KEEPING AIRMEN FIT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 March 1940, Page 8

KEEPING AIRMEN FIT

IMPORTANCE OF MEDICINAL SUPERVISION.

The special problems of medicine in the Royal Air Force are discussed in the "Daily Telegraph" by Mr Peter Lawless, who writes:—To make a pilot takes a long time, and once fully qualified he can ill be spared. The worth of the medical officer is in preventative treatment rather than curative. He is for ever on the alert to forestall illness. stalencss and breakdown. Pilots are followed throughout their careers; the rise and drop of individuals and 'utiits are unceasingly studied in con'■..ctioii with environment and circumstances. The number of hours a man can stand without reaching exhaustion point, the question of relaxation and 'eave periods are all taken into consideration by the medical officer in his constant endeavour to keep (lying personnel in perfect mental health. The medical officer today puts a priority J value on brain and mind. The stress of '■ flying is moi with the brain and not the body. Scientifically built up. the stable aviation sense will remain, in spite? of stress, strain and exhaustion. It will bo understood, of course, that the bomber and the fighter have completely different jobs. The fighter’s Hight is of short duration and often packed with thrills. The bomber may be- Hying for anything up to seven hours. Flying today has developed < umplcxitii’.-’. which wei’e never dreamed of 25 years ago. It presents mental problems with which only the experts can deal.