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From The Militant, Vol. 12 No. 22, 31 May 1948, p. 4.
Transcribed & marked up by Einde O’ Callaghan for the Encyclopaedia of Trotskyism On-Line (ETOL).
Most, well-to-do ulcer patients like to think that their stomach trouble has been caused by their extreme sensitivity. It is hard for them to believe that, workers could be “sensitive” enough to have stomach ulcers. But, contrary to the fond belief of the few wealthy sufferers from this stomach disorder, the big majority of ulcer patients are workers – poor workers, overworked and underpaid.
So eminent an authority on stomach and intestinal disorders as Dr. Walter Alvarez of the Mayo Clinic told a meeting of the International Medical Assembly that if the average man with stomach ulcers were left an income of $250 per month for the rest of his life, he would soon be cured and would never have ulcers again. Practically all ulcer cases are brought on by fear, frustration, worry, anger, nervous and mental exhaustion, Dr. Alvarez declared. These, in turn, he went on to say, are chiefly due to the tremendous speed-up of modern industry and to the terrifying problems with which American workers are confronted.
And when a worker does develop a stomach ulcer, what happens? Usually, he doesn’t go to the doctor until the pain in his stomach is very severe and begins to sap his energy. After the stomach ulcer has been discovered, his doctor will give him a diet list, in which milk, cream, eggs and lean meats predominate. The doctor will also urge the ulcer victim to avoid overwork; not to eat when he is worried, tired, hurried nervous or angry. Above all, the doctor will impress the patient with the importance of getting enough rest, particularly after meals.
How can the average worker get enough milk, cream, eggs and lean meats into the family menu at today’s inflated prices? And, if he needs extra money to buy these expensive foods, how can he avoid overwork? With the short lunch hours allowed to working people, how can he keep from eating when he feels “hurried”? Where can he find a foreman, who will let him rest after each meal?
Doctors are in agreement that the typical stomach ulcer patient is an intense, conscientious, hard-working individual, whose stomach attacks have been brought on by excesses of worry and work. Such a “worrier” will find plenty more to worry about in trying to find a way to follow his doctor’s orders.
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Last updated: 30 January 2022