The Washington times., 1917-03-02
POPULAR MEDICINE
BY DR.. HIRSHBERG
Intelligent Observation of Rules
of Hygiene Will De-
crease Illness. +
BY DIR. LEONARD X. HrRsHBERG.


Your kidneys are coupled with the
bladder by pair of horse reIns. just
as a double team is linked to the
drivers hands. The kidneys, by a
curious, inherent vitality distinctly
their own, seize from the blood as it
semi-circles and gyrates throughout
their meshes certain fluids and solids.
which it passes on down through the
hollow horse reins". into the reser-
voir called the bladder.
The bladder differs but slightly
from the clowns pigs bladder on a
stick" The latter is stretched and
thinned like toy balloon. because
1t is inflated. When shrunken, in its
natural condition. the bladder is like
thick woolen pudding bag.
The bladder, therefore, is only a
receptacle or receiving reservoir with
two openings above. one for the hol-
low horse rein" of each kidney and
one larger outlet below. through
which is discharged the kidney fluids.
Symptoms Of CystitIs.
"CystitIs" is the name given to sew
eral disorders of the bladder, in
which bacteria and other irritations
are present. "Cystus" means bladder.
and tits" Inflammation of. When
cystitis occurs the victim begins to
know he has a bladder. Pain occurs,
the kidney fluids burn and hurt and
signs of trouble appear in one form
or another.
What is to be-done? The kidney
fluids are alive with microbes and
bacilli, so the germs must be killed.
The lining of the bladder Is sore and
swollen, and this must be\soothed. 1t
Is necessary to overhaul the cistern,
modify the diet, eliminate the excit-
ants and remove the bacteria.
Milk and rice, whites Of eggs and
a liberal allowance of water are all
that ought to be taken in the way
OF victuals and drink for three days.
II all food is stopped and rest in bed
is taken, such old-time remedies as
boric acid, benzoate of soda or
alkslies need not be taken. Much is
required to allay the distress and
pain, but something more Is de-
manded to rid the bladder OF the
nests Of germs aggregated there.
Use of Medicines.
or the medicines which when taken
into the stomach most harmlessly
reach the kidney fluids and bladder,
hexamethyIentetram and saloI are
the two that destroy germs without
much injury to the human tissues.
Salol in five-grain doses is acted
upon by the engine of the intestines
and blood called lipose. 1t splits the
salol into carbolic acid and salicylic
acid. These two acids at once make
themselves into a compound or salt
and become dissolved in the kidney
waters as mild germicides and disin-
fectants. At once they. make fatal
onslaughts upon the bacteria that
cause cystitis.
neutrality-suspicious. Is analog-
Gus in its actions, but decidedly more
powerful As IL leaves the kidneys,
formaldehyde, one Of mAnkind's most
efficient dfsinfectants, is unleashed.
II the kidney fluids are acid, for
faIdchyde is produced. Not so. how
ever. in a cystitis, where the kidney
fluids are alkaline.
When this situation is present, in
order to have the effects of the for
maldehyde it behooves the patient TO
take some salt, such as acid sodium
phosphate. In. this fashion, Just
enough formaldehyde will be let
loose from the Observation-Disclosures
mine not to irritate the bladder or
kidneys and yet rid them Of the mi
crobes.
UprO0t the Causes.
Cystitis may also and simultanC-
ousIy require injections into the blad-
der, either OF halfstrength boric acid
solution. OF. IL acid fluids ar. present.
per cent OF borax, a teaspoonful OF
table salt. and a few drops OF glycer-
inc to the quart of water.
The treatment of cystitis cannot be
completed until the causes have been
uprooted and eliminated. II there is
a kidney abscess, a series OF bo'Is
and carbuncles, typhoid fever or
other sources for the accumulation of
germs, which find their way into the
bladder. all the above antiseptic
treatment can do is to reduce the
number of bacteria and relieve the
conditions in the bladder. But IL
must be manifest that until the first
source as a menace is wholly re-
moved the trouble may be expected
to continue.