The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-11-18
CRUELTY AND KINDNESS TO THE
 DEMENTED

man aged A years who has always been steady, substantial citizen, good husband and father, and successful in his business be- gins to be stubborn, whimsical and peculiar in his behavior He takes some fund entrusted to him and runs away to nearby town, and in- sists he is not coming back home He develops a strange antipathy toward his family and many of his friends. He laughs at the very suggestion that he needs medical advice and insists he is sound as dollar. He deceives everybody, about important matters and about trivial matters.
 tercourse he now declines to mix with people. He has spells of despondency and crying over some secret trouble which he declines to ex- plain. He plans all kinds of stupendous bust- ness departures and seems to think he has vast resources at his command. He is apt to say and do indecent and shocking things. He appears extra ordinarily susceptible to the schemes of people who obviously hope to get an advantage of him in business tranactions or the disposal of his estate.
 He dwells much upon divorce. He is deter pnined to get a divorce from, his wife who is actually most faithful mate. He threatenes suicide rather than live with her, and accuses her of the foulest crimes or sins.
 This man, up to a few months ago fine type of citizen, is squandering his capital. disgracing his family and causing much sorrow to those who love him.
 But do they love him?
 oh, yes they have had medical advice. The medical advice has been the same in every in- stance-that the man has paresis ('softening of the brain") and should be sent to a hosp- tai for care and treatment. But having pro- 
 clans, the family procrastinates, hoped father may "snap out of it." All the doctors have plainly informed them that victims of paresis do not "snap out of it." But they drift along, waiting for dreadful denouement. They hate to put him away" They think 1t is cruel to have him legally committed to the state hospital by court order. They have quaint notions about the horrible conditions in "asylums."
 They are in fact cruel to the unfortunate invalid They are denying id him the best care his sick mind to control not only his own con. duct but the conduct of the entire household.
 This situation is an everyday occurrence. believe the authorities in charge of our state hospitals for the insane are in part to blamo for 1t because they so seldom invite the public to visit these public institutions and see what fine atmosphere or environment is provided for such invalids. These hospitals are too much immured. We should do away with the resi- dent staff and place our hospitals for the in- sane under the charge of visiting physicians, as for any well managed hospital
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
 Diathcrmy Did It.
 had suffered for . long time from constant sore thrOats and rheumatism, so was greatly interested in your articles on diathermy. l found that Dr - of this village used this method. so l went to him. Within two months felt like different man. All my throat trou- blc and q good deal of the rheumatism has dis appeared. want to thank you for bringing the dathcrmy method of removing tonsils to my notice. I would never have taken the chance of operation. (H. c. M.l
 Answer-Neither would I, not so long as diathermy Is available and good doctor to apply it.
 Calcium Lactate for Asthma
 Three months ago I began taking one To- grain tablet of calcium lactatc three times day for bronchial asthma with which have suffered Of and for 10 years. Scnsitization tests and some forms of serum were given me without benefit After commencing on the third bottle of 100 tables I began 10 feel marked improvement. Should continue taking the calcium lactate, or rest on e while! am deeply grateful to you for this suggestion In your column. (H. c. WI
 Answer--Ten weeks is long enough to take it. think, whether for asthma, hives, hay fe- yer or migraine epilepsy. Then rest off for month or two, then another course of the cal- cium lactate. It is essential to take good drink of milk or water after each dose. for the con- centrated medicine sometimes upsets the stom- ach It would be well to crush or powder the tablets before swallowing them
 Cracks Under Toes
 For cracks under the toes l tic piece Of white wo0Ien yarn around the toe and forget both toe and yarn. W. D. H)
 Cataracts
 I have cataracts The lids dro0p one of them enough to 0bstruct my view. should l have dcrimatologist operate on the lids? tMrs K.)
 Answer-No. If any such operation is done 1t should be done by an ocuiist, eye surgeon.
 I'Isotograplser's Hyp0 for Lead Poisoning
 Iicferring Co yonr article regarding the usc of hyposuipiiite tthio suipisatc) of sodium in. iect0ns for arsenic poisoning. Being in the manufacture of lead products undeFrtnnd this same medicine is used alT0 f0r lead poisoning. and that c daily dose Of srOm 10 t0 go gEains Of h in water is useful t0 prevent lead noisosss .ing im workers exposed. (C. A. F.)
 Answer--Yes. though perhaps calcium chloride ia better remedy to Inject Into the blood for lead collie.