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 discovered 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 over the following advice carefully; it may help you to improve 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 greatest 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 improve your health to the highest degree, to assist in making the Nation strong and fit for the great tasks ahead, and for the happier 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 specialist, 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 cannot grind may cause many forms of serious disease, and should have immediate attention. Get artificial teeth if the grinding teeth are missing, for if you do not properly chew your food your health may suffer. 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 rheumatism or any joint trouble, for which other causes cannot be found.

NASAL CATARRH, ADENOIDS, ENLARGED TONSILS, MOUTH BREATHING—This condition very commonly develops 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 condition. 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. Properly 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 parallel and somewhat apart with great toes firmly gripping the ground. Without bending 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 sufficient. The arches found in the shops will not correct flatfoot. They merely act as crutches. Hammertoe, bunion, and many other defects can be corrected by a surgeon. Painful feet may be due to infection in tooth sockets or tonsils; search for such conditions should be made. Mere flatness of the foot without pain or other deformity may be of no importance.

Jason Ladock

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