hard wallops from interests that are built on high school "sport"-the commercial ex- ploitation of the game in high school. I don't give well, put in your own phrase for it, but I take this opportunity to caution parents of high school boys now at the be- ginning of the training season--if the farcical program the football inc terests put their prospective players through can be dignifled as train ing"
 It is the considered opinion of many medical authorizes that both football and cross country running, for that matter, are beyond the ca- pacity of normal high school boys. They are suitable games or athletic activities for men of college or uni- versity age. If high school boys, children in their teens who have not yet attained full growth or develop ment, are permitted or encouraged to enter such training there is al- ways grave risk of developing just such strain of the heart as the cor respondent describes in his son.
 Boys in their teens should culti- vate games or athletic activities adapted to develop skill and agility, not brute strength or endurance. Baseball, tennis, short foot races or sprints, jumping, short swims, skat- ing, and the like are well suited for growing youths.
 The exploitation of high school football as a sport" is in my judg- ment sorry influence all around, and advise all parents of high school boys to squelch the idea of 8 boy training for football while he is in high school, for the best interest of the boy in later life.
 Incidentally, it won't dent my shell bit to write me blistering letters or criticisms or rebukes about this. It is my opinion and belief and I'm going to stick to 1t from now till then.
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
 So You Thought YOu Would Go
 Mad?
 Sometimes I fear am going in- sane I'm so terribly nervous all the time. Wondered if you could suggest something to steady the nerves. (H. WO
 Answer-Maybe this will help: have never known any one wht feared he was going insane to go in sane. When you say you are tier ribly nervous" it doesn't mean any thing to me. Why not lay the nerv' ous idea aside for the duration anc consult physician as thougt neither you nor the doctor knew anything about "nerves"-which, assure you, is just so.
 Terpin Hydrate
 Following a suggestion in youl column I have been using terpin hydrate now for about month, and it has relieved my cough more than anything I remember for twenty years, and am thankful to you for 1t. N. O. .Answer-One or two grains of ter- pin hydrate, in capsule or elixir is the dose, three times daily, after food, for chronic bronchial cough. If it does no good in a week or two, no use taking it longer. We'll to take it for two or three weeks, at inter- vals of a month or two.
 Preparing for Maternity
 Would appreciate any literature you may send me. I am anticipating the arrival of my first baby about i the middle of January.
 (Mrs. c. J. O.
 Answer-Send a stamped envelope bearing your address and inclose