New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1925-11-16
Your Health
How to Keep 1t
Causes of illness
CBY DIR. HUGH S.CUMMING)
Surgeon General, United States
Public Heath Service

Public Heath Service
There are two forms OF diabetes,
each marked by different manifesto
tions. But for general purposes it is
not important that those other than
skilled physicians concern them
selves with the difference between
these forms, although diabetes-mel-
illus, as one form Of the disease is
called, and 10 which the term dia-
bcte3 is most commonly applied, is
10y far the more serious or the more
important type.
Statistics would tend to show that
this form of diabetes Is more pre-
Nalcnt in towns and especially in
cities than it IS in more primitive
communities. ThL use Of an excessive
amount OF sugar in food is usually
considered one of the causes of I'll"
disease. overweight or obesity is
supposed also to favor the occur
,nCe of diabetes, although many who
have studied the disease hold that
excessive weight So often found
among people suffering from dia-
bctcs is due not TO diabetes but to
the cause Of the disease.
40 age seems TO be exempt, al
though diabetes more frequently
manifrsts itself in men and women
about 50 years Of age. Men are APP
parontly more subject to the disease
than women,
The symptoms of diabetes usual
ly manifest themselves gradually. \
patient may suffer Tor IL long time
hcfur" lie realizes that it is neceS-
sary for him to seek medical aid,
The first symptoms which attract
attention are failure Of strength,
loss Of weight and great thirst.
Sugar in quantity is found when
chemical tests are APPLIED to The
body waste. The quantity of sugar
passed Iaay vary from few ounces
TO two or more pounds day and
the sugar increases after starchy
foods have been eaten.
Sugar may also be found In the
blood. saliva and tears and in al
most all eXCretions of persons tuf-
tcring from the disease.
One of the most annoying aymp-
oms which the diabct.c experience,
"a that Of intense thirst. The per
son usually consum's an enormous
~ antity of liquid and this thirst is
fn Qucntly, although not always, ac-
cotUpanicd by NoraCious appetite.
TIA, mouth is often parChed and
a faint, sweet odor may be notice.
able on the breath.
Tluc effect of diabetes upon gen
cral health is very marked. There
may Ne muscular YEA kneSS, a low
ering az the temperature of the body
and the skin may become dry and
hard. Frequently the teeth loosen
and do cay, the gums bleed. There
is in q neral, great mental deprcs-
SIGN or irritability. The diabetic us
ually fc, Is blue" and out OF sorts.
As a 4-nsNe diabetes advances grad
ually. Thin however. may not lie
the case In young Persons. The
complications of the disease are
many and serious. II may cause
impaired VI Won; cataract of the eye
is common in diabetes. Affections
OF the skin may occur boils, car
bunclcs and gangrene are apt 10 &C.
cur as the disease advances.
Diabetes also would seem TO be
more susccpt lble to pneumonia, and
gangrcne Of the lungs frequently
sets in If the patient survives the
crisis of pneumonia. Digestive
trouble, of all Winds, kidney diseases
and heart failure are all common
occurrences.
b. far the md st serious complica-
ton Of all is thilt known as diabetic
coma. which is very commonly the
final cause of daeth. This coma may
last from a houas o three days, but
it almost inyaria lly means that the
diabetic will soon be beyond earthly
troubles or medicrl aid.
Diabetes Is a pi pgressively fatal
disease, and, in thd past, recovery
has been exceedingly rare. Never
the less, much may. I've done by pro.
per treatment to relieve the severity
of the symptoms and ito prolong life.
The treatment of diabetes has de-
yeloped and improved considerably
in recent years. The Insis of much
of the treatment at thu present time
is initial starvation IN til the sugar
disappears from the el ;cretions. IT
may be necessary in Stlch cases TO
continue the original faIt for from
two to 10 days. After tie first long
period OF fasting, however, no subse-
quent fast need be longer than a
day, as a rule.
While the principle Of the new
"Insulin" treatment may he under
stood by a person having diabetes,
it is obvious that 1t can m success
fully carried ont only uuler the
supervision of a competent physi-
clan. If you are suffering fnom dia-
betes, go at once to your family
physician, the doctor in whom you
repose the most confidence.
Place yourself under his care and
scrupulously follow the advice,which
he can give you.
The results obtained to date would
indicate that the Insulin treatment
is a very valuable aid in the treat
ment of diabetes. Its use, however,
is not free from danger and it rrust
be always employed under the d.
rection of an attending physician.