Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-07-03
Health and Right Living
By ROYAL s. COPELAND, M. ID.
Former Commissioner Of Health

Just a week or SO ago I told you
about diphtheria. But I am so
pleased that the able Commissioner
Of Health Of New York City is con-
tinuing his campaign against 6iph-
liberia I want to tell you more about
it. DR.. Wynne is insisting that all
children be inoculated against this
terrible disease.
When I was a young doctor we
knew nothing about the prevention
Of diphtheria. 1t was extremely
prevalent and very, very fatal. Little
children who had passed through
the dangers of infancy and had not
yet gained the strength and sturd-
mess Of school age were the ones
who died.
Not only was it a fatal disease in
those days, but the deaths were
dreadful to witness. The poor
children actually choked to death.
I can well recall the leathery,
grayish membrane as it filled the
throat and as it grew, ultimately
shut off the breathing. AS the
poisonS of the disease were absorbed
the health and figure of the child
melted away, giving every evidence
Of the virulence of the disease.
It makes me shiver to think of
what happened to childhood from
the effects of this one ailment. 1t
was the chief cause Of death amor
children.
Unfortunately for mankind, we
have plenty Of diseases today that
cannot be controlled. We face those
for which there is no known cause.
There are others so obscure that we
have been unable to find effective
remedies.
Diphtheria is not in this cata-
logue. 1t has been lifted from the
unknown to one Of the best under
stood Of human ailments. There is
no excuse today for any consider
able number of deaths from this
disease.
Sometimes lay persons sheer a lit
tie at the scientists. But no one can
sheer at what they have done to
guard young children against dis
aSter. If there were no other rea-
son for applauding their efforts, the
discovery of a mean Of protection
against diphtheria would be quite
sufficient. II their methods are fol-
lowed universally, diphtheria will
disappear as a cause Of death.
Any community can free itself Of
this danger. Every physician has in
his possession a sure means of pre-
venting dfphtheria.
Everybody breads an operation. I
don't suppose anybody ever faced a
surgical knife without secret fear
and perhaps visible trembling. Even
so simple a thing as having a tooth
extracted is a matter of concern.
But as compared with these the
incubation against diphtheria is as
nothing. 1t is neither painful nor
dangerous.
I beg that every parent who has
confidence in my advice may con-
suit the family physician regarding
this procedure. Your little ones are
too dear to you to take any chance
Of a disease SO dreadful as diph-
| liberia. The trifling inconvenience
/ VI 11dN1llS l11C 11lOOUAQJ4OlA 10 vi C41l1A1
consequence when weighed against
the concerning thought that the
Death Angel will pass by your house
when seeking the victims Of this
| disease.
ANSWERS TO HEALTH QUERIES
L.. A. D. Q.-What should a girl
weigh who is 81 years old and S feet
tall?
2.-What is an impacted wisdom
tooth? Must it be removed?
A.-For her age and height she
should weigh about lis pounds.
2.-An impacted wisdom tooth Is
one which has not come through
properly. If they prove trouble
some they should be extracted.
P. M. M. GLOW much should a
girl aged 16 IL. 5 feet 1-2 inches
tall weigh?
A.-She should weigh about 112
pounds.
G. T. Q.-What value has-in the
treatment Of headache?
Al am not familiar with the
form of treatment, therefore cannot
advise you about it. Headaches can
usually be cleared up BY getting at
the source Of the troubles.
d. Z. T.. Q.-What can be done for
pimples and blackheads?
A.-Correct the diet by cutting
in around in the air. You'll break
rn1n- fool nnck that's what Vnll'1l