FOOD SHORTAGE: AN APPEAL TO PHYSICIANS

Abstract

To the Editor: —A food shortage without precedent confronts the United States. Unless there is a change for the better, the coming winter will see prohibitive high prices and consequent suffering from lack of food. The physicians of the United States, as guardians of the public health, are vitally interested because the health and the vitality of the people are at stake. It is in the power of the physicians to help relieve the food shortage by taking the lead in teaching people how to conserve the food supply. It must not be forgotten that conservation of the food supply is just as important and just as necessary as is increased production. Physicians cannot very well increase the production of foodstuffs, but on the conservation side of the problem they can be of inestimable service to the nation. It is generally recognized that people eat too much. As a nation