The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-29
ELEMENTARY LESSON FOR SLAVES OF THE PHYSIC HABIT

Breaking folks of the physic habit is the toughest job have ever tackled, that is on broad mass basis. Teaching 'em not to be afraid of drafts wet feet child's play. Teaching 'em that brushing the teeth doesn't matter little harder, for there we barged right up against American snobbery. Teaching 'em not to shed their blood when they have to. give up their tonsils was harder still, because there we encountered obstinate and mulish re- sistance on the part of all the old fossils of the medical profession, particularly the pee-wees in the nose and throat field. But these little skirmishes are minor affairs, after all. Break ing the physic habit is a formidable undertak ing. I've been sniping away at 1t for ten years or so, though in a desutory. way and without great expectations Once year I've brought down something, I am assured But what does lone bird like that among millions matter if the rest never aware that I'm shooting at them?
 The nostrum manufacturers and ghosts of venerable quack institutions may well take notice right now that have put aside my rifle and henceforth I'm using a machine gun. Dur ing the past two years l have been quietly trying out this new and more deadly method and find it will do execution enough to make a noticeable impression. No doubt my technic in the working the automatic improves with experience.
 There is one little obstacle which the physic or enema addict must surmount before he or she even begins to get ready to commence to quit, and that is the precious old morbid mo- ton, so dear to the heart of the nostrum and quackery merchant, that if the bowels don't act the nostrum and quackery merchant | says they should, you are in danger of suffer- | ing dire poisoning or what the foppish fakers | in the healing racket call "autointoxication." | Not only the frank dealers in proprietary dope and mail-order quackery promote this auto intoxication' or toxin bunk for all it is worth | to them, but a considerable number of the | near scientists and the brass specialists in our | regular medical ranks are quite fond of rolling | the idea over the tongue, when dealing with we'll do or credulous customers. Scientifically there is not even little bit of | evidence, experimental or clinical, to sustain l the fancy that any such poisoning hap l patient | I have no compunction about committing my | self unequivocally about this, for you may be sure have studied the question carefully be-
 fore taking any such position upon it. am | reasonably confident, you see, that no one can shake my position. for it is grounded in physi- | ology, and even the most imposing quack or | brass specialist can't repeal or annul the facts or laws of physiology.
 Once the victim of the constipation habit | gets this quaint superstition of 'autointoxica- | ticn" out of his or head there is hope-as a | famous predecessor of mine used to say. How about your notion, numbskull? Do you know a | lot about intestinal poisoning that isn't so | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | Safe Places to Lie
 What laws or restrictions, if any, have to be dies as - and -? These remedies are sold as cures for colds CT. K.)
 Answer-Practically none. except that cer- tain narcotic drugs must be mentioned on the label. As for the claims made for the rem | edies, anything goes so long as it is printed on the label Lying. on the lapel involves the risk I most anywhere else is safe. think you will | find that neither nostrum is called a "cure' on the label. The manufacturers are too foxy to
 be caught like that.
 | Antivenin Cost Money Following your advice that one travelling in
 snake country should carry antivenom in his | emergency kit sought to provide myself with | some enclose the letter from the store
 where I buy my medicines. The price seems | prohbtive. Our sons killed 35 rattlesnakes
 here on the ranch in the past six weeks. (drs J. K)
 Answer-The letter from the store mentions | a price of $10 for the package of antvenin. We'll, when need arises that price is a small | consideration for the great benefit the antidote | confers.
 l Chronic Arsenic Poisoning | My trouble Is chronic arsenic poisoning. | can't afford q doctor. Can you give me q good
 home treatment? (M. Q. B.
 Answer-No. If you can't afford doctor you
 should go to one of the free dispensaries or | clinics for treatment. You do not explain how you know you have chronic arsenic poisoning. | If you are sure about it, a course of sodium hyposulphite photographers fixing chemical) will do no harm-talxe from 10 to 20 grains in half glassful of water after food three times a day for two or three weeks
 Big Boy and Little Girl
 Is there any objection 10 che marriage oi people varying considerably in sixef Tiie elrI
 is e2 inches in height while I ann 70 inches il ! Answsr-sueh ! difference is Insignificant.