Thompson : The Cardiac Case 



43 



Something very important, however, might be done by a law- 

 making body of the community. This would make up for the 

 former neglect and make the lives of the physically handicapped 

 less a burden to themselves and friends. All such work with 

 individuals, if it is to bear full fruit, must result in time in some 

 form of legislation. Just what this should be no one positively 

 knows. 



Some general attention of the employers, too, should be given 

 to the physical well-being of the employees. Some laboring men 

 object to physical examination for fear they will be thrown out 

 of their chosen line of work, but they should be made to see that 

 a little care now may save years of suffering and unemployment 

 later. While a man is earning the most money is the time to 

 begin to save for the time when his earning capacity is less and 

 needs are greater. Few will save unless compelled to do so. 

 They should be forced to this, however, by the community, for 

 it must bear the burden when poverty comes. By making some 

 provision for this class to care for themselves, the great number 

 that now become helpless and poverty-stricken in later life 

 because of cardiac disease would be greatly reduced. For. as 

 Henry \Tard Beecher has said, "Poverty is very good in poems, 

 but very bad in the house : very good in maxims and sermons, 

 but very bad in practical life.'' 



