The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-09-15
THE AMBULANT TREATMENT OF HERNI

We pride ourselves on our speed yet in this country medical literature is always from five to ten years behind time in recording new de- velopments in practice.
 The science of medicine is well in advance of general progress; the, art of medicine struggles It is right that it should be so. If the order Of march were otherwise medical progress would be chiefly backwards or in aimless circles. The news of medicine medical literature, is the weak arm of our national health forces. Cur rent medical literature is perfect chaos of weird, irresponsible chaff and chatter, so noto- riously sterile of actual sound facts or even pleasible theories sensible observations that it is a rare experience to find physician any where who even pretends to scan the few med ical magazines professional papers he buys or receives by virtue of his medical society membership. AS for medical books today these are manufactured as a commercial commodity and with few exceptions written or compiled by professional secretaries or office girls under the supervision of the professional textbook author whose name will grace the volume or rather the set of volumes. Most of these pro feSsional textbook authors are as competent to write on the subjects of their books as l would be to issue book tomorrow on the ambulant treatment of hernia.
 When I began recommending here the chem ical obliteration of varcose veins, l knew of only score of doctors who were prepared to give such treatment. Navy of the doctors who tients with laugh at "Bradys pipe dream" or assured them the treatment was dangerous" To-day every doctor who is not indeed an old timer is using this treatment with uniform sat isfaction to his patients.
 The same sort of blind. dumb muish reac tion the part of the medical brethren was eicited by my shameless promotion of the dia- thermy method of eXtirpating tonsils as prefer able to the old Spanish custom In this instance several of the leading medical journals of the country made the tactical error of printing edi- toria attacks on me and my assaults on the evils in medicine. Nevertheless the diathermy method is now being used by the majority of good nose and throat specialists and by the leading general practitioners in every town and hamlet, and it is fully meeting every indi- cation ascribed to it. It is indeed serving as surgery could never serve the requirements in case of infected tonsis complicated with heart other impairments which render the old Spanish custome too great risk for the pa tient. Yet none of the medical journal editors who attacked me for my 'promotion" of this new method has yet seen fit to publish an apology to his readers for his blindness and bad judgment.
 Curiousy enough, very vociferous reac- tion followed my espousal of the ambulant treatment of hernia. l am disappointed. for rather hoped few of the mouthpieces of the profession might venture to take some position on. this in print, I could catch them in the act. But so far as know, not bleat has been uttered in any of the more blatant medical or gans about my dreadful conduct in respect to this method of obliterating or closing the her
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
 Pretty Crcdulous Customer
 Six months ago I started having pains doctor said it was cold After 15 treatments went to the hospital and they said it was pleurisy he says have neuritis (H. S.)
 Answer-An can say at this dstance-and lucky for me it is some distance-is that it seems to me customer who will fool along for Is treatments . humbug diagnosis of cold must be just two credulous
 Cold Bath After Meal
 Is 1t harmful to take cold bath after a meal? (H. SD
 Answer-Not for young person Older folk should wait half an hour or even an hour for the after dinner swim. Elderly folk should take a stroll instead. .t.tI.
 Fruit Is Alkaline
 Ben Told lemon juice acts an alkaline in the system. Please affirm or disclaim this the- ory Miss R, R. E.)
 Answer--Neary all fruits or their juices tend to make the blood and tissues more alkaline. This includes tomatoes.
 Eating Coffee
 In habit of eating coffee grounds the last five years Is this like a dope habit and does 1t im- pair health? q. M)
 Answer-Depends on how much. Coffee talk en so has the same effect coffee taken in the ordinary way. Too much coffee njures health. Most normal adults may take two or three cups of coffee or tea daily with benefit to health.