The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-03-19
THE POULTICE ARGUMENT COMES TO
 A DRAW t

For years have been worrying about it, and now it has. come. All these happy years nave recklessy, nay, fearlessly, there has been some where in the background of my consequences constant thought about the sad future when, Tn, evitably should begin contradicting myself ana inviting all the bright young readers to taRe axe means whacks at me. suppose this is Just one of the sorrows of senility.
 following maddenng remarks:
 Your article poultices astonished me-
 surely you don't actually believe that flax
 seed meal p9uce or any other hsys s1r freonentx stated in other articles that the skin IS an eI- fective barrier to anything that attempts to pass through it, unless there is a break In 1t.
 If this is so, how can pus poisonous matter be drawn out through the skim?
 Inconsistent, too, is your remark that in using plain poultices on boils there is always the risk of transferring pus garns to fresh point ana ing exuded from a boil can enter the skin at a fresh point to make more trouble, then the skin must be like sieve and not at all as protectlVe
 There is one consolation in my predicament- thanks to somersauts and other foolishness l am still pretty good at squirming out Of tlght place. Watch me now.
 Our young friend is keen one all right, but his attack has several weak spots which we must reluctantly point out in orde: to save our face. have never believed and do not now believe that ing" effect. I do believe large wet dressing Chick loose gauge or cheesecloth) kept constant ly moistened with salt solution stronger than the mild salty strength of the tears or the blood serum, draws" that is, hygroscopically attracts water from the tissues and so favors drainage and that is why such a dressing. or perhaps a constant hot bath of similar saline strength is good treatment for many surgical infections. do not know, but I believe that such hygro- scopic dressing bath may even draw some wa ter from unbroken skin or through unbroken skin. I believe I am perfectly consistent still through normal skin--sweat and sebum are con stanty excreted so. I still maintain that noth-- ing can be absorbed through unbroken skin and am not worried about that assertion being suc- cessfully controverted, even by the doctors or thorities.
 do not believe pus germs can be exuded or drawn out through Gnbroken skin. Nor do imagine they can be implanted made to enter the skin at a fresh point as long as the skin re- mains unscratched unbroken. A whole skin is the very best of protective coverings for the body, and as long it remains whole no pus germs or other germs can enter QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Hypothctical Problems
 other remedy than the knife for above named trouble? Is it dangerous operation? (W. H.)
 Answer-I refuse to testify on the ground that it would tend to give many readers needless anx- iety . In fact I can offer no opinion. advice or tery. all right, but not in working hours. Up From the Squared Circle Having completed my pre-medical course in Q any university. find myself at 25 without means or financial backing to continue in medical | and think might make something out of the professional boxing game If go into this 1t will | DC thrcc ycdrS UckOrc CAn OeSlm meU1CHl SCHOOL Is that too much Of handicap? How about thu effects of knOck-Out-is there any permanent deadening effect on the efficiency of the brain Ol sense organs? (J. F. S.).
 Answer-In your place should make what could from professional boxing. There is some damage to the nervous system in repeated knock out blows. state called "punch drunk" How. ever. don't let little thing like that hinder your medical career
 I Don't Know What makes my ankles snap when go up ol
 Please tell me what can do to stop the an
 moving cracking noises my right knee makes
 when run or dance or sometimes just when
 walk. (L. O. L.)
 | AngSer-Frankly haven't even theory t,
 offer Loud snapping is sometimes due to a ten
 don slipping back into it's groove and that car
 be remeded only by operation Cracking sounds
 are commonly complained of by young womeI and sometimes young men. who have no evden | trouble in the joints affected. Perhaps some O | our readers may have a hint to offer about this | AdhesiOns
 | Have you any advice help to offer for adEe sions? (Nfrs w. B. H.)
 Answer-If Mrs John c. Adhesion writes m
 about her own trouble I'll give her the best ad vice can. but have information or advic
 to offer indiscriminately upon any morbid sub ] ject.