TALKS ON HEALTH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 3 April 1929, Page 7

TALKS ON HEALTH

BY A FAMILY DOCTOR MENTAL TREATMENT People have souls and minds and dispositions as well as bodies. It is a mistake to suppose that tho work of a doctor and of a parson is clearly marked off; every doctor should be a bit of a parson, and it is useful for a parson to know a bit about bodily complaints. So close is the' connection between the body and the soul that it is impossible to treat tiie body without having an eye to the soul residing within it. But it is necessary to find out which part of oneself is at fault—mind or body. Tho attempt to treat a physical condition, such as a broken leg or a speck in tho eye, by mental suggestion is hopeless. Any man who, finding his house on firo, starts praying instead of ringing tho fire alarm, deserves to have his house burnt down. But, given a reasonable discretion and a careful choice of the proper cases, a world of good can be done by mental treatment. Simple kindness and forbearance in a household can cure people of nervous headaches and debility. It is a thankless task trying to interfere with the internal management of another man's household, but if only the husband would be a little more thoughtful towards his wife, and the wife a little kinder to ihe kitchenmaid, and tho kitchenmaid a little kinder to the cat, what a lot of doctors' bills would be saved! A CHANGE OF HOME Lucky is the man or woman who has the hide of a rhinoceros, and can go through any sort of ill-treatment, any period of unkindness and brutal conduct and not feel it. But pity the poor sensitive woman who is tortured by unkind words and has to put up with them all day long! No wonder she begins to feel weak and to grow thin and pale. It is an interesting study in the cure of disease to see a woman blossom forth in health and beauty when her wretched husband dies. Tlie poor old doctor did his humble best with potions and lotions, and nothing did any good until the husband was out of the way. Ido not wish to imply that if any woman finds her husband a nuisance sho can be relieved of him by sending for me. But I shall order her away, politely speaking, for a change of air, when what I really mean is a change of home. I could cure many nervous women if I could persuade their men-folk to be a little moro considerate. MEDICINE FOR THE MIND ... \ Give v! the mind some healthy occupation, so that there is no time to dwell on imaginary complaints. So soon as anyone becomes idle, so surely do symptoms appear. A loafing, idle boy is improved in health if he has something to occupy himself with instead of lumping arounid with his hands in his pockets. A frivolous girl with the brain of a rabbit, because it has never been developed, is made brighter and healthier, and, consequently, more beautiful if her mind can be given something better to think about than ribbons and chocolates. SHOULD A DOCTOR TELL? It is sometimes a problem to decide whether to communicate to a patient the melancholy truth that he is suffering from cancer. My own feeling is that I should prefer to know, if I myself were the subject of a malignant growth. But [ admit the argument that if a man has twelve months to live a few of those months may be the happier fox him if he is kept in ignorance of his fate; the trnth will come upon him soon enough. SOMEBODY SHOULD KNOW It is a mistake to conceal the truth from everyone; some near relative whose discretion' can be relied on should' be told Verv important business may be seriously affected if the end is to come in a few months, and it is rather a heavy responsibility for the doctor to bear alone. It is difficult to lay down an invariable rule; each individual case must be studied; and, whichever plan is adopted, there ought to be no subseouent recriminations, and the doctor, in consultation with the relative, should be given credit for having acted for the best. RULES FOR THOSE WHO ARE TOO (1) Get up ten minutes earlier than usual and go through some simple exercises. Bend up and down and from side to side, pressing the hands well into the sides-that has the effect of rubbing and massaging the liver. (2) Drink a large tumbler of water on an empty stomach. That has the effect of washing out the stomach and cleansing it as a good start for the day. You wash your face-why not your inside? (3) Eat your breakfast verv slowly; avoid bacon that is too fat. and avoid greasy things, such as fish done in oil. (4). Keep regular habits. The human organism appreciates timekeeping. (5) Reduce the qfntity of food taken by one-third. Only one meat meal a day. (6 Attention to teeth. (7) Avoidance of aJcohoL Beer and stout are not desirable. (8) Ine dietary should include plenty of fresh fruit. X-RAYS AND THE HAIR , X-rays have the power of removing hair so as to leave the spot that was exposed quite bald. This is a yaluable form of treatment in those diseases where the root of the hair is affected. The roots are some little distance down under the level of the surface of the skin and an ointment or lotion applied to the surface does not get to the proper snot The diseased hairs must be uprooted The diseased root and all the germs attached to it are thrown in the dustbin, or, better still, burnt; and that is the end of those germs The haii' grows again. This is the best treatment for ringworm.