Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-07-05

Inflammation of a joint is known
as arthritis. There are several types
of the disease. I want to speak
particularly about "arthritiS de-
formans." This is sometimes called
'rheumatoid arthritis."
In this disease there is deformity
and Gripping Of the joints. The
fingers are twisted out of shape
and other joints of the body may
be stiff and deformed.
In general I am not much i'm
pressed by heredity as a factor in
disease. The fact is, I don't want
to believe that heredity is a matter
of tremendous Importance. My soul
rebels against a mans being Grip
pied or fettered because his father
was. 1t must be admitted, however,
that this form Of arthritis appears
to run in families.
AS we become more familiar with
the chemistry of the body it is
very likely we will know a lot more
about the causes Of disease than
we do today. We will know why
it is that there must be maintained
IN the body what we call the
chemical balance. The lime and
phosphorus and iron are required
in certain proportions in order
that they may do team work, if I
may put it that way. Anything
that ~interferes with the body chem
iStry lowers the vitality and
leaves the victim ready victim Of
disease. Perhaps it will be found
that the body laboratory of the
son is apt to be like the body lab
oratory of the father. If this is
the case science will tell us some
thing in the future how to correct
the evil and in this way defeat
what are now the p~redestined eff
fectS of heredity.
Anything that lowers the vitality
prepares the way for an inf1amma-
ton Of any part Of the body. Ply
steal or mental overwork is a fac
tor. Working under conditions Of
bad sanitation cannot be disre-
garded.
We have the feeling that the
men should carry the heavy bur-
dens of life. AS a matter of fact,
they do not. This disease, for in
stance, is more likely to attack
women than it is men. 1t may be
that frequent child bearing is a
factor.
Almost invariably a local center
Of infection is to be found some
where in the body. 1t may be in
the gums or in the teeth. Tt may
be in the tonsils or in the gall blad-
der. Even with strict search, how
ever, it is frequently difficult to
locate the exact cause.
In the acute form it comes on
something like rheumatism. There
may be swelling, redness and pain
in one or more joints. But almost
always it is the small joints Of the
hands, and sometimes of the neck
or jaw which are affected.
The acute symptoms disappear,
but it will be discovered that there
is stiffness and creaking of the
joints on movement. Then comes
on the deformity which character
ICES the disease.
The treatment Of arthritiS de-
formans is not very satisfactory. I
shall leave that for you to discuss
with your physician.
There is a popular idea that in
all rheumatic troubles there should
be a restriction in the eating Of
meat. / a see no advantage of
any such restriction in arthritiS de-
formans. AS a matter Of fact, it
is a mistake to restrict the diet SO
much as to impair the strength
and vigor. Many times it will be
found the patient is actually me
mic from lack Of proper food. Cen
erous feeding is more likely to be
helpful than otherwise.
ANSWERS TO HEALTH QUERIES
A. B. G. Q.-What do you advise
for bladder trouble?
A.-Consult your doctor for the
necessary treatment.
l.. j. E. Q.-What causes ring
ing in the ears?
2.-How can I gain weight?
A.-This is often due to nasal Ca
tarrh which has extended to the
middle ear. R
Eat plenty of good nourishing
w nv n