The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-07-10
Dr.. Brady's Health Talks
a POISONED MOUTH.

Bradburn describes an Interesting
case III tho British Medical Journal.
II is worth reviewing. for II illustrates
commonly overlooked cause OF i'll
Mesa poisoned mouth
a healthy man. aged twenty-eigh
was suddenly seized with 4 shivcring
nj, accompanied by general pains, cs-
pecially In the joints. He was laid up
two weeks. He then got out of bed
but was Immediately put back again
by recurrence of all tho first symp-
toms. this time with an eruption OF
blotchcs on hts legs Besides, there
were severe abdominal cramps.
An Inaccurate Diagnosis.
For several weeks the patient was
IN serious condition. and failed &c
respond to any treatment. The cause
of his illness could not be determined
although very careful tests of the
blood and the urine were made. The
PHYSICIANS who saw him thought "A
might be case of purpura (scurvy,
because OF the joint pains and the skin
hlotches. But he obtained no relief
from remedies which ordinarily relieve
purpuric symptoms.
Throughout the attack the patient
had low. irregular fever.
FINALLY searching examination ex-
cluded every probable source OF in
lection excepting the mouth. There
were several decayed stumps of teeth
with septic, or iniiamcd, gums.
These were removed. At once the
temperature became normal, the symp-
toms cleared up, and within short
time tho patient made n complete re-
covery.
oral sepsis" is the term used by
dentists in describing poisoned
mouth. 1t is an exceedingly common
factor OF acute and chronic illness
For tho very reason that 80 many
people have septic mouths the con,.l-
ton Is often overlooked by physicians
You know there Is nothing SO hard
to flnd as the obvious. AS Poe wrote,
In The Purloined Letter." The more
| rejected tho moro satisfied ]
became that, TO conceal this letter. the
minister had resorted to the compre-
hensivc and sagacious cxpedient OF
not attempting 10 conceal 1t at ALL"
Quotations md Answers.
G. Is. S. writes: My father aged
siNty-four was always n hard work
ing man, until about three years ago.
when an attack of pneumonia left him
permanently weakened. He has grad
ually developed a peculiar tremor of
his hands, and when he walks his
steps are faster and faster. TIL he has
to catch something or fall. Ills face
seems To be immobilc, with n strange,
staring look in the eyes. Iie is emo
tional, brcai,s down and cries over
slight matters. Is this mental failure.
or can something be done for him?
Reply--Your description harmonizcs
well with that OF nervous ailmcnt
called paralysis agitans." which may
he relieved somewhat by careful medi-
cal supervision.
Miss Il. A. queries: What is the posi-
fnr .
have been in fine health until few
months ago. when | took cold and
coughed n little. My throat began to
trouble me. and the doctor gave me
vaccincs. AZ | got no better l visited
n throat specialist He said 1t was
tuberculosis OF the lnrynx. He re-
fcrred me to another doctor. who ex-
amined my chest, and referred me to
still another, who also examined my
chest. Then they examined my sputum
but found no tuberculosis germs, yet
they insisted l had tuberculosis. and
sent me TO sanatorium. STAYED
only few days and went TO my
parents home in the country. where |
have gained steadily. though 1 stin
cough some.
Reply-Thcre is no ono positive test
for tuberculosis. The finding of the
germs Is not essential TO a correct
diagnosis. The combination OF several
signs in particular case is more re-
linblc. Your medical advisers did
right. Your present Improvement is
no doubt attributable to their timely
interference In your indoor life. and
the chances are YOU still have tuber-
culosis. Don't put your own opinion
against the obviously disintcrested
opinion OF three competent physicians,
II you would retain your health.
DR.. Brady will answer all questions
pertaining to health. IL your question
is OF general interest II Will be an
swcred through these columns; II not
1t Will be answered personally IL
stamped, addressed envelope is in
closed. DR.. Brady will not prescribe
for individual cases or mako diagnoses.
Address all letters to DR.. william
Brady. care of The Times-Dispatch