GUARDING AGAINST NEURITIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19798, 19 November 1927, Page 6 (Supplement)

GUARDING AGAINST NEURITIS.

HEALTHY TEETH. FROM SIR W. AltßUrilNO'r LANE, BART., C.B. The painful disease known as neuritis is an inflammation or irritation of the nerves. It is not a fatal disease, except in its rare and sovere varieties. Pains produced by more serious troubles are often loosely attributed to neuritis, and the diagnosis should never bo adopted unless made deliberately by a qualified medical in an.

There are two entirely different forms of neuritis. In one, a main nerve trunk is involved, such as the big sciatic nerve in sciatica. The pain is often intense, but never leads to death and is generally confined to a single limb or to a very circumscribed area on the trunk or head. Its commonest causo is a centro of sepsis in somo part entirely rcmoto from the site of the pain. Watch the Teeth. Infected teeth, tonsils, and intestines account for the majority of cases. Proven tion necessitates tho strictest cleanliness of tho mouth, throat, and bowel, and whole-hearted treatment of any inflamma tion which may arise in these areas. Inflammations of tissues other than nerves alO ofton painless and therefore easily overlooked. A dead tooth may have a chronic abscess at its root without causing any pain. Tonsils damaged in childhood may bo thoroughly septic without making tho throat f eel sore. The 6econd form of neuritis is more diffuse and affects both sides of tho body, starting in the hands and feet, and spread ing toward tho trunk. The first warning may bo a persistent sensation of pins and needles, but the disease may progress and end in widespread paralysis. It is caused by, poisons circulating in tho blood. Tho lead palsy of plumbers and painters, arsenical neuritis, and that following diphtheria are well-known in stances and may end fatally. Govern merit regulations and the stall of the fever hospitals are the nation's safeguards against such catastrophes. Process o! Poisoning. Tho commoner, mild non-fatal forms arc usually duo to auto-intoxication from the bowel, and their prevention is in our own hands. Over-indulgence in alcohol is responsible for a very serious form. De ficiency in vitamin 13, tho vital element present in wholemeal bread, but entirely absent from white bread, causes a most distressing and dangerous multiple ncu litis known as beriberi. The general process of poisoning which occurs in constipation and intestinal stasis, when food stagnates and feeding is in judicious, is one of the commonest causes of all. It can bo avoided if evacuation is regular and effective, if fresh fruits, raw salads and unspoilt cereals arc used as tho foundation of a mixed diet, if the body is exercised properly, and sunlight and wind are allowed a reasonable access to the skin.