CHAPTER XXXVII 



HOW TO KEEP WELL 



Our health is a matter of concern not only to ourselves 

 and our home folks but to our community and to the 

 nation. The prosperity, the strength and the happiness 

 of the nation are materially affected by the health of its 

 citizens. 



As population grows it becomes more difficult to guard 

 against disease. Some unhealthy person, through careless- 

 ness or indifference, may make many others sick. One un- 

 sanitary condition may cause an epidemic to sweep like 

 an attacking army through a community. 



For the good of all, our local and national governments 

 and other public agencies, more and more, are coming to 

 our aid to safeguard our water supply, to control the dis- 

 posal of waste matter, to keep our food supply pure, and 

 to guard us from disease. It is a matter of good citizen- 

 ship to cooperate loyally with the government in observ- 

 ing health regulations. 



One of the most significant and important characteristics of 

 the present age is the great effort made for the conservation and 

 lengthening of human life by the prevention of disease. In 

 accordance with the old adage, "An ounce of prevention is worth a 

 pound of cure," there is a growing tendency for families, schools, 

 business firms, and other associations to employ physicians for the 

 purpose of preventing as well as curing disease. A great health 

 movement is extending over the world, in which the preventive 

 methods in dealing with disease are gradually being recognized. 



Among the steps taken are the control of germs and harmful 

 parasitic organisms ; the provision for an abundance of fresh air 

 and pure water; plenty of exercise; the insistence on the sale of 

 clean milk, approved meat, and pure foods of all kinds; medical 

 inspection and the employment of trained nurses in the schools; 

 adequate attention to the disposal of sewage ; greater emphasis on 

 industrial hygiene; the world-wide movement against the use of 



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