The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-09-23
WHAT A DOCTOR SHOULD TELL
 HIS PATIENTS

The other day told here about the practice of a physician who has a large number of dia- betes patients. He gives two lectures a week. and invites all his patients to attend the lec- lures free of charge. That doctors patients learn what every diabetes patient must know in order to derive the greatest benefit from treatment.
 Fannie Benson Rogers whose article "If I Had Known in the Beginning What I Know Now,'' published in the July, 1881, issue of Jour. of the Outdoor Life has attracted so much attention, proposes that physicians who have many tuberculosis patients should conduct similar meetings conferences or lecture course for the benefit of their patients. The National Tuberculosis association; 45o Seventh avenue should distribute Miss Rogers article widely, for it is the most practical and valuable bit of writing on tuberculosis that has been made available to the public since MT Stockers How Won the Battle with Tuberculosis in My Own Home" was published in the same magazine 10 years ago.
 This idea advanced by Miss Rogers ought to meet with wide acceptance among physicians who deal largely with tuberculosis In this dis ease even more than in diabetes it is of the ut- most importance that the patient have a fairly good understanding of the nature of his trouble and the healing process, in order that he may give the physician that complete cooperation which so greatly promotes recovery. Here in the article she contributed to the tuberculosis association's official magazine Miss Rogers tells how her own inadequate under standing of these essentials handicapped her and postponed recovery If such lack of educa- tion can hider recovery of a patient with the
 
 shows. how much more harmful it must be for the general run of tuberculosis cure chasers. Now that Fannie Benson Rogers suggests It., 1t seems almost negligent on the part of doc tors who treat tuberculosis that they have not adopted some such practical method of educat- ing instructing their patients long ere this. I know one reason why they have not-petty jealousy and narrowmindedness. However, l ask any doctor who is on the square and in good standing-who can criticise a doctor for teaching his own patients how to get well? Of course nobody can. Heretofore these doctors largely exclusive ly engaged in the treatment of tuberculosis have resorted to the comparative inefficient pamphlet, book, or even less satisfactory print ed slips containing specific instructions for pa tients.
 For that matter I can conceive no good req son why every reputable physician who pur. ports to serve his patients well, should not con- duct his own private school of health or course of lectures or educational clinic or whatever he may prefer to call it. for the benefit of his pa tients or patrons. If this plan were widely adopted by the midical profession it would soon render all present schemes of exploiting popu- lar ignorance and credulity in respect to health and sickness quite unprofitable, for after all, the intelligence quotient of the American pub lie is steadily rising above the moronic level QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Little Red Ants We have little rcd ants all over the house wherever anything edible is kept. How can we get rid of them? (Mrs S. H. B.
 Answer-send stamped envelope bearing your address and repeat your question. SuperfiuOus Hair Most effective means for removing superfiu- Ous hair. (M. M. c. Answer-Depends on circumstances Pluck ing. shaving with safely razor. rubbing with fine pumice stone, electrolysis. and X-ray are all good means in suitable cases
 Cocoa Butter Myth
 My arms arc very thin and some one suggest ed should rub cocoa butter into them. (F. P.)
 Answer-That is just an ancient myth of the beauty specialist. Of course you can't feed, nourish or develop any part of the body by any locally applied medicine, food or gadget.
 IAfw. lAAu
 I have profitcd by several of your good sug gcstions one being the Brady way of making caffee (stopping the brewing just short of boil ing) and aIfothcr that plain vascline or petro- latum is more effective than the expensive min- eral oils in helping overcome the constipation habit. (Mrs D. ID. R.)
 Answer-When you smell the coffee all the house you may know before you get down to breakfast that 1t has been ruined. If ordinary yellow patrolatum is repugnant. the white or colorless kind has the same effect. It is preferable to liquid petroatum. and less is required.
 Marking
 Please give your opinion On mothers marking their unborn children from unpleasant sight or happening. (Mrs H. M. J.)
 Answer-Any one who has had an opportun- ty to study embryology the prenatal devel- opment knows how absurd Is the superstition of "markipg."I "If you are an expectant mother. or if there is one in your family, I'll be happy to send n letter of advice on receipt of your rec quest and a stamped envelope bearing your ad- dress, No clipping.