The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-24
FACTS AND FALLACIES ABOUT
 PNEUMONIA

Acute lobar pneumonia, pleuro pneumonia lung fever, the kind which is likely to strike a vigorous, healthy person down out of clear sky, is still commonly associated in the popu- lar mind with occupations or experiences in- volving exposure to cold and wet. The truth is that pneumonia is noticeable for its absence or its rAity among people who suffer the severest exposure to cold and wet. On the ether hand this tropical disease-for 1t is most prevalent
 in tropical climatcs-seems to pick out chiefly persons who are most sheltered and protected against such exposure to cold and wet, here in this country If we could limit the jolly old controversy to pneumonia as the example of an illness somehow dependent on such exposure 1t would be all over but the pouting. We know that lobar pneumonia is an infec-
 tious disease, fever, and we know 1t is caused
 by the Pneumococcus germ which is kin to the notorious Streptococcus of septicemia and septic infection. This germ was first discovered by Sternberg in America, but few months la- ter Pasteur found the same germ in the sal iva of child dead of hydrophObia. They | called it the "coccus of sputum septicemia" be- cause when inoculated into an animal 1t pro-
 duces acute septcemia (blood poisoning) Four years later, 1884, Fraenke found the same | germ in the lungs in many cases of pncumo- mia.
 There can be no reasonable doubt that lobar pneumonia may be spread directly from one person to another. Where care is not taken to prevent infection, it is not unusual to find a relative or friend or nurse or another patient in hospital ward coming down with the dis
 ease. The infection is carried ordinarily if not
 invariably in the spray droplets given off when the patient coughs. Suitable masks or screens must be used to protect against such spread of the disease
 These are facts. It is also a fact that strain of germs closely resembling the Pneumo- coccus is found in the saliva of almost any well person constantly. It Is also fact that
 in perhaps one such person out of five the germs found in the saliva will produce septice- mia if inoculated into the blood of d guinea pig other animal, and would probably cause similar blood poisoning if inoculated into the
 blood of a man. It is q fallacy, however, and
 one shared by too many who profess to be health authorities or physicians, that person whose mouth or throat harbors such virulent pnemococcoid strains can catch cold from himself" some of these imaginative author ities actually teach. There is no instance on record in which germ carrier. human germ carrier, suffered any illness from his own germs His original illness or attack was pro- duced by invasion of his blood by the germs | contributed by some other person. This is fundamental scientific principle which any bac- teriologist pathologist recognizes Therefore 1t is futile practice to resort to antseptic or
 germicidal remedies in nose, throat or mouth when one has been chilled otherwise ex- posed, in the hope of prevnting the develop men of illness.
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Druggist MystiHed The formula you su-:cstcd for preventing the hair from turning gray was taken 10 n druggist and he doesn't understand what the figures mean. Please explain what they mean. The formula published was
 Carbon disuphidc ................SO 50 Sulphur prccipitatcd .............. Carbon tctrachlOridc ...............1O Directions: Apply sparingly to scalp each night, on sponge of cotton. (Rcv k. A. F) Answer-The figures may stand for grams, cubic centmeters portions, per cent, drams.
 ounces parts or what quantity do you wish.
 Parathyroid Injections for Chronic Arthritis
 Will yom be kind enough to inform your
 readers whether you have recommended new French remedy for advanced chronic arthritAs
 which disab bcs the victim? (M. E. B.)
 Answer-I mentioned nere the report of some French physicians who have administered subcuteneous injections of parathyroid extract with considerable benefit In progressive chron- ic deforming arthrites Within half an hour after injection, they say, the patient experi- enced increased facility of movement and a sense of well being. This continues for 10 to IF hours. The effects are compared with those Of
 insuin in diabetes Prolonged treatment tends to relieve permanently the joint stiffness. can give no further data about this treatment
 to lay readers. advise readers to so to their
 regular physicians for such treatment Gallstones
 Please give the outline of the proper dict for
 a person threatened with or perhaps actually
 suffering from gaiistoncs, If there is such
 diet. CT. Al
 containisg much cholesterol, such as yolk of egg, cream, liver brains, animal fats olive oil.
 beans. wheat. The galbiadder contracts In
 resp to the eating of any fat or oil, but not when the food taken is mainly carbohydrate
 (starchy or sugar). or protein, lean meat
 cheese. white of egg. Hence the pain accom- vented by excluding fats and oils from the diet | On the other hand if drainage of the galiblad- | der is desirable, liberal proportions of fatty | foods should be taken.
 Nasal PoIypl
 | Can the dlatilermy treatment. which yOn rc. | comnienii for the removal of tonsils bc used | for the removal of nasai poiypl? (Mrs V. B' | W.l
 Answer--Yes. if the doctor is skilled In tho special teehnie.
 Pretty Package | Is lt injurious Co Oiies health Go thkc 70 | nrourle.s,ey fOOd naairuml twice e dny9 Do
 yOu tiBlnk it is at al beneficial Co nervous dis'
 orders? (AlFs 2. Hl
 | Answer--It ls quite harmless 70 take q. 0fen l as vou vvinh do not think it a moro benons cisi esas "a aiass ag nniIk or a ham andwlch