Medicine: Capsules, Feb. 9, 1953

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¶ Urging government subsidies to boost the output of psychiatrists, Catholic University's Msgr. Maurice Sheehy declared: "Some day I hope to see a psychiatrist formally canonized by the church, to do away with idle gossip about conflict between learnings which have as their end the welfare of man and the kingdom of God. The priest and the psychiatrist should work shoulder to shoulder."

¶ To their guest's great surprise, civic leaders of Taylor (pop. 9,000) in central Texas' cotton belt, invited Dr. James Lee Dickey to dinner at the country club, named him the town's outstanding citizen of 1952. Practicing there 31 years. Dr. Dickey did much to clean up a typhoid-breeding open sewer and replace a shanty slum with model housing. Reason for his surprise at the honor: he is a Negro.

¶Sleeping two in a bed is bad for children, doctors reported to the British Ministry of Health. At six, bed-sharers weigh about two pounds less than single sleepers; at 14 the difference is nearly twelve pounds. And, they say, it has nothing to do with social level or diet.

¶In Chicago, Mrs. Margaret Schmidt, 38, won a trophy for having lost more weight in 1952 than any other member of TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly). The organization has 2,500 members (all women) in nine states. Chapter members meet once a week to weigh in (they pay fines if they have gained), maybe hear a doctor or nurse give helpful hints. They reduce only under doctor's orders. As a member of a Milwaukee chapter, Mrs. Schmidt, 5 ft. 3 in., had lost an even 100 lbs., was down to 171 Ibs.