Evening star., 1947-09-15
At Our Nutriti0nal Crossroads
Depleted Soil Seen as Major Problem in Relation
to Sustenance of Millions
By DR.. Daniel l.. Seckinser

Human erosion follows soil erosion and lesds
to still more neglect of the soil. Classic ex-
amples are the formerly rich regions of the
ancient world Asia Minor at the opening OF
the Christian era supported population many
times as large and infinitely more vigorous
than the sickly peoples which now inhabit it
The one-time fertile plains of northern Africa
where mighty Carthage grew to threaten Rome
are largely waste lands now, with the natives
among the more degenerate of the peoples of
the world. Greece, italy and Spain have like
wise lost out in the march of time, owing
mainly to the poverty of the masses of their
people who depend on livings scratched from
soils depleted long ago"
What are the depleted or deficient elements
which cause man and animals to become
nutritionally hungry on diets that may be
ample in quantity? The soil is composed Of
certain elements which are found in the human
body and the body Is dependent upon the
soil to furnish these elements in ample amounts
for growth and the maintenance of health,
otherwise deficiencies and deficiency diseases
occur.
The six pounds of minerals from the soil in
The body of man weighing $50 pounds are
just as essential to life as the LA pounds of
chemical elements from the air and water
They include the mineral elements which
distinguish the bodybuilding and repairing
foods from the purely energy foods. The ability
of the human machine to withstand the
stresses and strains and abuses its operation
entails, depends upon the supply of these
minerals.
Minerals Plus Plants Equal Man.
Our man of $50 pounds obtained his weight
of chemicals from the air and by consuming
animals and plants. The nutritional value to
him of the animal depends upon the chemical
content of the plants consumed by the animal
and the nutritional value of the plants con-
sumed by the animal and directly by man
depends on the mineral elements the soil
yields to the plants. The chief dependency is
upon the soil. rather than upon the air and
water, because the elements from the air and
water are inexhaustible, while those from the
soil are easily exhauStible, and all too fire.
quently are exhausted.
To the men who follow in the footsteps OF
Hippocrates, Sydenham, Pasteur, Osler and
Welsh the challenge of degenerative disease
partially brought on by civilization itself, rep
resents medical challenge comparable If not
greater than that of the communicable diseases
half century ago.
Our civilization or way of life is at the nutri-
tional crossroads. The back-to-the soil move
ment scientifically is a must that impels ac-
complishment during this generation; 1t must
begin in the laboratory and end at every farm
and hillside throughout the land il we are to
maintain national solidarity and preserve the
heritage of our civilization. Fortunately for us
all, the national plan to spend billions for the
training of scientists and for research provided
at least part Of it can be spent to improve
our national health from the ground up, is re-
assuring. However, those who plan and direct
the spending OF money on the national and
State levels may not know of the danger that
turks within our nutritional life, and unless
we resolve here and now to inform them, much
valuable time will be lost and the spending of
money diverted elsewhere.
Fortunately for us in the Potomac River
Commission, we are joining with those who
are engaged with agricultural pursuits and the
Potomac watershed itself may serve as q labor
atory where more and more knowledge may
be obtained which in turn may be taught to
our farmers and in our schools and colleges.
AS chairman Of q committee of one to look
into our .nutritional deficiencies a result Of
erosion and, even more important to us here
today, as chairman of a committee to 60 into
the matter of joining hands with men of science
in agriculture, I am happy to report to you,
Consummatum est! 1t is finished, and yet we
are only beginning! To use the famous words
of Benjamin Franklin so often quoted in times
of crisis: Il see before me the emblem of the
sun. Depending upon what we shall do here
today, that sun Is either rising or setting
These words are just prophetic for our
Nation today as they were in his day, but We
may not fear the result If we protect ourselves
against the dangers that lurk from within as
we'll as from without.