| Show Daily Health Service I I By DR l 2 MORRIS FISHBEIN The ge geography of the places In which we live constitutes a part o of our environment Not only Is the topography of the land concerned but I also the character of tin tho soil soli the tho climate climate cli cli- mate the kinds and varieties of plants plant and animals animaL that grow Man Mart is seldom satisfied with his environment and is always trying to change It to approximate It more closely to what he believes to be best Most of the experiments of man have been successful thus far since the life expectancy at birth has been steadily advanced Nevertheless men occasionally change their environment environment environment to conditions which are unsatisfactory un un- satisfactory for health and growth Our civilization has been responsible responsible sible for tor a considerable number of our Illnesses When mechanical re refrigerators refrigerators re- re were first introduced men did not count the possibility of poisoning pot pot- through release of the refrigerating crating gases When however a sufficient suf wI- number of ot cases case had occurred to demand scientific consideration steps were taken to eliminate te the use of dangerous gases gases- and to substitute lute tute some less dangerous and equally useful weful To avoid drafts people occasionally sit in crowded apartments but in the avoidance of the draft draU they also bring about greater p possibility of ot transmission sion slon of ol germs from one person to another another another an an- other and also various aches and pains due to unaccustomed postures Dr Edgar ker loss has pointed point point- ed out that differences In iii the racial composition of a a. a population the question as to how many live rural lives and how many city lives and the distance from the city are all important im important ira ira- factors factor In determining sickness sickness sick lick ness neM and death rates Everyone knows that sickness and death rates vary greatly In different parts part of the country country country coun coun- try at different times For example at one tUne tine one city may have a death rate of two per from typhoid lever fever whereas another city may have havea a death rate from typhoid fever a as high as six per Dr points poInt out th that t people In New York between the ages of 50 and 59 died from Brights Bright's dis- dis seas and nephritis at the rate of whereas In Wisconsin they died from these cases only at the rate of S SOne One of ot the most moat interesting ways In which geography affects sickness rates Is in relationship to the occurrence occurrence occurrence occur occur- rence of goiter It has been well welt established that simple goiter Is as associated associated as- as with a deficiency In the In Intake Intake intake In- In take of Iodine for tor the thc human body The chief natural source of iodine Is water A goiter map of the United States shows the greatest Incidence of goiter In the northwest and In the Great Lakes region with a relatively small incidence indeed practically none by comparison In all of ot the southern states The taking of a sufficient amount of Iodine In the food will prevent prevent prevent pre pre- vent the occurrence of simple goiter In any of these areas The common cold is ls practically unIform uniform unI- unI form in its it spread throughout the United States Then again agam the venereal venereal ve ye- disorders are arc found frequently In southern areas and In certain large cities and less frequently In rural districts ts Th These e are the reasons why the physician physician physician phy phy- finds It so necessary to determine determine determine deter deter- mine the derivation of his patient the length of ot time the patient may may have have been In the city and other factors about his environment before making a final decision as to the cause of his Illness |
