The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-12-08
PNEUMONIA PRopHY1AxIs

Candidly I have little respect for authorities as authorities. So often an authority proves to be wrong. This is particularly in reference to medicine and medical authorities Medical opinion, unsupported by actual test or by sc- entific experiment, is apt to be very mislead- ing. The old timers had lot of queer notions, and many of these notions still current, and one who ventures to question or scout the gets the name of being a radical.
 Even Osler himself fell into the error of imagining person could catch cold from him self. While Sir William was frank and fair enough to admit that exposure to cold did not cause pneumonia, but, he believed, only lowered resistance and rendered one vulner- able to the invasion of the lungs by Pneumo- cocci he nevertheless imagined that pneumo- mia "in the great majority of cases is an auto infection"-that is, the Pneumococci which most persons normally harbor in mouth and throat treacherously attack the lungs soon as they find the resistance down. Of course Os- Ter had no better ground for this quaint theory to cold lower resistance" But 1t was notion generally accepted by the doctors of the day, and a few of the old timers still cherish some such notion. However, there is no scientific evil dence that everyday exposure such as every body experiences now and then, renders the lungs or other tissues more vulnerable to in- lection. All these notions are just quaint mo- tlons, and it doesn't make them more respect able because great medical authorities of the past held such notions very eminent doctors of time still hold such notions.
 If there is any advantage in the use of an tiseptics in the hope of preventing pneumonia which l personally doubt but some good doc tors believe in. then I am no antiseptic one can use as mouthwash, gargle, spray or nose irritation snuff, is superior to boriC acid Merely from experience and observation have long believed that boric acid Is parti- cularly eficacious against Pneumococcus. So If you would like to use any antiseptic in the at- tempt to avoid contracting pneumonia, I should recommend solution of rounded teaspoon ful of boric acid in a quart of boiled water, as mouthwash throat spray, or nasal irrigation do not recommend the snuffing of pinch oi boric acid powder into the nostrils, but several readers, who have used 1t so each night and morning for few weeks, declare that it gives much benefit for chronic rhinitis
 Probably better prophylaxis than the use oi antiseptics is the care of the teeth Unless the teeth kept in sound condition, free of any cavities pus pockets areas of infection about roots, one can scarcely hope to discour' age the virulent tendencies of the Pneumococ GUS. Likewise it is important to have any foe of infection in the tonss eradicated-ofter this is most satisfactorily done by diatherm! treatment.
 Of course the main preventive measur, against pneumonia is to keep out of the spra. range of the patient.
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
 phlets "Prenatai Care" and "Infant Care," ar sent request by the U. $. department of Ia bOr, Washington, ID. O., free of cost. (Mrs G. K.)
 | Answer-Well, maybe they are sent to re publcans and their blood relations. If an! known democrat gets one free I'd like to hea | the news and learn how he wangled 1t. Th grasping government puts price of nicke and dime on these pamphlets find. At that l the pamphlets are well worth the price. Some Nice Detective Work Required Age 30 ycars height feet 3-4 inches weight 1Oe l-2 pounds, occupation stcnograph CT. handicap asthma for the past five years.- l GA. M. B)
 | Answer-Your name should be Winnie. you can fix the date of onset of the asthma definitely 1t may be good clue to the cause Did you perhaps begin using new toilet prep aration at that time something containing or ris root? Or did you begin working in a neS environment then? Holy Fright! Lay off a cou pie weeks and take the insuiin treatment-i any doctor tries to discourage or scare yo away from taking insulin treatment merely t help you gain some needed flesh. please giv me his name for my blacklist as an ineor | petent man. I fnd too many physicians Ilste | in our blue book as humdingers are In fac wholly out of step with modern medicine