MEDICAL.

Western Star, 20 August 1929, Page 3

MEDICAL.

FRUIT. HOW IT CAN HELP OR OTHERWISE. Daily one sees this or that particular fruit recommended as a specific in certain conditions, and quite naturally the general public express an increasing curiosity regarding the medicinal or general effect of the various fruits on all-round health. That fruit and fruit juices can be of considerable benefit there is no doubt. That they contain something essential to the healthy upkeep of the body is proved by the fact that they prevent a disease such as scurvy. What, then is exactly the position occupied by fruit as regards its effect on the body? Fruits are energy producers, although only a small extent compared weight for weight with other foods. They contain various acids and salts, plus a flavour, which are beneficial. They are pfeasant to take, and they aid elimination of wast e products. For instance, the juice of two oranges first thing in the morning may prove an efficient substitute for the less pleasant saline, besides supplying a little energy-producing material.

Fresh pineapple contains a substance very helpful in the digestion of meat.

Banapas are the most nutritions and the biggest energy producers of the fruits, closely followed by plums,' and strawberries and water-melons are the least valuably in this respect. Scientifically, therefore, fruits are small energy producers. They exercise an aperient action, contain certain vitamins, and are pleasant to take. When this had been said, all that there is to say in favour of fruit as an article of diet has been stated.

There is, however, a reverse to the picture. Fruit is actually harmful in somp cases. Some digestions, for instance, are quite incapable of dealing with fruit. To those so situated I offer tha hint that if raw fruit is not well borne, properly cooked fruit might agree.

In rheumatism also certain fruits are harmfql. Without going into detail there is a safe and simple rule regarding fruit in these cases. Any fruit which in cooking tends to lose its flavour is safe to take, while those which gain in tartness should be left alone.

As a matter of interest I might here mention that French medical authorities, about 10 years ago, experimented with orange skins as an aid in chronic sluggishness of the bowels. The skins are boiled for half an hour; then re-boiled in fresh sweetened water for another half hour. What remained of the skins was then dried and’ taken for the purpose of encouraging more energetic action of the intestines. lam told that the results were excellent, although I have had no personal experience of the method.

It will be seen from the above that while fruit is a useful and pleasant article of diet, it is not an essential, and is certainly not a cheap way of absorbing nourishment. lam of the opinion that for those who can digest it, and who suffer, from no disease which contra-indicates it, fruit is a delightful light food. But it is certainly a luxury.

FUMIGATION. Nowadays fumigation is so often .carried out by an officer of the Public Health Department that it is seldom necessary for one to have a knowledge of how to proceed in the matter; however, there is always that odd time when it is necessary for one to act, alone. A formalin lamp - with formalin tablets is certainly the most convenient and efficacious method. But there are other methods such as the following:—

1. The room and furniture may be sprayed with formalin in water, 10 per cent. This does not injure curtains, wallpaper or furniture.

2. To soz of permanganate of potash and half-a-pint or 40 per cent, formalin. Place in an empty kerosene tin and stand this in a large milk pan containing boiling water. •m’ ?^ ace of quicklime in a milk pan and pour half-a-pint of 40 per cent, formalin over it. The floor should be protected- with several sheets of newspaper underneath the fumigator, and the room should be sealed and exposed to the fumes for at least 12 hours. To prepare the room, paste strips of paper over the window and boor cracks. Do not overlook the keyhole, and if there is a fireplace in the room paste a large sheet of the paper completely over it. The door by which one must leave the room is sealed afterwards on the outside.

Open and leave open all drawers and cupboards, and hang their contents loosely about the room so that the gas can penetrate every fold. Pull down the blinds and arrange the carpet, cushion, blankets, mattress, and all such things also, s 0 that they will he freely penetrated. Books, unless they are very valuable are better destroyed; place them and any loose papers in the fireplace before it is sealed up and afterwards burn them.. If it is considered necessarv to preserve them, place them unright oh their edges and.open up the leaves as much as possible Put the disinfectant on tbe floor, and if a lamp is used be careful that it is not placed where it will set anything on fire.

Afterwards thoroughly air and ventilate the roomi and its contents, and wash over all the woodwork with some disinfectant.

ANOTHER CHILBLAIN CURE.

Paint with spirit varftish from the paint shop. Only two or threepennyworth is required, and even then you won’t use it all. Two or three applications of the varnish are generally enough to cure. th e chilblains, but it must not be put on if the chilblains are broken.