| Show Health Protect Public Vigilante in the modern modem sense might be used to identify the public public pub pub- lic lie health officers state local and national who stand guard between the people and the enemies of health These vigilantes include not only officers of the thc Public Health Services but of the Food and Drug Administration the National National National Na Na- Cancer Institute and dozens dozens dozens doz doz- ens of other official cial and private medical health and research organizations organizations organizations or or- whose responsibility is to serve and protect you The vigilance of oC some of these agencies their technicians and en enforcement enforcement enforcement officers help protect us from contagious disease and andas as a result of immunization medical medical med med- ical detection and improved sanitation sanitation san san- many of oC the ancient killers killers kill kill- ers virtually have disappeared We are however ever threatened with witha a whole new set of health hazards such as occupational diseases pd pol polluted polluted water and atomic out fall which we ourselves have created as part of our modern modem environ environ- ment meat These are more difficult to control than the older well well- known diseases because our environment en en- and our habits are changing so rapidly How can scientific protection keep pace with the hazards incident to hue progress Take the case of cancer Malignant growths arc are probably probably probably ably as old as man but there is mounting evidence that at least some cancers in some organs of the body are arc caused by foreign substances related to modem modern usages and industrial hazards For example without the application cation of known safety measures the dust breathed by uranium miners and md other workers results in a higher than normal incidence of lung cancer Millions 1 of oC dollars have been spent by government I and private institution including the tobacco companies to determine determine determine deter deter- mine if t tobacco causes lung cancer cancer cancer can can- and if so so why Out of or this research will come controls or improved products to remove remo or lesson the danger The whole field of oC food adulteration adulteration adulteration food additives and supplements supple supple- ments presents a constant lem Every such item must be carefully screened to protect us against dangers This need is intensified intensified in in- by the many new products products prod prod- nets appearing on the market and the ignorance carelessness or haste of some producers Also through constant research and increased in in- creased knowledge some sonic ingredient ingredients ingred ingred- formerly thought harless or even beneficial arc are now found to lo lobe tobe tobe be deleterious while new ones arc are invented or discovered to lo serve better the requirements irem of modern diet as well as production and distribution For example sassafras tea was for Cor man many of us grandmothers grandmother's spring tonic and remedy for minor ailments as well as a pleasant pleasant pleasant pleas pleas- ant beverage Yet recently a apanel apanel apanel panel of distinguished representing the U. U S S. Public Health Service the Food and and Drug Administration the National Nation Nation- al Cancer Institute lite U. U S. S Department Department De De- of oC Agriculture and the thc non government National Academy Academy Acad Acad- emy of Sciences found that Oil on of oC Sassafras or 01 SaCral is possibly a minor cause of or cancer can can- of the liver While there is no conclusive evidence of or the result with humans the essence unquestionably unquestionably unquestionably caused liver cancer cancel in female rates and in dogs The Food and Drug Administration tion ordered on December 5 1960 that Oil of Sassafras could NOT be used henceforth in any food or beverage in the United States States- It ItIs ItIs ItIs Is a measure of the cooperation of oC the Food Industry that all man of oC soft drinks in which sassafras was used for flavoring had discontinued its use merely on suspicion prior prim to the issuance of the order While the tho organized ethical food and amid drug ug industry is thus thusA A in large measure self policing because because be be- cause of the high standards that have proved profitable as well as protective the American public is still victimized and endangered by many crooks and quacks who prey upon the gullible and those needing medical attention who think they cannot afford a doctor The American fed l Medical cal Association Association tion estimates that the vitamin mineral food supplement and other rackets not to be confused with the legitimate professional distribution of accredited products products products prod prod- costs the American people more than per year year year- and causes untold suffering and death on the part parl of oC those who follow the tha advice of oC unprincipled quacks and fakers when they need urgent medical or surgical aid tide IIo How can the people find rind protection protection protection pro pro- when the advertising of or orthe the the pseudo sc scientists en lists is so sounding professional so convincing Here are a few tips lips 1 Dont Don't rely on what the vendor yen ven dor dOl or the advertising says says read i cad the tha label What IT says about a product sold interstate is controlled controlled con can trolled by Federal law 2 Buy foods and drugs from om reputable outlets Be lIe particularly careful in dealing with mail or I door to d distributors Read and question mail advertising which doesn't come from reliable firms of your community 3 When in doubt ask your docI doctor doctor doc doe I tor your local public health officer officer of or ricer or nurse a professional nu nutritionist pu- pu lU- lU or an agricultural cultural extension extension extension exten exten- sion home economist or write the director of your State Department Depart Depart- meat ment of oC Health 4 4 If you ou think you need heed special diet or supplements dont don't take the word of Aunt Emily the current current current cur cur- rent seller best-seller or a faddist see a doctor TIle The law and the research and professional proCessional opinion behind it and the official and pro- pro vate educational facilities which interpret it it is your best tion lion It works for Cor you ou all the time Among others the law protected protected pro pro- you against |
