15 FEBRUARY 1946, Page 13

THE HEALTH OF THE NATION

SIR,—With so much talk on health questions it is strange that more prominence is not given to the prevention of disease, and that places like the Pioneer Health Centre at Peckham are not more widely publicised. We could not do better than follow the Chinese creed which is not to wait till disease has started but to prevent its coming. I know statistics give an optimistic view of the health of the British people today, but all the same I believe that in many ways we are a sick nation. I have no experience of the big cities, but in some of the country districts I have been appalled at the ignorance still displayed regarding health, and at the out-of-date measures still prevailing as regards treatment and remedy. Stomach and rheumatic disorders seem to be very much on the increase ; diet is not studied, and there is a general slackness. Now that the war is over rigid laws should he imposed for a more cleanly and hygienic

production of food, and as far as possible it should be wrapped or covered