The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-09-23
THE VALUE OF CALCIUM

Contributing cause of the com- mon nutritlonal deficiency in chll- dren, growing youths, young and mature adults - remember what Sherman said = no, no, not Gen. Wm. Tecumseh but Prof. Henry Clapp Sherman, Columbia Univer- slty--you don'tS Tch, tch tchl How many times must tell you Sher- man said Chemistry of FO0d and Nutrition, Macmillan, SD: "A food supply may appear liberal and va- ried, and yet unless milk and green leaf vegetables and well represented 1t may be calcium-poor. Hence the ordinary mixed diet of Americans and Europeans, at least among dwellers in cities and towns, is probably more often deficient In calcium than in any other chemical element.".
 Contributing to this calcium de. ficiency in childhood, youth, early, middle and mature adult life is the combination of habits. customs, cir- custances and obsessions which in one way or another discourage, for- bid or prevent exposure to sunshine or skyshine. Such exposure to di- rect or diffuse sunlight is the ra. tural way for the body to manufac- ture vltamin D, and vitamin D is essential for the normal assimila- ton, utilization and retention or calcium Cand phosphorus), So it is necessary not only to include plenty of milk tor milk products) ted green leaf vegetables in the daily diet, but to expose the body to sum light or daylight, or else take as a supplement to the diet Q good daily ration of vitamin D, Co insure ror- nal calcium metabolism or utiliZa. ton.
 Aside from prevention or relief of rickets and tetany, and the function of calcium and vitamin D (and phosphorus) seems to reg ulate phosphorus metabolism, or perhaps 1t Is more accurate to say vitamin D maintains the balance between calcium and phosphorus in the formation of normal bones and teeth and protection against dental carries (decay of teeth), an adequate daily intake of calcium and vitamin D, at least in my op!n- lon, prevents or relieves q great many of the vague disabilities which sufferers commonly call chronic rheumatism. Indeed this is pre- cisely what I recommend in the pamphlet Calcium and Rheumatiz' which you may have on request co clipping Is not a requesD If you in- close . stamped envelope bearing your address. Mind though. this Is not cure-all for joint diseases.
 If 1t seems at all inconsistent to ascribe to calcium and vitamin D such influence on bones, teeth, mus cles and nerves or on ailments in- volving such widely different tissues or structures, don't let 1t worry you. We haven't told you the half of it calcium and vitamin D have great Influence on the coagulability or clottlng time of the blood and on the force of the heartbeat and one with calcium and vitamin D defici- lency is more likely to bleed eXceS. SIyeiy from minor wounds and to nave pVOT UTGNlAbAOh btStA7N SA weakness of heart action.
 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
 Low Basal MetabOilsm
 Please tell me what doctors mean by low basal inetabolisnl and the treatment for such condition,
 (Mrs. P. M. e.
 Arswers-If c doctor uses such terms in giving his opinion or ad- vice to q patient the patient should interrupt him. if the doctor falls to explain, and ask him what 1t means.
 Round Back
 Is there ony way one can get rid of rounded back from not stand- Ing correctly7 Can it be cured by exercise. massage or c brace or sup" porter of any kind9
 (E. L. JJ
 Answer - Round back. round shoulders, anterior -posterior post. ural deformity, weak back. spinal curvature. kyphosls are different names for the condition. Neglect of physical education in school, sil- iy wearing of high heels in girl hood, Tickets in childhood, other nutritionai deficiencies are common causes. Send ten cents and stamp cd envelope bearing your address, for booklet "V.I-T-E Spells Youth. Massage or brace or other artificial support can be of little avail 50 far as correction is concerned. Proper exercises. suited to the individual condition, contribute much to cor' rection.
 ISsovvrleHt fAAA .Iohn F. Diile Co,)