The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1932-03-25
CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT OF ToNsrLs

A teacher In one of the leading medical
schools, with long experience in private ana
clinic practice. writes:
weather affecting the size Of the tonsils.
How long is 1t going to take tho profession
to learn that the tonslis vary greatly III SIZE
from time to time and can enlarge over
night There are three classes OF ton
sis. Namely what we generally regard as
normal tonsils; the hypertrop ppm , Hwma
tonsils. Infected tonsils constitute approx
imately 2 per cent Of all we examine.
The confusion between simply swollen
tonsils and hypertrophed tonsils Is almost
constant . and that confusion is large
factor in the tonsllectomy scandal.
Even q good physician cant tell by the APP
nenrance OF the tonsils whether they are just
swollen hypertrophied or infected. In order to
make an accurate diagnosis the physician must
feel of the tonsil with his finger or an lnstru-
Beware the tin doctor who decides tonsils or
adenoids must come out without troubling 10
make such an examination.
The tonsiectomy scandal IL fading from our
national consciousness now, but here and there
the people are SO benighted that nurses or
other unqualified assistants can 90 out ana
and run 'em through the clinic to have the
tonsils and hypothetical adenoids removed
wholesale by the tyros who haunt such places
seeking opportunity to get bit or experience
or mayhap an occasional fee.
Although the medical profession now takes
a more conservative view OF tonsils than IN
principle that the successful treatment In many
cases of chronic arthritis and other troubles
demands the removal Of focus or indus OF
infection in the tonsils. This Is not theory
but a we'll established principle Of good sound
practice. ,,,.,
The removal, destruction, sterilization or
disinfection Of such an infected area In the
tonsil is not necessarily major operation
however. Modern refnements OF skill ana
equipment enable the well trained physician TO
eradicate such focus Of infection In the tons
,yith
tom or even to grave hazard. The method
which makes this possible Is called diathermy
should choose for myself II I were suffering
from any chronic disease due to focal infection
In the tonss.
this method usually requires half dozen or
more sittngs at intervals Of several days or
week. But In many instances 1t happens that
the infection focus Is reached and completely
steriized or disinfected at the first or second
treatment, and Immediately the patient expert
ences Improvement in the systemic trouble as
q consequence of eradication of the septic
source.
When that happens, there is no particular
reason for continuing the treatment further
Uninfected tonsil tissue in the throat can do no
harm.
The modern method is highly conservative
The old Spanish method (guillotpe and snare
tonsillectomy) is crude, blind, radical and, In
my Judgment, scarcely justifable In COM
munty where modern skill and equipment are
available.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Depilation
You sent me. ut my request, a pamphlet on
piles and constipation, and am glad to report
that after following out the suggestions there
inI have had excellent results, the former trou-
BILE being much better and the latter quite cor
rectcd. Mrs NJ Az
Answer-Readers who wish advice about
either both troubles please inclose stamped
addressed envelope, say that you have the
trouble (if you do not say so, no advice Will be
sent) and be sure the signature OF your letter
agrees with the name on the return stamped
envelope. We cannot send a reply unless these
plain conditions complied with. Too
many correspondents neglect to sign their let
tiers. No matter whether stamped addressed
envelope is inclosed, an unsigned letter will not
be answered.
The Prairie the Prairie
Please publish u way to get rid of itch. be-
Hcvc IL Is the common prairie itch. I'll. To-
Answer-Cuban. Italian, Spanish, Scandina-
Wan, and other imposing names are commonly
applied to scabies. which our grandmothers
grmly characterized as just plain Itch Some
wiseacres who aim to beat the doctor call II
seven year itch" Scabies intelligently treated
need not last seven days. or II vigorously and
properly treated as soon as the rash begins II
may be cured In seven hours. Not all that
itches Is scabies. II you have not had your
Doctors advice about 1t YOU cannot be sure
your trouble Is scables II you are sure about
II. send stamped addressed envelope and men.
ton your trouble.
Copyright John +. Ollie Coz