The Red Cloud chief., 1889-05-24

THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN.
An Earnest and Able Pie. for TIE Proves
ton Of Disease.
He should have constant opportuni-
ty to know just what is the physical
condition of each member Of the FAM
lily in the absence of any manifest eve
idence of disease. To this end period
ical examinations should be made Of
such q character as to reveal any
lurking morbid tendency without
waiting for its development into
actual disease. There should be no
such a thing as a discoverable affec-
ton remaining undiscovered. Death
from unsuspected heart or kidney dis
ease, for example. should cease to be
possible. There should be no more
histories like the following, o so
frequently repeated:
A person supposed to be in good
health is Fastening along the street.
perhaps hurrying to catch a train.
All at once he is e 10 to stagger and
fall. Passers = by rush to his as
sistance, but he gasps a few times,
and. before any aid can be rendered.
he is dead. An autopsy reveals that
he had fatty degeneration Of tho
heart and the extra demand made
upon the heart by the unusual exer-
ton was more than its enfeebled walls
could respond To- He was not aware
OF tho existence Of this condition, but
II his doctor had merely laid his finger
on his pulse his suspicion would have
boon aroused. and listening to the
heart would Immediately have con-
armed it BY proper treatment and
the avoidance Of severe exertion tho
catastrophe might have been averted
for many years, and the usual limit Of
lie might perhaps have been at
tanned.
Or again, , gentleman who has
thought himself quito we'll goes as
usual in the morning to his place Of
business A few hours later he is
brought home in a carriage in a state
Of Inconsistencies. In spite of the
most prompt and judicious treatment
he does not recOver from his coma. On
the contrary, commissions set in, and
in tho course OF a few hours he dies.
Unknown to him OF to his family he
has been suffering from Bright's dis
ease. the symptoms being latent up to
the last moment Yet a very simple
examination would have revealed to
his doctor the actual condition of af-
fairs. and by proper care and proper
the fatal termination might
have been almost indefinitely deferred.
The records of examinations by the
OF life insurance companies
show numerous instances In which
very serious disease exists without be-
ing suspected either by the. patient or
his friends This fact, In addition to
the frequency OF cases such Is those
described above. Is enough TO show
the cxtrcme importance Of system by
which the actual condition Of persons
not consciously Ill should 30 periodi-
cally Investigated.
In view Of this It should be q part Of
the duty Of tho family physician to
make II thorough physical examine
ton of every member Of the family at
least twice q year. and in the case Of.
a feeble or delicate person at much
shorter intervals. The results of these
examinations should be fully recorded.
and the record kept in possession Of
the doctor. to be transmitted to his sue
A record Of this kind would
possess immense value, not only for
the persons Immediately Interested,
but also for their posterity. It is by
knowing the vital history Of the par
ents that we know what to expect in
the children. Heredity is an influence
it is difficult to estimate. for the
reason that the absence of records
prevents our tracing it backward in
the family history. Yet we know that
this influence may shape the physical
of generations to come. DR..
Holmes has said that the proper time
10 begin tho treatment Of some dis
eases is q hundred years before the
birth Of the patient. He might have
added that the treatment sometimes
needs to be continued for a hundred
years after his death.
But the opportunity afforded to the
physician 70 ward OF injurious
from those under his care
might be extended much farther. It
should Do within his province to indi-
:ate what occupations wore suitable to
given youth, and what, in the inter-
ssts of his health. should be avoided
He should be able TO prevent q feeble.
Il~l-nOurished, narrow-chested lad being
put behind . desk In q countinR-ro0m,
who're the tendency to pulmonary dis
'ase already existing would certainly
10 developed. He should have such . +
Ioice In the selection Of boarding.
'chools as would prevent tho children
icing sent to institutions in unhealth- |
ul localities. or in which there was
from defective sanitary pre-
,autions. In tho selection Of . new
and even in choosing q sum-
4-- 4