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Show Periodic Physical Examination Helps Keep Individual Healthy v AN OUNCE of prevention through a periodic physical check-up is better than a pound of cure, and is the best way to sound health and peace of mind. Preventive medicine offers the best means of adding years to life and life to years, Dr. Lewis J. Burch, of Mt. Pleasant, Mich., wrote in a recent Today's Health, published by the American Medical Association. Immunization is accepted almost universally and has proved successful success-ful as preventive medicine; the periodic health examination is another an-other such effective weapon for safeguarding health, he stated, adding: add-ing: "Most of us get used to feeling the way we feel each day. We carelessly care-lessly disregard those little danger signals that warn of impending trouble. Or we dose ourselves with all kinds of nostrums in an effort to cure or mask the symptoms that annoy us. Sometimes, too late, we find that the little danger has become be-come a big danger." Physical check-ups, according to Dr. Burch, should be obtained by those between the ages of 19 and 33 years every two yean, by those 33 to 60 annually, and by those over 00 every six months. However, some individuals may require more frequent examinations, which can be determined by a physician. Many diseases, such as cancer, tuberculosis and those of the heart blood vessels and kidneys, would not cause so many deaths In early life if they were diagnosed and treated In the Initial stages. Dr. Burch pointed out. One doctor has estimated that each year thousands thou-sands of Americans would have lived longer If they had known they needed help, or had sought It In time, he added. The basic physical examination. Dr. Burch stated, should Include the entire body: all body openings, the pelvic region, abdomen, breasts, chest, heart skin. Joints, muscles, nerve reactions and blood pressure. Basic laboratory tests that should be made Include a urinalysis, blood count stained smears and serologic testa for syphilis. |