The Road To Health TREASURY DEPARTMENT UNITED STATES PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE 191) GOVERNMENT PRINTINO OFFICE This pamphlet was prepared es- pecially for the information of sol- diers, sailors, marines, and nurses discharged from military duty, and is designed to help those who are ill regain health and strength and to stimulate the interest in public- health matters, awakened during their service with the military forces. The Road To Health Even while the war was claiming thou- sands of lives on the European battlefields, hundreds of thousands of lives were lost right here at home because of preventable diseases. The war is over. We have won the fight for democracy, but we have yet to win the fight against this more insidious, more permanent, and in the aggregate more direct foe of mankind disease. HOW TO PREVENT SICKNESS There is nothing mysterious about the prevention of sickness. Clean homes, clean food, clean hands, clean teeth, clean milk, pure water, fresh air, sanitary privies, war on flies and mosquitoes their cost is trifling, yet they work wonders and will prevent much sickness. Are you sure you are doing your part? Do you keep your home clean and well aired? Is your drinking water safe? If it comes from a spring or well, are you sure that no drainage from a privy, cesspool, or stable can pollute the water? 130527 19 3 Is the milk which your children drink either pasteurized or scalded? Do they each receive three glasses of milk daily? Is the baby nursed at the breast as he should be? Is he kept clean? Does he get plenty of fresh air and is he kept out of the hot, stuffy kitchen? Do you know that bottle babies should have orange juice each day after the first mpnth? Do you know .that flies and mosquitoes carry disease, and do you keep them out of your house by proper screening? Do you know that all colds are " catch- ing " and may lead to dangerous disease in others, especially children? Do you know that sickness is often spread by dirty hands? Do you always wash your hands before eating or handling food? When any of your family is ill with scar- let fever, measles, diphtheria, whooping cough, .typhoid fever, tuberculosis, or other preventable diseases, is your health officer always notified so that he can help to keep the disease from spreading to others? Is your home connected with a sewer? If not, have you a sanitary fly-proof privy? Finally, are you and your family physi- cally fit? How do you know? Have they been physically examined as the soldiers were? Do you know that yearly medical exami- nations are useful to detect early signs of illness and so prolong life? If you can an- swer " yes " to all these questions, are you certain that your neighbor can, too? Don't let his carelessness endanger your health. In this great emergency the Government looks to all of its people to give it their whole-hearted support. CORRECTING PHYSICAL DEFECTS The medical examinations for military service showed that about one-third of the men suffered from physical defects which made them unfit for active military duty. A large proportion of the defects discov- ered could have been prevented if attended to in early life; others could still be cured or relieved by proper medical attention. You will do well to read ovei the follow- ing advice carefully; it may help you to im- prove your own condition or that of your children. The time for patriotic service has not passed. The health of the youth of the Nation, indeed, of all citizens, is the great- est asset of the Nation. We must not lose the lessons of the war; we have paid too high a price for them. It is your duty to your family, to yourself, and to your country to keep well, to im- prove your health to the highest degree, to assist in making the Nation strong and fit for the great tasks ahead, and for the hap- pier and larger life that awaits the people of this war-torn world. DEFECTIVE EYESIGHT. Be sure that your vision is corrected by properly fitted glasses. Have this done by an eye special- ist, eye dispensary, or eye hospital. Do not try to fit cheap glasses to your own eyes. Eye strain from badly fitting glasses may in time seriously affect your eyesight or health. TEETH. Decayed roots, infected gums, decayed teeth, irregular teeth which can not grind may cause many forms of serious disease, and should have immediate at- tention. Get artificial teeth if the grinding teeth are missing, for if you do not prop- erly chew your food your health may suf- fer. Brush the teeth thoroughly at least twice a day. If you have aching or decayed teeth or much gold work or many fillings make sure that the roots are not diseased; have an X-ray examination made. This is especially important if you have rheuma- tism or any joint trouble, for which other 1 causes can not be found. NASAL CATARRH, ADENOIDS, EN- LARGED TONSILS, MOUTH BREATH- ING. This condition very commonly de- velops in childhood and demands careful attention on the part of parents. When properly treated, in some instances by a simple operation, it is often a curable con- dition. When left untreated it may lead to deformity of the mouth and nose, to poor development of the chest, and to permanent weakness. FEET. Aside from paralysis, clubfoot, or deformities resulting from injuries, etc., most foot troubles are due to improperly fitting shoes, improper position in walking or standing, lack of exercise, and weakness of the muscles in the forepart of the leg that support the arch of the foot. Prop- erly fitting shoes of correct shape with a straight inner edge will help to correct weakfoot, bunions, corns, callouses, and painful joints. Exercise the toe muscles by working the toes up and down over the edge of a thick board 30 times daily. Stand with feet par- allel and somewhat apart with great toes ^firmly gripping the ground. Without bend- ing the knees or moving the feet rotate the thighs outward repeatedly. This is chiefly done by strong contraction of the great muscles of the back of the thigh and seat. Improve your general health; take general exercise to strengthen your body. Bathe the feet daily. See a surgeon if these simple measures are not sufficienV The arches found in the shops will not correct flatfoot. They merely act as crutches. Hammertoe, bunion, and many other de- fects can be corrected by a surgeon. Pain- ful feet may be due lo infection in tooth sockets or tonsils; search for such condi- tions should be made. Mere flatness of the foot without pain or other deformity may be of no importance. UNDERWEIGHT. Underweight is often due to irregular habits of eating and sleep- ing and lack of regular exercise. Have a thorough examination at intervals by a competent physician, or in a dispensary or clinic, to determine whether or not any serious disease exists (especially hook- 8 . worm or tuberculosis). Eat freely of fat- forming foods mentioned in next para- graph. OVERWEIGHT. Secure as much regu- lar exercise as possible. Be thoroughly ex- amined for evidence of disease. Extreme overweight, especially at middle life, pro- duces as high a death rate as heart disease. Cut down the fat-forming foods, such as bread, butter, cereals, sugars, fats, and sub- stitute more green vegetables and fruits. HERNIA OR RUPTURE. Operation is often advisable. Consult your family phy- sician or go to a good hospital for advice and treatment. PILES, HEMORRHOIDS. These are often caused by constipation and lack of exercise. Do not make a habit of using drugs or purgatives. Plenty of bulky food, bran bread or .biscuits, fruits, lettuce, spin- ach, cabbage, brussels sprouts, carrots, tur- nips, celery, tomatoes, salsify, onions, par- snips, and oyster plant will tend to correct constipation. If piles are severe, operation will help, but the original cause should be removed by proper diet. VARICOSE VEINS. This condition may be relieved by the use of woven elastic bandages or stockings. At times one may consider removal by operation. (Great caution is necessary; consult your family physician.) BLADDER, KIDNEY, URINARY TROUBLES. Go to your physician or to a dispensary or hospital and place yourself under careful medical supervision. Regu- lation of your diet, work, and activities may be all that is necessary, but your condition should be watched from time to time. Al- bumin in the urine may be temporary, but should always be followed up and exami- nation made at intervals. Give the benefit of the doubt to your kidneys, and live a temperate and healthful life, avoiding alco- holic stimulants, excess of meat, and over- eating generally. Be examined periodi- cally. Sugar in the urine calls for careful medical supervision and regulation of diet and periodic examination by a physician. DISCHARGE FROM EAR, EAR TROUBLE. See an ear specialist or go to an ear clinic. Do not neglect such a condi- tion, which may infect other parts of your body. 10 HEART MURMURS, HEART AFFEC- TIONS. A person with an imperfect heart may not be fit for hard physical labor, but with proper regulation of diet, exercise, work, and rest his heart may carry him to old age. If you have heart trouble avoid stimulants and tobacco, be very temperate in the use of tea and coffee, avoid excesses of all kinds; eat moderately; avoid heavy meals at night; get plenty of fresh air; ex- ercise daily in the open, but be careful not to overfatigue your heart or circulation; walking and gentle hill-climbing are good, but never when they cause pain in the chest or shortness of breath. Avoid dissipation and undue excitement. If there is breath- lessness, dropsy, or dizziness, careful med- ical supervision is necessary. All damaged hearts should be examined at least once a year by a physician and the condition noted. Irregular action of heart in some cases is of little importance; in others it is serious, and medical observation is impor- tant to settle this. HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE. This may be temporary, but should be watched and life regulated as above, especially avoiding physical and mental overstrain and dissi- 11 pation. Avoid stimulants, tobacco, and overeating. LUNG TROUBLES. Where there is sus- pected tuberculosis consult a competent physician and follow orders strictly. The basis of treatment is abundant fresh air and nourishing diet, such as bread and but- ter, cereals, and fats, but do not neglect green vegetables and fruits. Avoid alcohol and tobacco. Do not take patent medicines or advertised remedies, or patronize ad- vertising quacks. Avoid fatigue or physi- cal and mental strain. Do not take any chances. Report to the health officer or health department of your district. They will be glad to counsel you. RHEUMATISM. This may be caused by infection in tonsils, teeth, nasal cavities, or elsewhere. Liniment will not cure it. Be examined by a physician and dentist, and if possible have the infection removed. DISEASE OF SEX ORGANS. Thor- ough-going persistent treatment is neces- sary for your protection and for the pro- tection of the members of your family as well as that of your community. In large cities, clinics for the treatment of these dis- eases are available for those without funds. 12 ALCOHOL. Alcohol as ordinarily taken is not a stimulant but a depressing drug. Your brain and nervous system govern your body. Not only does alcohol reduce working efficiency, but life-insurance ex- perience has shown that the death rate among steady drinkers supposed to be tem- perate even within the bounds of so-called moderation is nearly double that among average people. Drink is apt to lead you into trouble, possibly to a miserable death. NERVOUS AND MENTAL DISEASES. Such conditions should be closely observed by your physician or at some clinic for nervous diseases. Some nervous diseases are due to bad mental habits, to fear, fail- ure .to take courageous grip on life and for- get one's troubles. Many nervous diseases are caused by physical conditions, which should be sought for and cured by a thor- ough medical examination and treatment MISCELLANEOUS CONDITIONS. Nose and throat trouble, gall-bladder trouble, chronic appendicitis, skin affections all such conditions should have immediate medical investigation. If you have no fam- ily physician, or if your means are limited, seek hospital or dispensary treatment 13 Do not go through life with handicaps that may be easily removed. Do not shorten your life or reduce your earning power or your capacity for enjoying life by neglecting your bodily condition. AVERAGE HEIGHT, WEIGHT, AND AGE FOR MEN AND WOMEN. (For a man add 2 pounds to the average; for a woman, subtract 2 pounds. (If you are more than 25 pounds below the average for your height and age, you are thin and probably undernourished. Ages 15-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 53-60 Feet Inches 5 120 125 128 131 133 134 134 134 5 1 122 126 129 131 134 136 136 136 5 2 124 128 131 133 136 138 138 138 5 3 127 131 134 136 139 141 141 141 5 4 131 135 138 140 143 144 145 145 5 5 134 138 141 143 146 147 149 149 5 6 138 142 145 147 150 151 153 153 5 7 142 147 150 152 155 156 158 158 5 8 146 151 154 157 160 161 163 163 5 9 150 155 159 162 165 166 167 168 5 10 154 159 164 167 170 171 172 173 5 11 159 164 169 173 175 177 177 178 6 165 170 175 179 180 183 182 183 6 1 170 177 181 185 186 189 188 189 6 2 176 184 188 193 194 196 194 194 6 3 181 190 195 200 203 204 201 198 I leS Of H A 001 293 354" jyentilate every room you occupy. r ear loose, porous clothing suited to weather, and occupation. 3. If you are an indoor worker, be sure to get recreation outdoors. 4. Sleep in fresh air always; in the open if you can. 5. Hold a handkerchief before your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze and insist that others do so too. 6. Always wash the hands before eating. 7. Do not overeat. This applies espe- cially to meats and eggs. 8. Eat some hard and some bulky foods; some fruits. 9. Eat slowly chew thoroughly. 10. Drink sufficient water daily. 11. Evacuate thoroughly, regularly. 12. Stand, sit, and walk erect. 13. Do not allow poisons and infections to enter the body. 14. Keep the teeth, gums, and tongue clean. 15 15. Work, play, rest, and sleep in mod- eration. 10. 16. Keep serene. Worry is the foiling health. Cultivate the companionshg life your fellow men. 17. Avoid self drugging. Beware __ . plausible humbug of the patent medicine faker. 18. Have your doctor examine you care- fully once a year. Also consult your dentist at regular intervals. For other instructive Health Leaflets write to the UNITED STATES PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE WASHINGTON, D. C.