TALKS ON HEALTH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 21 June 1932, Page 7

TALKS ON HEALTH

BY A FAMILY DOCTOR SWOLLEN GLANDS There is a chain of glands, called lymphatic glands, running down each side of the neck. They perform a useful purpose in preventing harmful germs from finding their way into the system. These glands are a common seat of disease, and as most people have to deal with cases of swollen glands at one time or another, readers of this column may lie glad of a little information about them. Sonic of these little glands are situated just behind the ear, others under the jaw-bone, and the rest further down in the neck. In children the commonest cause for swelling of these glands is tuberculosis. It does not necessarily mean that the child ip consumptive; hundreds of them completely recover from tlie enlargement of the glands, and are never troubled again in their whole lives. The germs which cause the enlargement are tlie same as those which cause consumption of the lungs, and they find their wav into tlie neck through tlie mouth. They float in the air, are taken into' the mouth with the breath, and fasten on any part of the mouth that is not healthy. A healthy mouth offers no means of entry, and the germs are foiled again. But supposing there are five or six rotten tooth-sockets, or ulceration of the gums around a foul tooth, then the germ rejoices and easily finds its wav into the neck through these portals. Enlarged tonsils are a common source of trouble in producing enlarged glands; the germs live in the tonsil, and then are carried into the neck along minute canals called the lymphatic vessels. HOW TO FIGHT GERAIS

In the treatment of these enlargements of the neck the first essential is to gee that tlie mouth is in perfect order. It is a mistake to think that the first set of teeth need no eaio, as they will soon fall out. No part of the body can bo neglected without disaster following. Then the whole treatment is a question of building up the child. It is the vital, it v of the body against the vitality of the germs. “Bull baker! Pull Devil!” If tlie germs win tlie glands become enormous in size, and finally turn to an abscess, and an operation is necessary. The ugly scars that one often sees on the necks of the people one passes in the street are all proofs that, at one time the germs had gained the upper hand, and that they were only defeated after an operation. In order to strengthen tlie forces that are arrayed against tlie tubercle bacilli, the child must have good food, fresh air, sleep and exercise. Milk and cod-liver oil are the best foods; and the fresh air that cannot he obtained in the cities must be sought at the seaside or up in the hills. Tlie con Laminated air of the slums is the best friend and ally that the disease germs can have. FLAT-FOOT

Flat-foot may effect anyone from babyhood to advanced years. Babies’, feet sometimes turn in at the anklejoint, and the condition grows worse when they begin to walk. It can he remedied by having a piece of leather put on the sole of the shoe, along the inner side only, so as to throw the ankle outwards, instead of inwards. A few weeks will make a great difference, and the shoe may he soled in the ordinary way when the foot is straight. Flat-foot may appear in an adolescent at the age of fifteen or sixteen. At this ago a great strain is placed on the general system, as. the growth is so rapid; ancl.it is often at this, age that the lad undertakes some heavy job, perhaps necessitating standing long hours or carrying heavy weights. The strain cm the arch of the foot is too much; the ligament give way, and the foot becomes flat. At the same time there may lie other evidence that the hones and ligaments are being overstrained. The spine may begin to bend; the lad may become knock-kneed, and he may he pale and anaemic. He may have to work in a basement where the sun never penetrates. It is difficult to cure these eases of flat-foot unless the cause that produced the condition can be removed. Good food, regular meals, able exercise are wanted hut cannot always lie obtained. METHODS OF TREATMENT

The next class of man who gets flatfooted is the man who has reached the age of forty and whose bones and ligaments are just- beginning to lose their elasticity. Long standing, such as policemen have to put up with, or hearing heavy weights, such as porters have to carry, throws too much pressure on the arcii of the foot, and a flattening is the result. Pointed boots which compress and distort the toes are also responsible for weakening of the ligaments of the foot. Treatment consist in rubbing the feet with gome stimulating liniment, such as turpentine liniment. For those who are on their feet all day rest is tiie best treatment, but for patients who are suffering from flat-foot in consequence of weakness, exercises are best. Raising oneself on tiptoe several times, or turning tlie feet in and out, or skipping in moderation, may strengthen the feet. Metal pads should be as low at. possible consistent with the proper support of tlie arch; it is not necessary to wear a highly arched pad for a slight degree of flat-foot.