New York Clipper (Aug 1915)

Aagubt 7 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER 41 THE CLIPPER^S HEALTH DEPARTMENT QT DB. EIAJC TnOBZSK, Obleaao* Barseon-ln>Ohlef Amoilcaii Hospital: Conimltixig Snrgaon Cook Conntgr Soapital; Ceasnltiiis Snrsoon Sheridan Park Hoajtltal. Ohloaso; Sa r geo n White BAts 4ixd Aotora Fund, eto., ato. perMnallF for IndlTiaosI dUeasea Tliea« artlolea ore iTTltten ezcliulTel|r tor «!>• NEW YORIC CIiIFPEBi <liieatlona perUtlDlBg to JUsaltli, dlaemM, byilene, mU* ErsMrratlon, preveatlon ot dlMOflaa and mattera ot aeneral Intarvat > Ite&ltb wQl b* anawarcd In «IUa colamn. APPRB Sg A IjIj UTttUIRISS TO DRj MAX THOBEK, ABUSKICAK HOSFTTAlj. CHICAQO, IUjS. Wlierv apace will not permit or tlie anbjeet la not aoltalile Ibr an open answer, letters wUl be sent to tbe appUeaat Dr. Tnorali aboald not be expeoted to dlas**^' preae^lb* In tbeae colomns FACTS ORE SHOULD ENOW ABOUT THE TONSILS. Thousands of peisoDs arc asking the questions: "Should my tonsils ccme out?" "Sliall I leave tbem aloui;?" "What nre they anyhow?" "Can 1 get along aa well with them as without them?" These queries are somewhat pnzzHn^ and re- quire elucidation. There Is no doubt that the ton- sils perform an Important function—a very Im- portant function, in fact. There they are, at the portal of the respiratory apparatus, two sentries who not only look out for approaching. enemies, tbe omnipresent eerms. but actually set them, ana after nubjectinK them to a thorongh thrashing at the Instance oX the body scavengers, destroy them. From this we must conclude that they are little bodies whose functions ere for the welfare of ihe body. Besides, Nature has placed them there. There surely is .a reason. You will find lo the won- derful make-up of our bodies that everr part, every cell, every fibre plays a role In the hannonlous nctl3n of our marvelous "machinery." And. If the lon&lls were placed there, surely there Is a reason for It. It Is my opinion that If tcnslls arc In a hoalthy condition—that It. U they do not produce any In- coDveDleDco, it Is best to'leave them entlrel.v alone and not bother about them. I have no hesltamy In saying that actors and actresses, slnger<>. 9i>eak- ers. etc.. arc robbed of their tonsils when there Is often no need ot them comlnz out. i any rct>b«d, because it Is my Arm conviclTon that no organ or port of an organ In any part ot the body should be lalcen away wnm thsre Is not sufflclcnt and specific liidlca'tlon for so dolDir. nvcry physician of standing ts besieged, almost dallv, ny people who simply "want their tosslU out.'' xcu will ask, "WbyV^ and the onlv answer you wUl get Is "I don't know; I think Im better off without them." Of course there is a cloffl of physlcian-j wh'> will comply with the request of llidr patient Tbe cons-.'lcntlous man will not lis- ten to their argument of removing the tonsils, hat will convince ihcm that a l-.ealthy tonsil Is better lu than out. Tbe fact tliat a tonsil Is enlarged Is no reason for Its remov.-il. Thouaasds oC persons have enlarged tonsils and enjoy excellent health. In a discussion before the staff of iMonnt Slnal Hospital Dr. Freedman summarized his views with this sentence: "Removal of the tonsil does not remove from the body any organ or tlpsue absolutely necessary to the &}stem but If not diseased. Its removal has left the Individual with one defense less." So you see the original proposition- of "leaving well enough alone" with reference to the sormal tonsil. Is adhered to by most conBclentloup phy- sicians whose views lean toward conservatlam and prpservatton. Now <he second side of the story. There are. In- numerable persons on the other hand, whose Uve» ere rendered miserable on account of diseased con- ditii.ns of the tmsUs. Thero Is a class of rosps where, while the tonsil Is not diseased, It cnlorties to such a point that It cbsti-ucts tbe passages so that proper aeration and phonatioa become markedly impeded. Such tonsils lihould come out Then we find coses, where, on the slightest change of weather, the tonsils be- came Inflamed and incapacitate the Individual for some time. Wnat docs this mean? It abnply signifies that either the constitution is so run down generally, or the natural defensive action of the tonsil has lose Its eltirlacy to cope with tbe Invading germs. Such a case may aame times Im- Iirovc ofter the body has tK-en built up. In other r.etanres tbe i-uudlUon remains tbe aoroe, and If so, there la nothing mor.* formidable, nothing moro ttvachcroiis and crippling than .t chronlcmly In- llamed tonsil—a tonsil that oonttnuslly harbors iu- fictlc'us germs, whoiu noxious products ate ab- tiorbed Into the system. The latter class of tonsils should be gotten after and removed without hesitancy. This may Burprlse but it la the trutb, that a large majority of cases of articular rheumatism oise their exiti- ence to infected tonaiU. iMany a person carries around a crippled and leaking heart as a result ot neglect to remove Infected tonsils. Not only rheu- matism, but tuberculosis, la grippe ajai other In- fections, and even appendicitis could be directly traced In many, many cases, to have originated in Infected tonsils. . ^ , , The so-called "submerged tonsils, the little fel- lows which yon can -barely see sneakinely hiding In your throats, are often the most dangerous ones. Their crypts and pockets are frequently found to bo literally chucked with germs and toxins (poisons). ^»WU1 I lose my voice, doctor?" This question Is often asked by slngera who are to undergo an operation tor the removal of the tonsils. There seems to be a general notion among performers that the tonsils play a very Important part to the production of the voice. This Is erroneous. While It Is true that the tonsils to a certain measure modulate resonaaice. I have never seen a change in the voice after the removal ot the tonsils. On the contrary, I -found that In many cases the gen- eral qnalltles of the voice were Improved. The above quoted authority remarks. "-When an Infection enters through the tonsils there in great likelihood that the tonsils attempt to overcome the Invader, and falling in this, the next lymi>h viand in order of defense, takes up the battle. How- ever, If the tongll Is so diseased that Its ability to copfe with an- infection Is so far reduced tnat on very slight provocation It becomes Inflamed ond too ferquc'ntly In the battle between It and the In- vadlni; bacteria It becomes the loser, so that con- stitutional e.\inptoms Intervene, It Is then fair to presume that It Is no longer a sentinel but rather nn obstacle of defense, and may then actually serve as a portal of entry tor disease." There Is yt-ur argunie-tit In a Diitsbell. Toji may safely cimcriide that If a toasll is not trouble»7mn leave It alone. If diseased or frequently Inflamed, go after It and have It taken out. Good Judgment conpled with conservatism give the t>est resnlts In arriving at a conrlnslom. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. !«;AHI.I-:T PEVBU and .DBAFK£S9. MRS. J. p. C. Arlington,' la., writes: Deab Sir : Sly son haa lost his hearing after an attack ot scarlet fever.. Is there anything that caa b<< done for him? UKFLY. Ear complications nre iinlte frequent after severe attacks ot scarlet tev*r. If the dlrease hap not c(<mplctely crippled tho middle car and Its delicate bearing apparatus, some results might be expected, UEder proper care at -the proper time. On the other hand, where the tronble haa completely dls- orgiinized that part of the anditory apparatus, nc-uiing—I regret to ias —may te expected. -Vl'E.VKNES.S in LIMBS. MR. A. M.. Cambridge, 3Ia;>9.. writes: Deah Doci'OR: The fnlluwlng Is my complaint: I am suffering from an extreme weakness of my Icwer llnib.s accampunicd by pains and cmmpR. n-.dlaCIng through the thichs, downward. There Is rralstent constipation nftRmntfng -with dlarrhoRa. Lave taken hydropathic treatment without much relief. I would like to bear from you through The New YorK Ci.ippeb. What do you tbinic <s the mutter with nie. and wliat muy be done for mo? RBPI.Y. Pnlns In tbe llmtM,' rPpoclnlly If associated with bowel dtsturbonucs, may be due solely to a condi- tion ot the bowels which reflect on the Ihnbs. If I were you I would submit to a thorough physical CTRTslnaUon at tlie hands of a competent phy- sician, and ascertain what causes the dennged fonrtlon ot the bowel. Dragging palna la the llmt>3 are not at all iin-»mmon in tKmey troablea. It would t>e useless to treat yoor limbs It the primary trouble Is lu tbe bowels. A correct dlss^ nosis Is of primary Importance, and that yoa must get first. ' OIL IN THE BLOOD. E. M.. Boston, 'Mass.. writes: Deab Doctob : for some time past I have been troubled with small blisters on my bands, prin- cipally nbont the joints of the Angers and the .-ilde of the hand from the base of the little flnger to the -wrist. A colorless, oily substance Is found when the blisters are broken. I havo been Informed thit the canse Is too much oil In the blood. Is that correct? Kindly biiggest a remedy. REPXiY. The blood does not contain any oil. So you must discard the idea of oil in the blisters. Yoa have either a peculiar form of ezema ot the hands or herpes. The former Is more probable. Keep away froon irritating substances on the bands. Ke<9 your bowels active. Live on a vegetable diet, principally. Correct constipation. Anply the following powder locally, once or tvrice dally, after cleansing the hands well. (Do not use mncb water) : Salyclllc add 2 eralns Boric acid 2 Urachms Zinc oxide Hi drachms Talcum iM drachms SORE FEET. MISS M. v.. Pierce aty, iMo., writes: Deab Doctor: please tell me through the New Yens Clifpeb what I can do for sore feet I have to wear my tOioea all the time. If I wear bedrojm slippers or If I neglect to pot shoes on as soon as I get oat ot t>ed my feet -will bom and awell. When I wear low shoes my instep and aaUes awelL Beme people say I have kidney trouble. I have bad my M INERS AKEUP urine examined and it was found normal. I will appreciate your advice In tbe matter. REPLY. If your kidneys ar« normal the condition of your feet may be due to a fallen arch. If this be the case a proper arch support will cure the Temed.v. Dr. Hare, of PaUadeipbla, recommends in coses :ike yours, a tablet of one-fortieth ot a grain of arsenloos acid taken three times dally after meals. You have to get a physician's prescription for this. Try .It For bathing purposes, I would suggest »S alcohol m cold water, before retiring and after rising. Mamago the feet with oil of bcnbane for f.vc minutes morning und uigbt. I -will be pleased to know the resnlts. CLIPPER ARTICLE OX ICIDMEY TROOBl/IS. T. n. Morrlstown. N. J., writes: Dkab Doctob : I am a reader of Tm New York Clippbb, and am very Interested In the Health Department. Some weeks ago you -wrote about Brisht'e disease (acute) and yoa -were to continue In the next Clipper on the chmnle form. Your 1/Tomlsed article has not yet appeared. Would be very grateful to hear what you have to relate re- garding chronic Brlght's disease. UKPLY. There are many requnstn for irpeclal articles, and I will be pleased to comply with yours and con- tinue my diseuaslon of Brlght's disease In the next Issue ot The Clippeb. CRAMPS IN- LTHBS. DANCING VIOLINIST. New Yort, N. T.. writes: Deab Doctob : I wislh you would advise me, through The New York Clipper, to what cramps In the legs and Angers are due. Very often I get cramps in the limbs, especially at night when oaleep. They arc sometimes so Intense tbnt they waken me. in my fln^ers I get cmmp», ecpedally on the left hand, att'.>- Liylng off tor a while and then commence to play mucQ. I wlU appreciate poor reply. UEPI. Y. Cramps In the lower limbs are sometimes due to coting hP.iTy midnight lunches and then retiring This is so often the •■ase you know -with perform- era. A light hmcbeon in the early hours ot the evening and perhaps a class of milk later. If yoa stay up late, -will, I boUcve. relieve yon. Try It. C'ramps In the flngerji are often complained ot by vlollnista This, as in your case. Is due to In- a«tlvlty for a certain period, then a sudden resum^K Uon of exertion of the delicate muscles of the hand and Angers. This trouble can best be avoided by dally practice. Thj best cure I can n;commend Is an hour's dose ot "Kreutzer Etuden" cverv dav on arising, and your cntmp? wUI vanish. TVORRIEH} 9IOTRKR. MRS. J. C, Buffalo, N. Y.. writes: Deab iDoctob : My daughter la -flfteen years old, last July, and a certain change has not yet oc- curred. -Many performer friends are woriylng me, ond I really do not know what to do. I am appeal Ing to you, through your department in Tm Cup- PEB, and I will await your reply anxiously. I want you to tell me whether there is reason for me to worry or not. and what I shall give her for the condition. She ts in every -way perfectly normal; she dances some and Is well In every particular. RDPI/Y. There Is absolutely nothing to worry abont. Some girls do not reach maturity tmtll the ages ot eighteen, nineteen and some as late ai twenty- two. Since your girl la CDly flfteen yoa have abso- lutely no reason In the world to worry. Do not lend your ear to people who think ther know all abont it and la fact know very little. Do not give her any medicines, and forget all about It. As time rolls by the desired change will come. UNDER WEIGHT. •MR. R. M., JohnsonvUIe, N. Y.. writes: Dhab Doctob : I am a constant reader ot Tbb New Tobe Clippeb, and would like to ask you, through that publication, what causes one to lose weight. My usual weight Is 102, and I am now down to ir>2. I am very nervoua What causes me to lose the weight, and what can I do for it? How . k-ng wHI H take to cure me? Otberwlte I am well. REIPLY. In your case the nervous element Is responsible for tbe losa. no doubt. Have yoor urine examined. Discover the canse of your nervoasness and elimi- nate it and yoD win pick up again. It is not possl- boc to foretell how long it win take yoa to take on your original -weight. It depends entirely upon bow long It -will take to eliminate the canse re- eponslbre for the loai. PIPTY-EIGHT WEEKS FOR MARGDERITE FIELDS. Marguerite Fields, who Is one of the stars tour- ing under the management of Harry A. March. Is spending her vacation at Owasco Lake. N. Y.. after a season of fltty-elght consecutive weeks. This Is an nnusnal record, bat then Miss Fields Is on UD- oaual actress, and Ur. March an unusual manager. HARRY EARL. MANAGER. Joseph Rranakv. manager of the La BaUe Opera Honse. Chlaigo. liai reSened. He wlU enter the producing fleld. Bltrrj i^Tr) »i»pcteijf blm.