TALKS ON HEALTH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 142, 18 June 1932, Page 7 (Supplement)

TALKS ON HEALTH

BY A S’AMU.Y DUuT’Jk

A RHEUMATIC PATIENT. In a case of chronic rheumatism a doctor may feel that it would not be fair to promise a complete cure, but he feels he would like to do his best to improve the condition of, and try to uuike life a little more bearable fur. the man who is seekiug his advice. First of all, then the patient should be submitted to a careful examination, which will take time. The chief reason for a complete examination is that there may be some primary (source of infection—the rheumatism may be due to poisoning of the system by some chronic ulceration of the bowel, a suppurating ear, some affection of the urinary passages, or dental caries. If any such source of infection is discovered it may be treated, to the great benefit of the patient. Then it is the doctor’s business to see that the patient is not subjected to any depressing influence which can be removed. The diet must be carefully studied; the rheumatic patient should partake freely of animal food and fat, and he should eat very slowly. Generally speaking, alcohol should be avoided. Exercise in the open air should be encouraged; some rheumatic joints require movement rather than rest. The natural stiffness due to the rheumatism is increased tenfold by the enforced immobility which, is foolishly adopted by the patient. Clothing and B*Hhs. Now. are you quite sure your house is in the best possible situation? Is not the old place damp. Is not your living-room dark and airless? Would you not be better if you moved up the hill? To live in a bright, sunny room, well aired and ventilated, will go a long way towards improving the general tone of the system, and thus relieving some of the rheumatic troubles. Then, the clothing is of paramount importance. It is useless bundling the patient up with a multitude of coverings, and, on the other hand, chills must be avoided by wearing sufficient clothing. A garment that is light, warm and absorbent should be worn next to the skiu. Tonics are useful, and various drugs have been tried with varying success, but too much reliance should not be placed on drugs. In many cases cod liver oil improves the general nutrition and makes the patient feel he is getting better. Hot-air baths give great relief, and electric-light baths, which combine heat and light, are often beneficial. The whole effect of baths is due more to the warmth of the water than to the saline constituents. Each individual must be studied as a separate entity. What is sauce for the goose is seldom sauce for the gander. To some sufferers harm has been done by mineral baths.

Exercise Stiff Joints. I wish to emphasise the necessity of moving rheumatic joints. In the early stages of acute inflammation rest must be strictly enjoined, but at the first possible moment, provided you have the permission of your medical attendant, you should move the joints. You think that because a joint is stiff, stiff it must remain, and it is very hard to get it into your heads that you must exercise the joint to prevent it getting stiffer. You are such cowards, you will not exercise the joint yourself, and you will not let the doctor do it for you because you are afraid of a little pain. You would shriek the place down if I wrenched your stiff knee, and the neighbours would think I was murdering you. But you let the travelling showman wrench your knee, only he has the sense to have a brass band to drown the yells. Adenoids. Tn children an operation which may safely be undertaken with the prospect of great benefit following is the removal of the enlarged tonsils and adenoids which obstruct the air passages of the nose and produce various evil effects if neglected. The indications are snoring at night, breathing with the mouth open, a running at the uose, and sometimes deafness. At the same time the child seems dull mentally, and all the symptoms, physical and mental, can be removed by a timely resort to the help of the surgeon. Guarding Against Infection. Suppose you have been exposed to some infectious complaint, what ought you to do? In the first, place, there is something you ought not to do, and that is to get in a panic. Keep calm, cool and collected. 'There is no need Io go into hysterics. Perhaps wo shall understand the question better if wo bear in mind that infection is carried by germs—do not think disease is some vapour in the air, or a bogey-man, or the evil eye. These are none the less real because they are so minute. Hundreds of them could dance on the point of a needle, but, nevertheless, they are the cause of infection. In order to remove any germs that are clinging to the surface of our bodies we should have a good bath, with a thorough soaking all over with sonic disinfectant soap. Ladies should have a shampoo, ns the hair is so liable to catch the dust. A Change of doth ing-. All the clothes should be changed, the washable ones sent to the laundry and the others taken out in the open air and well brushed and shaked, and. it possible, left exposed to the sunlight. Dq. not brush them indoors. If any of the rooms where ttye patient was are to bo disinfected the frock may be left in the room to undergo the cleansing process. Lastly, special attention should be paid to the throat and mouth. An antiseptic mouth-wash should bo used nt once after exposure to infection, and fixe or six times a day thereafter. Germs rather enjoy growing in a nice warm throat, but I do not pee why we should a how them any hospitality, and a mouth wash is the best bint you qan give them that you prefer their room to their com pany. Of course, if you have half a dozen decayed teeth, it is impos siblo to keep your mouth sweet and clean.