The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-01-29
Diseases Of Our Own Causing.

On an average one-half of the number
of out-patients treated by hospital sur
geon suffer from diseases due primarily
to want of knowledge OF the laws of
health and cleanliness. First, the ignor-
ance of the hygienic laws which affects
80 disastrously the health of the rich
as we'll as the poor, exists chiefly in re-
gard to dress, ablution and ventilation.
This statement may, at first, appear
startling but an enumeration of the
diseases that can be traced to the above
causes will show upon how sound a
basis this statement rests. The follow
ing are examples : Varicose ulcers from
dress; skin diseases from want of clean
illness; chest diseases and fevers from
defective ventilation. The vast number
of liberated legs treated in the out-pa-
tient department of hospitals, in work
house infrmaries, and in private prac-
tice, arise from varicose veins. Now,
varicose ulcer is caused by distended
condition of the veins of the legs, which
have to sustain the pressure of the blood
caused by gravitation. In varicose
veins, the valves which help to support
the column of blood are to great ex-
tent destroyed, through the veins hav-
ing been distended by mechanical
obstruction to the free return of the
blood from the extremities, thereby dis
tending the lower veins and separating
the edges of the valves. Thus the
weight Of an uninterrupted column has
to be borne by the veins. This, of
course, causes further distension, giving
rise to congestion of the capillaries of
the skin and causing swelling, eczema,
and ultimately liberation. This is the
varicose ulcer so common in the labor
ing classes. It is always difficult to
heal, and often impossible to heal, e1-
cept by prolonged rest in bed. Hence
it is tho dread of surgeons, and the
cause of misery to thousands. Varicose
ulcers are seldom admitted into general
hospitals, 30 that hundreds of poor
families are driven to the workhouse,
and such cases form majority in the
workhouse infirmary. The most fre.
quent and fragrant cause OF obstruction
is the ordinary elastic garter. Children
should never wear them at all, as the
stockings can be perfectly well kept up
by the attachmento of elastic straps to the
waistband. If garters are worn, it is
important to know how to apply tHem
with the least risk of harm; at the bend
OF the knee the superficial veins of the
leg unite, and 60 deeply into the under
part of the thigh beneath the ham-string
tendons. Thus a ligature below the
knee obstructs all the superficial veins;
but if the contraction is above, the ham
string tendons keep the pressure off the
veins which return the blood from the
legs. Unfortunately, most people, in
ignorance of the above facts, apply the
garter below the knee. Again, in nine
ont of ten laboring men, We find a piece
of cord or buckled strap tightly ap.
piled below the knee, for what reason
could never learn. Elastic bands are
the most injurious. They follow the
movements OF the muscles, and never
relax their pressure on the veins. Non.
elastic bands during muscular e1ertion
become considerably relaxed at inter-
walls, and allow freer circulation of the
blood.-Popular Science Monthly.