The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-07-25
Focal Infection
nv "a. ADDINGToy BRUCE
Author Of The Riddle OF Person
Aiity." Psychology and
pRrenthood" etc.


The term focal infection" is
much used In medical circles nova.
days. by II Is meant diseased
condition due 10 the presence OF
germs which are exerting their
malign influence from some central
point in the body.
A common region for focal infec-
ton Is in the mouth and It's vicln.
ity Abscessed teeth are prime OF.
tenders In this respect
Indeed. focal infection so fire.
quenuy occurs from teeth witch
have become decayed and abscessed
that many people mistakenly zs.
sumo that teeth are the only pos
sibIe seats OF focal infection in the
neighborhood OF the mouth.
Consequently IL a person Is
thought 10 be the victim OF a focal
infection. and II an X-ray examina-
ton shows his teeth 10 be free from
assesses. the tendency Is TO make
no further examination In or around
hts mouth. Yet such an examination
might reveal an unmistakable focus
OF infection.
Thus. citing a case recently re-
ported by New York physician, a
man suffered for more than two
years from symptoms which baffed
treatment Focal infection being
suspected. all his upper teeth were
extracted. in the hope that this
would give him relief
His symptoms continuing. II was
thought that perhaps root had
h.a 1afs - 49,. 4
teeth. Xray pictures were now
taken. and those showed that his
mouth contained neither root
stump nor an-abscess on any OF hts
remaining teeth.
II was then decided 20 make an
X-ray examination OF his entire face
When this was done an infection
was definitely located in an antrum,
or cavity above the teeth.
An operation Immediately fol-
lowed. much pus and granulated It's.
sue being found In the antrum. This
having been cleaned out and cura-
tive treatment given. the long
standing symptoms promptly came
TO an end.
Obviously, more than two years
Of suffering would have been avoid
cd. and the victims upper teeth
saved. had an X.ray examination
been made at the outset. TO include
other parts OF his mouth and face
besides the teeth.
Focal infection may also be local
ICED In the tonslls. the middle ear,
and the sinuses. or cavities in the
bones OF the face that communicate
with the nose From these. "a from
the teeth and the antrums. disease
germs may emanate 20 cause the
most varied maladies.
Here IS list OF some diseases.
cases of which. according 20 the
health authorities OF the Life FIX
tension institute, have been either
cured or greatly helped by the de.
teton and elimination OF centers OF
Infection
Acute rheumatism. chronic rheu-
natism. arthritis. deformars, ex-
ophthalmic goitre. ulcer % the stom-
ach, duodenal ulcer, functional and
organic heart disease. acute and
chronic kidney disease. diabetes and
diseases Of the pancreas. anaemia,
glandular disease. and neuritis.
or course. focal infection may oc.
cur In other centers than the teeth
tonsils. middle ear. antrums, and
sinuaes Of the face But these seem
10 be its centers OF chief occur
renee
II Ia well 20 know this. and 20
know also that whenever focal In
lection Ia suspected thoro X-ray OK
animation should be made Begin
with the teeth, but do not hastily
take II for granted that focal infec-
ton will not be present elsewhere
II the teeth are found in good condi
ton.