Fbbeuaby 18, 1916] 



SCIENCE 



225 



ing line of recruits for the low-powered or 

 substandard group. Their limbs, joints and 

 muscles were made to use. These naturally 

 become soft and weak from disuse. To run 

 three blocks would doubtless give the en- 

 tire nation the "charley horse." 



As time rolls on, the seriousness of this 

 problem will increase, for the decline in our 

 physical activity is bound to continue. 

 Edison tells us invention, especially in 

 electricity, is still in its infancy in devel- 

 oping time- and labor-saving methods. 



OUE INDUSTRIAL ARMY 



When men are wanted to fight for their 

 country, the first consideration is health 

 and strength of body. The initial require- 

 ment is to undergo a physical examination 

 to determine their fitness for service. The 

 weak are separated from the strong. The 

 physically fit must do the fighting for the 

 physically impaired. 



And what of our great industrial armj'- 

 which makes the fighting army possible ? 



"We not only have the communicable and 

 occupational diseases and hazard of acci- 

 dent to combat in this group, but a marked 

 increase in mortality from diseases of the 

 heart and other important organs that bear 

 the heaviest burden of life strain. 



Based upon the experience of the Life 

 Extension Institute, it is estimated that of 

 the twenty-eight million men, age eighteen 

 to sixty, in the United States, eight million 

 five hundred thousand show evidences of 

 approaching organic disease, or already 

 have it in one or more forms. 



This can only be checked and the average 

 vitality of this group built up by teaching 

 these people, and inducing them to observe, 

 the laws of individual and household hy- 

 giene as applied to modern conditions. Is 

 it not worth while ? 



If it is so important that our fighting 

 men should be in good physical condition, 



is it not important that the great army of 

 workers upon whose physical fitness, skill 

 and loyalty the fighting army must depend 

 for existence should also be considered in 

 our plans for national defense? 



Are we to depend upon weaklings and 

 invalids alone to feed, clothe and equip the 

 army in the field, and to provide it with 

 ammunition and arms? 



Governmental sick insurance for work- 

 ers appears to be near at hand. Sick insur- 

 ance is a great need, but this is not pre- 

 vention. It is relief after the damage is 

 done. Why wait until the victim is stricken 

 with disease before teaching him how to 

 avoid it? 



It is to reduce this vast body of sub- 

 standard Americans, who are physically 

 unable to do their full share either in the 

 defense or the progress of the nation, that 

 a scientific inquiry under governmental 

 control is urged. Surely the wisdom of 

 such an inquiry should appeal to life in- 

 surance companies and industrial em- 

 ployers, as well as to our military authori- 

 ties. 



PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT 



It is gratifying to know that interest in 

 athletics and outdoor life has increased in 

 recent years. But, unfortunately, the active 

 recruits to this class have apparently not 

 increased in proportion to the gain in popu- 

 lation. 



The growing tendency toward habits of 

 physical ease is a dangerous factor in our 

 civilization. Even in our schools and col- 

 leges athletics are confined chiefly to a few 

 enthusiastic well-trained individuals. The 

 great majority of students do not take an 

 active part even in mild physical exercises. 

 Their interest is often keen, but their ath- 

 letics as a rule are confined to clapping 

 their hands and exercising their vocal cords 

 at contests where the few entertain the 

 many. Even where the best of instructors 



