The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-04-21
(By William Brady, NJ. d.

A. great many people, not neces-
sarily invalids, complain of cramps in
the legs. Let US consider why are the
cramps.
One with varicose or enlarged veins,
whether on the surface or deep in the
tissues of the leg, is likely to have
more or less aching and sometimes
cramps after long hours Of standing.
People with sclerosed or hardened
arteriesmay suffer from severe cramps
in one or both legs after walking
short distance. Sometimes the cramp
Is felt rather in the upper abdomen.
1t passes away after brief rest, only
to reccur when walking is resumed.
For the aching and cramps from
varicose veins the obvious remedy is
inversion. Lie on the back and ele-
waite both legs against the wall for a
few minutes three times a day. If there
is swelling after prolonged standing
support by an elastic stocking is re-
quired.
For the cramps due to arterial hard
ening Intermittent lameness) atten-
ton to the blood pressure and per-
chaps medicines which dilate the
arteries may be a relief.
In both men and women there are
various diseases of the pelvic organs
which may demand treatment in order
to relieve leg cramps or annoying
pain down one or both legs.
Piles and other rectal troubles will
sometimes be accompanied by reflex
pain down the legs or by cramps.
Hose Supporters, Perhaps.
The pressure of round hose sup
porters is occasionally cause of ach-
ing in the legs of men.
Weak, prOnated or inturned ankles
the early stages of flat feet-may
cause much aching in the calves and
knees. The arch is not flat, arch props
give no relief, but correction of the
pronation oyercomes the trouble.
In few cases of locomotor ataxia
cramps in the legs are very severe, at
irregular intervals. often at night.
Pains in the leg are sften COM
plained OF when an acute infectious
trouble of any kind is beginning.
Children frequently have cramps or
pains in their legs after retiring at
nightly "Growing palms, as the old
fogies, called them-forgetting that it
never hurts to grow. Rheumatic"
pains, las later observers called them
imagining that there was such a con-
dition as rheumatism. "Toxemia" pains
as we call them nova believing
they indicate poisoning of the child's
" blood by the secretions of microbes
grown in diseased tonsils or about dis
eascd teeth.
When Tuberculosis Gets In.
At what time of life is an individual
most likely to be infected with tubercu-
losis? In just what manner does in
lection usually occur? How soon after
infection may definite symptoms be
looked for? (H. E. Co
Answer-Probably in infancy, the in
lection occurring through the intestinal
lract. Tubercle bacilli may penetrate
The intact intestinal wall, enter the
thoracic duct and pass directly into the
tens and lodge in the lungs. A great
many communities upse milk from tn :
berculosis herds. Dust is a rare carrier
Of tubercle bacilli in the case of a
creeping baby. kissing is a frequent
means of infection and the contamina-
ton with saliva or spray of objects
which the baby puts in his mouth. Di :
rect infection from tuberculosis per-
sons is probably the most frequent
source, though this implies prolonged
and intimate contact, not an occasional
visit. You have to live with tuber-
culosis for some time in order to
catch it in dose sufficient to produce
symptoms. The infection may, usually
dpes. remain latent for years. then
nlanifests itself as incipient tube rculo-
SIS in youth or early adult life when
the environment or life habits are
"a ulty.