The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-11-18
HoUsEMAIDs KNEE IS NOT so FUNNY


 Seems the funny papers are less interested in housemaid's knee than they were formerly or else housemaids are taking more care oi their knees nOWadaysa
 there is a wee bag or sac of fluid called a bursa. which serves as a pad or cushion In case you should ever kneeE Inflammation of this prepatelIar bursa is the condition known as '.housemaid's knee." Any injury to the tip of the knee, or prolonged pressure or friction there may cause the burstis. Finishing floors, remains a considerable time on one/or both knees without care to use 8 comfortable cush- ion, subjects the bursa to irritation. Scruhping floors on the knees isn't done any more except in the movies where the heroines meteoric. as- tension or innate graciousness must be regis- tered. 4
 Prepatellar bursitis manifests itself as a large rounded tense swelling in front of the patella or knee cap,, filled with thick fluid. Tenderness and redness complete the classical picture of infammation--calor. dolor. rubor, tumor-heat, pain, redness and swelling.
 The knee must be kept at rest, half bent, in a well padded splnt or sling. Ice bags or evap- orating lotions bex oppose the inflammation at first; later hot moist dressings or a poultice will give more relief. When much fluid is pres ent it should be drawn off through needle.
 Sometimes pus accumulates in the bursa, and that requires incision and drainage.
 In a few cases the acute inflammation sub- sides under such treatment, but the trouble does not clear up entirely, and some slight swelng thickenipg and soreness or tender,
  call for different treatment.
 An occasional painting of the skin surround ing the knee cap with iodin is advisable. that upon the point of the knee Once in 10 days is sufficient for this this
 When there is no longer sSarp pain or ten derness gentle massage for few minutes sey- eral times day is helpful. Grasp the knee with the hand and squeeze the skin and soft tissues over the bone repeatedly, as though wringing them out.
 weeks the bursa should be surgically removed and pad of fat substituted if there is suf- ficient subcutaneous fat near the wound to make flap.
 It is interesting to note that the chief cause of pain and disability in bunion is infiamma- tion of the bursa over the head of the metatar- sal bone of the great toe. y
 These are only few samples of the troubles we have from inflammation or infection of these anatomical cushions
 recently developed mode of treatment, di- athermy, when available. perhaps gives more relief than any other remedy and in many cases of bursitis. In any situation. daily dia- thermy applications for Q week or two will rem der surgical intervention unnecessary.
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
 Visible PulsatiOns
 Is 1t true s .ns o ec ps 8 very high blood pressure? (Mrs E.. S.D
 Answer-No. Close scrutiny in the right light will reveal pulsations at these and other places in any normal person.
 Who's Q Fool?
 | am S3 years old and in excellent health, thanks largely to following your advice. get a lot of fun out of life. Please send your recipe for fool-proof cough medicine. This Is not for myself, as am neverfrOubled with such things but for q friend. '(K. s. E.)
 Answer--Th That's what we all think of our friends who need treatment. I have similar conception of all ailing laymen. So please send your friends address on stamped envelope and will mall the girl the recipe and instruc- tions, with your compliments.
 Jaundicc
 Sister who the doctor says has galIstones suddenly turned n deep yellow color. Doctor said sblle in blood" Just how does bile get into the blood? {P. C.l
 Answer-A stone or inhammatory swelling or colic spasm obstructs a bile duct. and more or less of the bile pigment is re-absorbed into the blood from the bile that accumulates in the pool behind the obstruction.