The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-12-27
Your Health
 By WILLIAM BRADY, M. D.
FOLK MYTHS IN MODERN
 MEDICINE
l. Rubbers Indoors

One day said to one of my eight year old pupils (writes a school teacher) "You must take of your rubbers or you will ruin your eyes" --whereupon the class laughed mer- rily. How can it hurt your eyes to wear rubbers9" the infants ask ed. I had to admit had always heard that as youngster, but l didn't really know how to explain 1t. So, please is there any truth in it or 1t is just an an old wives tale? I promised the class to find out. (Signed--and the name is ale most identical with the name of the sainted Miss -, primary school teacher in Chapel Street, Canan- daigua, long ago.
 It pleases me no end, Teacher to know that your pupils laughed outright at that quaint myth. When I was eight years old, I remember well, the teacher brooked no non- sense about that-none of us kids ever ventured to wear rubbers in school. The teacher was vigilant in the protection of our precious eye- sight-as all parents expected her to be.
 It is indeed encouraging, in a way that find very little en- couragement, that your pupils laughed merrily at the notion that wearing rubbers has any effect on in the eyes or the eyesight. It indicates anyway-and 1t makes me feel that it is not wholely useless to go on putting my head against the stone wall of ignorance and prejudice.
 No. There is not an iota of truht in the notion that wearing rubbers indoors has any effect on eyes or eyesight,
 The very fact that you submit the question to me in behalf of your class tells me, my dear young teacher, that CD you have a fairly strong suspicion 1t is the bunk; or (2) you are the kind of teacher youngsters are lucky to have; or both.
 I'd feel honored, Teacher, if you and your class will permit me to send you, with the compliments Of the author, a complete set of Little Lessons in the Ways of Health, consisting, at last tally, of twenty five volumes - but don't let this language throw you, for you can carry o volume in your purse with out crowding out anything essen- | tial and the whole works packed for mailing will weigh less than two pounds. You will find numer- ous useful lessons in practical health education, sanitation, hygiene, diet, resuscitation, atural breathing good teeth and the like, with scien- tific information your pupils can assimilate and apply in the educa- tion of their parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, neighborS and (keep this under your hat) occasionally the leading" specialist in the community.
 The distinguished author of Nutrition and Physical Degener- | ation" (Weston A. Price, D.D.SO , which is must" reading for every dentist and as instructive as 1t is entertaining for every layman who has an intelligent interest in health, adopted a commendable plan when he published the fourth printing of the book in l945, namely, that for every copy sold he places a compli- mentary copy in a public library in the US, Canada, Australia or New Zealand. Not that have the temerity to emulate pr. Price, but in my small way I do like to in- sinuate the works of or Doc Doc Brady into school here and there when I get the chance.
 No, children, it can't affect your eyes or your eyesight if you wear rubbers indoors, but do not ad- wise wearing rubbers indoors or out doors except when such foot or leg covers,-rubbers, oversehoes, boots, waders, etc.-will keep your shoes or stockings dry. Wearing rubbers has nothing to do with health.