Sunlight: The Health Giver

New York, New York: Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, 1920. Very good to near-fine. Some rust staining from staples.. An educational booklet issued by Met Life Insurance, educating the American public on the importance of sunlight and fresh air to overall health and well being. Highlights the importance of a "sun bath" to "make one feel and be stronger" and "relieve the congestion of the internal organs and to lower blood pressure", as well as prevent Rickets. Rickets is a childhood disease that causes bones to soften, and is usually caused by Vitamin D deficiency (hence the emphasis in this booklet on sun. baths). Interestingly, sun baths are commonly used today in some Nordic countries, where babies are left to nap outdoors for periods of time. Note the lack of emphasis on damage from UV rays in this booklet-- the danger of skin cancer from UV exposure was not yet a major concern in the medical profession. Single vol. (7.75" by 5.5"), pp. [12], in original illus. self-wrps depicting people enjoying a sunny day at the beach. The Metropolitan Life Insurance Company published dozens of public health booklets, offering advice on subjects ranging from healthy eating to the importance of vaccinating children against common diseases and safe teen driving.