Kelp-Fed Cows

Iodine in large doses is deadly, in small doses, beneficial. Milk contains a small percentage of iodine. When that percentage is lacking, human health sometimes suffers as a consequence. There are regions of the country in which the absence of iodine in salt, soil, water and milk explains the prevalence there of goitre. The country about Lake Michigan is one of these areas.

Within this region, on the Rock River estate of Mrs. Ruth Hanna McCormick, Republican nominee for Illinois Congress-man-at-large, her Holstein herd graze. Prof. George W. Cavanaugh of Cornell University secured permission to subject those Rock River cows to an experimental diet. Since July11 they have become epicures among cows, familiar with rare seasoning. Their ordinary feed has been powdered with seaweed rich in iodine.

Result: the milk from the specially treated cattle formerly free of iodine, revealed 306 parts of iodine in a million, more than enough to prevent goitre, possibly enough to cure it. The milk retained its natural flavor and food quality.

New York recently arrested several dozen chasers and their lawyer employers. But the arrests did not improve conditions. The State Supreme Court decided to see what might be done. It appointed one of its justices, Isidor Wasservogel, to investigate and make recommendations. Last week he did so, recommending that 74 members of the New York bar be disciplined. Summarized, his cogent suggestions were:

Lawyers should get no more than one third of personal injury damages won. (Usually they demand one half.)

The court should supervise the fee. The court should know just how the lawyer got his case. (Ethically the client should go to the lawyer, not the lawyer chase the client.)

To eliminate false claims, the court should verify the complaint, the bill of particulars and the defendant's answer.

Perjury should be made a misdemeanor instead of a felony to insure more convictions.

Lawyers should pay over moneys collected for clients within ten days after receipt.

Lawyers should preserve papers and records for five years.

Excluded from evidence should be all statements taken from injured persons by insurance company investigators while in a hospital, or within 15 days after an accident.

Compensation insurance should be established for persons injured in automobile accidents.

The court should closely supervise the interests of minor plaintiffs.

Physicians who offend ethics by close co-operation with ambulance chasing lawyers should have their licenses revoked.