Tony Amos, age 16, of Jamestown, N.Y., for his question:

WHAT IS GERIATRICS?

Geriatrics is the branch of medicine that deals with old age and its diseases. Doctors who are involved in geriatrics diagnose and treat diseases of the aged. In order to do this, they must also understand the changes that take place in the body during middle age that may lead to diseases later in life.

One of the first geriatric clinics in the United States was established in Boston in 1940. Hospitals in many cities now have clinics for treating older persons.

The problems of aging have become increasingly important because more persons are living to old age now. Scientists in several fields work with doctors to deal with geriatric problems. Biologists doing research in gerontology study body processes involved in aging. Psychologists investigate changes in mental reactions in older persons. Sociologists study the role of an aging person in his changing world.

Medical schools today are expanding the study of old age problems and are training doctors to deal with them.

The U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare supports research dealing with aging. Foundations, insurance companies, industries, labor unions and private persons are also giving funds to study the problems of aging.