HEALTH NOTES

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1851, 28 August 1907, Page 14

HEALTH NOTES

treatment of cancer. - Tie-following book notice is from the "Spectator" because of the Information which it conveys regarding a scourge, in the treatment of which, unfortunately, too many are vitally in terested, as well in New Zealand as in Great Britain : "The Control of a Scourge," by Charles P. Ghilde. Methuen and Co., 7s 6d nett.,. , ' . , There is a common prejudice, Which ie often well grounded, against medical Cooks which appeal to the lay reader. This prejudice would assuredly disappear if all works of this class were as sane and lucid as the book on cancer which Mr • Child©, of the Royal POrtsmounth Hospital, has contributed • to Dr Saleeby's "New Library of Medii cine," Mr Child© thinks it eminently desirable that the public at large should he acquainted with the dangers and curative possibilities of this terrible disease. In a most ably written hook he has explained the revolution which the last generation has witnessed in the surgical treatment of cancer—-which still remains the only treatment which can offer any definite percentage ot cures. He begins by laying down the two cardinal facts at present known about cancer, a disease of which the origin and' mature are still obscure. We know, however, that "cancer is, in its beginning, a local disease, and confined at first to the part it first attacks"; and secondly, that "from its local site of origin it generally very eoon disseminates itself, into the eystern of its victim." From these two facts follows the conclusion that if cancer is extirpated by operations at a ©affluently early stage, . the patient is • "cured"—i.e., the disease will not recur, except from a new and. independent .. . source of origin; and that when, as too often happens, .an apparently successful operation is followed by the recurrence* of cancer,, the reason is that the operation was either delayed too long, so that the cancer cells had travelled to other .parte of the system, or that it was not sufficiently, thorough, and some of the diseased tissue was -deft behind. Mr Childe’s book may be summarised. as an exposition of the meaning and consequences of conclusions,'.'which are clearly established hv; operative statistics.* He maintains that practically-every case of cancer can be cured'by the knife'if it is treated early enough; . hut. as a rule, he asserts that r the sufferer—through ignorance,' modesty, fear of the knife, or similar causes—-does not appeal, to the surgeon until it is ’too,- l&te for. his interv • ferenca to he. effectual; That under these adverse conditions'there is so considerable- a percentage, of operative cures-, 'is strongly: in favour of Mr Childers contention' that almost all cancers might be successfully treated by operation, if they were brought to the Surgeon's notice soon enough. Accordingly, .he'goes on'to describe the symptoms’.by: which the sufferer from incipient. canber should take warning, and r . to' urge that every one' should be familiarised with these'simple danger-signals, and act upon their appearances. His hook is extremely ;valuable, aTld. should be read by all who wish to arm themselves against - the insidious onset of one of the. most dreaded and indiscriminating of diseases;'

FOOD IN RELATION- TO HEALTH.

,c ! Loss" of health'ig loss'of wealth, and -'much! iil-health is* due to ' ignorance about -'food—the fight Sort-of food for physical fitness. Some idea of the large place ; which ill-health occupies in the world of 'labour is given by the figures put forward recently that the working classes of London* only lose' .£4,000,000 yearly] from consumption alone. iSjo re general figures]are these of the Order of Oddfellows and the Ancient Order; of] Foresters, who in .1904 spent -in sick pay'to thpjr members Jer,412,285, While 100. principal trade unions paid J§Bj,sl9~in. 'sick and accident benefits. -The British Dental Association .lately stated that it would 00gt£1,200,000.. to aave the teeth of- the children in the elementary - schools of England and > In- one district ninety-six per TOnt.' the children had defective mouths, mainly pwing,- it is believed, to over-refinement of food and adulteration. - . With .these facts in mind, says "Public Opinion," a . "Bread and Food Reform League" , has been organised, whose -main .purpose is to direct attention to the gfeat subject of the food of the people, to disseminate information about It, and thus, help to diminish many of the. disease produced by ignorance of dietetic ;laWs. - Without advocating any special system of diet, it is desired to show :the nutritive and economic value .; of much-neglected staple foods, whose more general adoption would benefit the ; health of all classes.of society and lessen suffering amongst those of limited means. It ;is argued by the League that a proper choice of food would also promote temperance, by diminishing the craving for alooholic stimulants, arising from insufficient and innutriv tious diet. The Council of the League are organising a petition to municipal authorities, societies, and individuals interesty ed in ameliorating the condition of the people, directing attention to the fact that much distress would be lessened by a knowledge of foods which nourish completely at the. least cost. Their value is shown by Dr R. Hutchinson J s statement that lib of the important body-building food protein can be obteined from peas ; for 7d, from oatmeal for ~7£d> whilst if derived-from beef it will cost] 2s fid. C.' . T , To inaugurate an educational health,, and food campaign, the League held a meeting at the: Mansion House _on -nine ~ 2fith r at ' which Sir .Janies Crichtonfirowne moved ‘ this resolution:

"Since ignorance of the laws of health and the proper choice and preparation of food cause directly and indirectly a large amount of disease and infantile mortality, and as united efforts would prevent euch suffering; resolved: that an educational health and food campaign be held to stimulate societies and individuals interested in the welfare of the people, to make systematic co-ordi-nated efforts to remove this ignorance, strengthen local health committees, and influence public opinion, so that health visitors may be established to work in conjunction with medical officers of health in spreading plain practical information amongst the people."

Sir James said he was not present to advocate any special system of diet, and he particularly repudiated any vegetarian tendencies, for he had no doubt that animal food as an element in the diet of the people had largely contributed to the vigour, energy and success of our race. At the same time an excessive indulgence in animal foods was no doubt injurious to health. A -just judgment founded on all the evidence avail- ■ able at tfie present time pointed, he believed, to a moderate meat diet as most suitable in this climate and in modern industrial conditions. It was eminently desirable that" those who could not . afford a meat diet should know the best substitutes ’ for it and should be taught how they might in the least costly and most palatable and digestible form find the proteids, salts, and extractives which meat supplied, and which were necessary to the maintenance of health and performance of labour. This was part of the work which the league proposed to undertake, and which the machinery it intended to set ur seemed well calculated to carry out. By bringing pressure to - bear on the Legislature the League would, it was hoped, promote measures calculated to check the adulteration and sophistication of food at present rampant, and with reference to certain articles to establish a standard of value, so that doctored or deteriorated stuff might no longer be palmed off on the public. There was much waste and extravagance among the very poorest'in the matter of food, apart from their waste and extravagance in regard to alcohol. It was for the League to teach how to make even cheap food savoury and dainty, as well as nourishing. Sir James spoke of the necessity of educating mothers m the feeding of infants and of the necessity for a pure milk diet, and then dwelt upon the question of the feeding oi children, particularly in its relation to education. He was convinced that millions had been not merely wasted, but mischievously applied in foolish attempts to force the growth of undernourished ~ brains. If we were to hold our own in the world and would lighten ■the load of disease, vice, poverty, and misery under which we staggered, we must literally obey the Divine command and "Feed My Lambs." The food of our school children of. all classes was susceptible of improvement which must involve a number of changes. He mentioned as one change the introduction ,‘of oatmeal into their dietary to a larger extent than it figured at present; With regard to those who could feed as they would, he said that they would do well to revert to a greater simplicity of treatment than was now customary.

LITTLE EMERGENCIES. ' AND HOW TO MEET THEM. (By Dr. Gordon-Stabbs.) In all oases of poisoning or suspected poisoning, the very hrst thing to do is to send for the doctor. . If there are stains about the mouth and lips arid on the clothes, it may be presumed that the patient has swallowed some irritant poison which is producing inflammation. He will have burning pain, too, and be faint and ill. No emetic should be given in such a case, but milk, white of eggs and milk, or olive oil. If there be no stains, the rule would -be to give that mustard vomit, or two tablespoonfuls of common salt in a teacupful of warm water. If there is great drowsiness he may have ©wallowed some narcotic. He must be, made to vomit and kept awake with strong coffee, walking about and slapping the back. No. milk in the coffee — an emetic.

- Before administrating what are called antidotes, you must endeavour to find out what has been swallowed. You may get at this by aetang questions of the sufferer, or you may find some in a cup or glass. If then one can ne sure that some acid has been swallowed, get him to swallow magnesia, a tables nonful or, two in water, whiting or even a decoction of the plaster from room walls. If it has been a strong aika !i, vinegar and water, or lime-juice in water, will help to analyse it. In eases of carbolic acid poisoning, by no means rare, give several tablespoonfuls of Epsom salts in water. In j oieoning by ordinary narcotics, except alcohol, the pupils are very much contracted. A vomit is about the first thing that will relieve a person who is insensibly intixieated. Tea and coffee will prevent collapse. I must now mention a few of the commonest mishaps and the quickest way to treat them. Bruises.—These are earned by blows ot falls, and are common with children. The flesh very quickly swells, and after that there is decoloration. The last is caused by rupture of capillary.vessels below the skin, and time alone will put it away. For the pain and swelling, if the ekin is not broken, apply cold water on rags and arnica lotion. Burns.—lf they are large send at once for the doctor, because there will be shock, and. that- is always, dangerous. For slight burns with no broken ©kin culm ary turpentine dabbed on with a bit of rag takes the pain away at once, pr simple oil may be used, or what is called carron oil, a mixture of olive oil and lime water; Never cut a blister. , JuM dreos the part and put a piece of

cotton wool over to exclude the air and do nothing else till the doctor comes. Scalds receive the same treatment. Burns from acids. Swab with cold water to dilute the acid and treat as a scald. Drinking boiling water.—Send for the doctor, but meanwhile make the patient rinse mouth, and throat with '©live oil and swallow some. Sponge or foment outside of throat with hot water. Beo stings. —People who live in the country or huburb.i should always have a liquid ammonia handy to dab upon a sting. But a hive bee leaves in its sting. This may be extracted with fine S tiers or pressure of a small key. A andful of ordinary earth and water will do good if instantly applied. Chilblains. —Keep away from the fire always. Keep feet and hands warm and dry. Weak sulphuric acid and water removes the itching. Equal parts or tincture of iodine, hartshorn and laudanum painted on twice a day. But if there is ulceration poultice and see the doctor.

Bleeding from the nose.—lf not accidental it is constitutional. Hold arms above head. Sit upright. Cold to nose and nape of neck and spine. A cool room. Send for surgeon if it continues. A bit of cotton wool wetted well with hazeline and jammed up the bleeding nostril does good. Cut ior wounds.—lf large, the doctor must be sent for, because there may be an artery wounded; however, pressure on the bleeding point in the wound, if the wound is-'gaping or spurting, will slop it. A bit of dry linen put on the cut, a pad over that, and a roller bandage. If there is much bleeding a light bandage between the wound and the heart, with a knot tied on it to press against the artery above. Send for a doctor. Ice or cold of any kind will command ordinary bleeding, because it contracts the vessels. Convulsions in children. —In much afflicted the cause 'may be worms, teething, bad feeding, especially from the use of patent quack foods Causes must be removed. Better see a doctor. Child may be irritab’e and peevish for a long time before the fit comes on. Body may become stiff, then convulsed. Cold sponging to the head, but place the body in a hot bath. Keep on changing the sold sponges. When he goes off to sleep the danger is over—for the time.

Fainting.—This is caused by want of blood in the brain, or sudden withdrawal of blood from brain, as in the case with feeble-minded people, or g Acting a fright, bad news, excitement or loss of blood. Patient is pale and giddy, skin clammy and brow sweats. Pulse feeble, breathing quick and shallow. Generally falls down. If .in a hot room carry out to the nearest fresh arf. Lay on the back, shoulders on a level with the body, and legs raised a little. Loosen the clothing. Bathe hands and fce with cold water, and apply smellingsalts to the nostrils. Afterwards tea ci coffee. Re-member that the grea est mistake one can make in a fainting case is -to keep the patient sitting up in a chair, or trying to make her swallow anything. , Sunstroke or Heatstroke are caused, the former by exposure of the skull and body generally to tne direct rays of the sun, the latter by overheating anyhow. Both produce more or less congestion of the coverings of the brain* There is great pain in the bead, with giddiness and faintness, quick pulse, hot skin, flushed face and rapid brea fair.g. The person may fall and become unconscious. There may be convulsions, but they are not the same as epilepsy. Take 'to a cool place at once; loosen tight clothing cold water to head, face, neck and chest. Bend tor the doctor.

Preventable by ordinary precautions, light and loose clothing, light headchess ventilated. Protection of back of neck from the sun. Always wear something on the head. Apoplexy.—This is usually called a stroke, and is most common in people well up in years who are short-necked and full in body, and who eat more than 1 hc-y can comfortably carry. The person falls down quite suddenly—for indeed there is rupture of a vessel wi hin the brain and consequently compression—faoe flushed and stertorous (snoring) breathing. Cheeks puff out ? and in with the breath, and there may be a drawing Of the face to one side, shoAving the paralytic character of ihe fit. iou are to send for the nearest doctor at once. But meantime lay the patient on hi© back, with his and shoulders a little raised. Keep the bod} warm. Get ice to the head, fresh air and perfect quiet. Do not attempt to give anything to swallow. Loosen the clothing, of course, and having obeved all these ineti-uctions you have done your duty.