The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-04-04
by William Brady, N. D.

In previous issue we talked about
"arthritis." We endeavored to en-
phasize the meaningless of the term
in diagnostic way. and the impor-
lance of determining in each case
what Is the matter with the joint OF
joints involved. The septic focus was
dwelt on.
But this focal infection idea has
been ruthlessly overworked by n good
many doctors who ought to know bet
ter. They have seized upon the idea
In an empirical way and applied it
not with scientific accuracy. nor even
with common sense, but blindly and
unreasoningly, to the sorrow of many
confiding patient. There are hun
dreds of women and men who have
had to sacrifice the judgment OF the
good dentist, whose advice is thrust
aside by the ponderous dignity of the
busy doctor--and the result Is just re-
great for the removal of the teeth
fails to bring the anticipated relief to
the affected Joints.
This is a great misfortune, for it
tends to condemn the whole theory of
focal infection. Yet the eradication
OF septic foci does bring relief and
cure to thousands of sufferers in spite
of the bungling work of the too popu-
lar practitioner.
The men who worked out the focal
infection theory proceeded scientific
ally, not ruthlessly. They did not as
sumo that the arthritis patient must
sacrifice his or her teeth on n mere
gamble. They determined by COOP
GRAFTON with good dentist and per
haps with the aid of X-ray negatives
interpreted by the good dentist
whether any teeth were infected. The
dentist then had the final say as to
the proper treatment Of such teeth
and he should have the final say, for
that is his specially, and the doctors
opinion in the circumstances is Of sec
ondary weight.
But more, they studied the patient
generally, not to overlook more likely
foci, such as low grade chronic eth
mold or antral infection in the nasal
cavity, or a long quiescent pelvic in
lection, for instance. If any such pos
sible sources of poisoning We're found
they proceeded cautiously about the
extraction of teeth. When teeth were
extracted, or any other focus attacked
IN dot iy,I
which specific species of germ might
be present. Then, from lymphnodes
in the vicinity of the involved joints
modes into which drainage from the
joint occurs), cultures We're made. II
the same strain of streptococci, let us
say. appeared in both series OF Gull
lures. then it was req sOnable and sci
entific to assume that the septic focus
had really been discovered. Perhaps
vaccine prepared from the cultured
strains of bacteria would be Of con-
siderable help in the treatment
The Trained Nurse.
] always look forward eagerly to
your daily article, because value
your opinion so highly. VIII YOU
kindly tell me what You think of the
trained nurse in country home? !
have lived in the country where towing
hands ministered to the >irh and &uf-
fering ones and not professional /
will greatly appreciate your opinion.
On. II. 81
AnSwGr-I .0Ninr HANDS al irrIt
in minor illness, and such hands arr,
applied with good intentions, yet if ,
Were i'll in the country or anywhere
else, / should prefer the professional
care of the trained nurse to the ,t-
forts of the lovingest of hands 1t Is
exactly like a doctr trying to treat his
own loved ones when they are scri-
ously ill-he can't do il nearly as well
as an outsider can.
And the Other Kind.
am so years old. have suffered for
years from what physicians have
called rheumatic govt, which is stead =
feather pillows, and in cold weather
feather beds. The soft bed not only
gives warmth, but comforts the joints.
But now comes a trained nurse and
tells me that feathers, because OF their
relation to electricity, are harmful to
people with rheumatism. Is that
true? (Mrs. NJ. E.)
Answer-Get all the comfort you can
out of the feather beds, They are abb
eolutely hygienic.