The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-08-17

You an appropriate. violating treat
ment.
But IL you write-as many do-that
You suffer from "rheumatism'' or
ne1ritis" it is necessary to decide be-
tween many kinds of joint conditions.
disorders often foolishly included in that
homemade name rheumatism"
IN other words. when you write. de-
scribe in detail just how your trouble
anects you. Don't use such words as
indigestion" Jump" mango" salt
Itch" ovarian trouble" "blotohes,"
eczema" and all the others
Describe Troubles Simply.
Now. hero Is typical letter which
made 1t necessary to question tho writer
half dozen times and caused q delay
of many weeks before definite advice
which cured the gentleman-could be
given:
Dear DR.. Hirshbergi
You have helped so many and re-
FUSED rewards and compensation, but
am moro than able to pay you, 80
please accept the enclosed check
with my compliments. I have had
the eczema for Is years. know of
several whom you have cured, SO
please cure me.
CHARLES o.
Fifth avenue. New York City.
The check was, of course, instantly
returned. Also he was instructed as
tollowss
Please describe the location, the
| color. dryness or moisture. itch or pain.
crust or matter. elevation or depression.
, thinness or thickness Of the eruption"
! This l.
he sent a larger check, but although
evidently Intelligent and obviously
wealthy. he still defeated his own pur-
pose with these words:
My eczema Is on the inside Of the leg
from which 1t sometimes spreads to the
adjacent tissue. At present 1t isn't Itch
ing me, and 1t Is not as troublesome as
| 1t has been"
Had he at first written, There IN an
elevated rash with . sharply defined
margin that Is dry. scaly. is inclined to
clear up little now and then. to itch
sometimes and to spread by contact
i as he did on the fifth letter-and IL he
hadn't guessed 1t was ECZEMA" could
have told him at once that his trouble
was rtngworm .on the groin, durable
/ with white precipitate ointment mas
! saged in and left on a few nights.
| In place OF such expressions. "I am
nervous or MY husband Is a neuras-
| thenic" or 81 have psychaesthenia-" It
will quickly bring the moro efficient
remedies If you will Overwhelmingly
/ without repettion-just what your
| trouble really Is.
Here is an Oft repeated Inquiry What
can be done for hemorrhoids7"
Better to say: "A few shot-like or
| grape-sized hemorrhoids project always
| or at times; Itch or bleed, never trouble
i me except to project. are not painful
or are painful" These exact. but brief
/ descriptions will bring a precise and
helpful answer. The former request
necessarily brings only a general reply.
The headache" query. to be sure. ar
| rives almost as often as any other. You
! tell US to avoid those blessed allevia-
lions Of headaches-the coal tar. pills.
capsules or powders" begs one intelli-
gent woman. What, then. are we to
do for headaches?"
Glad to Help.
| She ignores the fact and the deeds
needed, to wit. that she ought to de-
scribe JUS where. what kind. duration.
extension and quality of the headache
she has. When and how often does It
assault her? Does It endure or Is 1t
! dull. sharp. shooting. still or radiatng?
| Does she sew. use glasses. write or
work under artificial light at desk?
In fine. then. to use names or send in
snapshot guesses Is to cause confusion
/ and delay.
Thoroughly helpful advice can be
given You If you will please describe In
| your first letter just what your trouble
| Is.
Don't think you trouble" me by writ
| ing as often as / can help you This Is
| just what 1 am here to do for every
! reader of this nerssnaner