The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-05-06
PLASTER CASTS ARE AN OTHER OLD
SPANISH CUSTOM

I have referred repeatedly to the radical
operation for removal of tonsils (by snare and
guillotine) as an old Spanish custom, meaning
It IL O fne old method but rather crude and
torturcsome compared with the modern meth
cd by dathcrmy. I estimate that for every
time have uttered this seeming Islander a
score Of nose and throat specialists have
wished me some place where newspa pers don't
circulate. But on the other hand. really be
lieve that every time have uttered the SEEM
Ing SANDER one good man somewhere has
stopped scofflng and arranged TO receive tech
meal instruction in the now method BY some
master who demonstrates the technic in clinic.
Every little while we hear that some friend
has suffered an injury Of some kind and 10 now
In q plaster cast. 1t sounds a lot worse than It
Ia, IL you are not familiar with such matters.
But at best 1t IL pretty bad. II 10 30 bad that
think am scientifically justified in saying that
a plaster cast In any stage Of the treatment Of
fracture, disocation or orthopedic deformity or
ought to DO discarded some time In the present
century. but probably will not be. And when
say cast here mean casing entirely sur
rounding the limb or body rigid and unyicld-
Ing. I am not referring to plaster Of Paris
splints or molds.
The purpose Of plaster casts was to immobll-
Ice the injured or defective limb and to retain
the structures In tho position desired by physi-
clan or surgeon.
Vhat purpose is always accomplished quite
as effectively by suitable splints. Either tho
splints as soon It has set or else II should be
applied only two-thirds or thrce-fourths OF the
way around the limb or body, II II Is not In
tended to remove 1t daily for inspection. gentle
massage and passive movement OF the joints
near the injury.
When doctor applies cast encircling the
even weeks he may DO following Ane old tradi-
lions but he Ia certainly not giving the victim
Of fracture the benefit If modern surgical
u mot an 9a icy as would
remove at least one for inspection Of the limb
every day, and begin gentle daily massage and
passive bending Of the Joint or Joints IN , ah.'
Zone half OF the cast) on tho limb after tho
second week. and that for not longer than six
weeks. OF course circumstances alter cases
I am giving fair average rules
1t Is the old timers In the profession who es'
tablish what the courts would call good stand
ard practice. 50 that any doctor VINO sun fol-
lows old established standards IN the treatment
OF every day fractures would have no trouble
at all In aiigning all kinds Of eminent expert
witnesses to testify that the old Spanish meth;
cd is all right just as plenty OF tho medical
elders today are still making q major operation
out Of tho removal of infected tonsiis.
But I'm telling you what's what, and let me
know X you find physician or standing VINO
dares to contradict me.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
The Grade Of Milk.
What IN the difference between Certified MILK
and Grade A Pasteurixcd? Which In more
n0urishing? "a. ~
Answer--Certifcd milk ID the finest available
milk for any one and especially for the baby.
ANY milk IL pasteurixed n It has been heated
TO las degrees +. for 20 or 80 minutes, this par
ease germs which are not unlikely to be pres
ent in ordinary market. milk. Although no
milk ia superior to Certified In nourishing value
likely to be interior to II in purity II Certified
milk Is available and one can afford It. It 10 the
best for infants, children or invalids But any
them. Certified ~ the only grade Of raw milk
whose purity may be relied upon at all times.