HEALTH HINTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 65, 16 March 1907, Page 11

HEALTH HINTS.

APPENDICITIS AND -COOKINGS .VESSELS. Sir James Sawyer has adopted the idea that there is a direct association between enamelled cooking vessels and the increase of appendicitis. He claims in the "Lancet," that fragments of the enamel are broken off from the vessels by spoons used for stirring, and that the fragments are at least one of the causes of inflammation of the appendix. If this is the case, appendicitis is likely to continue increasing, for the advantages of enamelled vessels are so great that they are growing more and more into popular favour. If the hypothesis could be proved, or even fairly established on a definite basis, there would be reason for a crusade against the use of enamelled articles for cooking purposes, which might result in the improvement of the enamelling or the disuse of the articles, but until facts are forthcoming such a crusade seems hope--less.

ABOUT JAUSTDICE.

Jaundice may be variously caused. A common and relatively simple cause i-i that which is due to some common form of inflammation which has probably spread from the bowel upwards through the duct of the tube that leads the bile from the liver to the intestine. The inflammatian may extend to the gall bladder itself, and in this way, by interfering with the due discharge of the bile into the bowel, cause jaundice to appear. The inflammation of the bowel, which in all probability starts the trouble, may itself arise from a variety of causey. Thus, in severe indigestion, we find a likely source of this trouble; whilst what is popularly known as "chill on the liver," through exposure to cold, may have a similar effect. Very frequently this form of jaundice is found in the. colder seasons of the year, and physicians regard it as forming an ailment more likely to appear in young persons and in the old.

SOME SYMPTOMS,

The signs and symptoms of this form of jaundice begin with a pain and sense of fulness in the liver, which, it will be remembered, lies to the right side of the stomach. Pains in the back and in the lungs arc more frequently complained of. In a short time jaundice appears, the skin becoming of the familiar yellow tint common to this trouble. Constipation may exist, but more frequent the patient complains of diarrhoea. One important feature regarding this affection is that of noticing how it begins. If, for example, it begins more or less gradually, it is probable the ailment will be due to inflammation of the bowels extending upwards. If, on the other hand, we find that the jaundice appears suddenly in an otherwise healthy person, if pain be experienced in the bowels, and if vomiting also occurs, then the case is likely to be one of jaundice caused by some actual obstruction, such as a gall stone, for example, blocking up the tube leading from the gall bladder, and thus causing the obstruction through the body of the bile which is otherwise passed into the intestine. We must also keep in mind that gall stones themselves have, jaundice frequently associated with them as a symptom; while there can be no doubt that actual disease of the liver, especially when that organ is enlarged, or when some tumour of the liver exists, may also be reckoned with as conditions to be borne in mind when we have to face the question of the cause of the ailment. TREATMENT. WKk to ike imtmwt of jaiii.die-, *_-_;=. is __- complicated -*_»fct<_T n^twi^rffiif ffn'ljlii Hi ■with, respect to -fclxo ger_er___ conduct of __. case of the nature we are consider ing. Thus a dose of calomel may be administered, say two grains at night, followed hy a. dose of Apentu, -water in the mora.rig, and those who are subject to jaun—ice may "bear in nxi—d that about a drachm of Carlsbad salts dissolved in a tumbler full of warm water and slo\vly sipped on rising: each, morning may be regarded as likely to prevent an attack. In the jaundice arising from inflammation of the bowel in young persons more particularly, a couple of tabloids containing euonyniih and other substances may be taken at night, followed by the aperient water in the morning. If pain be present, the liver should be poulticed and the condition of the skin may be improved by taking hot baths, whilst an occasional Turkish bath will also be found' to aid the skin in getting rid of the extraneous products which have been thrown into it. The diet is. of course, a subject of importance in jaundice, and should include little meat of any kind, whilst white boiled fish, soups, and light puddings are to be commended. All indigestible matters, such as salt ..foods, cheese, pickles, sauce, and the like should be rigidly avoided.