Page ll.

If, however, — after a period of stability in weight - a boy steadily loses, does
not gain overnight what he lost the day before, chronic fatigue is evidenced, and
rest should be insisted upon.

Next, we must consider the possibility of tuberculosis. While active tuberculosis
is not common at the high school age or even in the college age, the increase in
infection from tuberculosis at this time pushes up the death rate from this
disease to such an extent that in early adult life it is the leading cause of
death, Healed lesions - or incipient ones - often unknown, are activated by too
great physical and mental stress, As a precaution, therefore, all candidates
should be given a tuberculin test, and those reacting positively should have an
x-ray film taken, Many of us know of cases of prominent athletes suddenly break-
ing from the effects of active tuberculosis.

To indicate that such a procedure is not impossible, the following is quoted from
the 1939 Annual Report, Department of Whitefish Bay, Milwaukee, Wisconsin:

"For several years this department has been giving special attention to the
examination of high school athletes and football players engaged in competitive
sports. A urine examination, heart function test, blood pressure and an
examination for hernia or rupture is included."

To give all these tests may seem like over-fussiness. Whether we think so de-
pends on our sense of responsibility. How much is the value of the life long \\
health, or of the life itself of a boy? The Chinese philosopher T!'ao puts it \\
aptly, "Treat him well, for he is also someone's son",