W. H. SEBRELL 



The organization of the Nutrition Foundation represents the far- 

 sighted viewpoint of these industries, which reaHze that the closer we 

 approach dietary adequacy for everyone the sounder the basis for their 

 business, a viewpoint shown also in a change in much of the food 

 advertising, which is now frequently directed at the general field of 

 improved nutrition. The leaders in this field are not only promoting 

 the best interests of their business but also contributing to the welfare 

 of the country. The scientist can do much to direct this great public 

 educational force along sound lines. If the results of research in 

 nutrition are to be of public use and benefit, the scientist must come out 

 of his laboratory and assist in their application. He cannot, like a 

 famous mathematician, hope that his research will be useless so that 

 he can work without distraction. 



In the field of medical science, the biochemist has given the 

 physician new and valuable methods in the diagnosis of nutritional 

 failure; but, because of difficulties in the interpretation of clinical 

 signs of early deficiencies, a controversy continues as to the extent and 

 importance of deficiency diseases in this country. We still need better 

 methods of diagnosis to enable us to recognize the earliest manifesta- 

 tions of nutritional deficiencies. 



There has been a rapidly growing recognition that adequate 

 nutrition is of great importance in convalescence from any disease, 

 and that nutritional deficiencies frequently occur as complications of 

 many unrelated diseases, especially where there has been marked loss 

 of appetite, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, disturbed metabolism, etc. 

 With the increased awareness of the importance of adequate nutrition 

 in medicine and the growing complexity of the subject, we now see 

 medical and public health schools teaching nutrition as a part of clinical 

 and preventive medicine, as well as of biochemistry and physiology. 

 There is reason to hope that, in a few years, our need for physicians 

 well grounded in the subject will be met. 



The lack of statistics on the distribution and prevalence of the 

 deficiency diseases makes it exceedingly difficult for the public health 

 officer to attack the problem effectively from the viewpoint of pre- 

 ventive medicine, although here we find an active interest being taken 

 and a start being made. Many health officers now see that the pre- 

 vention of malnutrition is part of their obligation to provide an oppor- 

 tunity to attain the best degree of health. This aspect of nutrition 



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