Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-06-14
Health Talks by DR.. 6rady
Focal Infection of Joints.

In report giving the statistics i'm some
4lI cases OF chronic infectious arthritis dong
lasting Joint Inflammation due 20 iuvasiou OF
tho joints by C"rinSD pr. Frank billings. whose
name is associated with the focal infection
theory of arthritis. observes that one third OF
TIA" cases nav" rather sharp onset with some
fever. and two-;hirds OF them are "f insd-
iouS or gradual onset with no fever.
The focus of infection responsible" for the
joint disease i'm those all cases was t"nsi only
in 2Ui cases. t"usil and teeth IN - cases.
teeth only I'm - eases. teeth aud sinus or gall
sac or prostate or other focus in 100 cases.
uterus and tubes in y cases. bronchi in :
cases. middl" in case, appendix in /
case nasal sinus in - cases and SO on show
ing that chronic joint trouble may he caused
hy many foci other than Infected tonsis or
bad teeth. Failure TO discover or recognize
tho real focus Of Infection at the beginning
was illustrated in some OF these cases pr.
billings mentions the cases OF two "f
midd" age whose Joint trouble was asso-
Gated with lame muscles and whose septic
f"ct u"nstls and some APPEAL infections Of the
teeth in both Cascs) were ersdcatcd surgical
~: immediate partial recovery followed in
both cases. bu, later both patients had re-
lapscs and both presented signs Of pailsac in
ELIMINATION. Both were operated for the
gal! bladder trouble. and following the re-
moval OF this hidden focus Of Infection both
men made complete and permanent rccovcries
from their joint troubles.
In another case, woman improved for a
tim" after removal of Infected ,onsiis and
"Niraction Of some Effected teeth. then grew
wors" again. Presently she developed acute
appendicitis. her appendix was removed, and
then she made prompt ana complete rccov-
cry from her chronic joint disease
Note how particularly I avoid saving rheu-
matsm. which doesn't mean anything In par
tjcuar. The term only encourages victims OF
all sorts OF Joint and other troubles to pro-
crastinate or TO undergo various kinds Of NAL
treatment alleged to be good for 'rheuma-
tism."
Among the remedial mcaSurcs employed with
benefit as adjuncts in the treatment Of these
All cases OF chronic Infectious arthrItis, be-
fore and after diagnosis aud eradication of
the septic foci. Or. Billings mentions the use
OF diet balanced for the Individual patient
palliative drugs. cheerful environment. good
hygiene, physical thcrapy. occupatlonal
therapy, mechanical thcrapy. hydrOtherapy.
passive manipuations and active exercise In
appropriate cases and at the right stage OF
the Illness. For instance. ne commends tho
Alternating hot and cold shower spray bath
under considerable pressure to tone the gen
cral circulation the effects being equivalent
I" those of the cold plunge shower hut
devoid az the disaGr"cahle shock This alter
mating hot and cold pressure spray also i'm
proved the circula ton IN tn" affected joints
which is always poor. Hot air baking OF
IN" joints. or heat applied otherwise. as by
electric radiant heat, was found of much value
In treatment In short. II r. the opinion
Of Or. Billings that the careful diagnosis Of
all septic foci and their proper treatment to-
rcth"r with IN" general treatment outlined. is
the best have today.