The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-02-19
CLEARING UP THE ASTHMA MYSTERY

Having satisfied himself by examination and
the process Of exclusion that the patient Is not
suffering from mere renal or cardiac dyspnoea
or from emphyscma or from chronic bronchhls
with bronchiectasis the modern physician re-
CARDS true asthma the periodic attacks OF
laborcd breathing of which the patient COM
plains. The old timer, perhaps, was content
to accept the patients own diagnosis. some OF
the time the patient is right in assuming his
trouble is real asthma, but he Is certainly
wrong if he thinks anybody can have asthma
all the time. Asthma, like migralne or cpl
1epsy, is mysterious functional condition
which only in periodic seizures or at
tacks and never as a constant or permanent
disturbance. Between spells the most careful
physical examination dscloses nothing to snow
what ails the patient, in true asthma migra1ne
or epilepsy. The very best the physician can
do IL to note little clues which may arouse his
suspicious. but he can't be certain TIL ne sees
the patients attack, or at least mas sood nc.
scripton of the attack and a fair knowledge OF
the state of the patient in the interim.
The next step in the diagnosis Is the testing
of the patient for specific scnsitivty. Senstiv-
ty to what? Oh, any foreign protein sub
stance, albuminous, organic, animal or Vege-
table. and there are scores and scores or such
protein which found responsible for asth-
ma 1t Is probably essential that the protein
substance enter the body otherwise than wa
normal digestion, for instance by inhalation or
dust injection through the skin, or absorption
through some such lesion as an Intestinal ul-
Ger focus of infection In any part OF the
body. In some cases the protein substance
causing the asthma is of bacterial origin, or OF
parasitic origin. of insect origin, or from
animal emanaton (dandcr, hair) or feather OF
fowl, or pollen, dust, serum, or glue or
camcls hair in furniture coverings or Six or
shcllhsh white of egg or insect venom
Success in solving the mystery In any case
depends on the cooperation the patient gives
the physician and upon the patience the phySi-
elan takes in the quest The homeopathic prep
arations of all these hundreds OF protein sub
stances are arranged in groups. and usually the
patient is tested with a group OF perhaps
dozen protcns at a time. Each is applied TO a
minute scratch on the skin of the arm, accord
ing to Il standard plan, and the reaction, II any
noted. If the patient Is sensitive to the sub
stance 20 applied, little hive-llke circle OF
redncss occurs about the point within an hour
1t does not follow that the substance to
which the patient reacts Is accountable for the
asthma though positive reaction Is usually
significant Sometimes patient may be
highly sensitive to some protein yet nave no
asthma at all If he has, the asthma may ne
due to some other or to more than one such
substance. That is why 1t Is necessary to go
through the skin testing in a routine fashion
with at least selection from each group OF
protens.
once the patients secret Is thus disclosed,
the offending protein may be removed from
the patients environment, or the patient may
run away from it. or the patient may be i'm
munized against 1t. Wen see what can DC done,
in another talk
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
The Craving for Iron
/ take Uct MS call ~ complicated iron. Is
this the best for to strengthen me. IL. l..
81
Answer Ordinary everyday foods furnish
the most suitable iron for the needs OF the
blood and in ample quantity for any one. Such
foods are the yolk of egg, lean meats, prunes,
peas, lettuce, liver, cabbage, beans. bran spin
ach Gin fact all greens leafy reshes), mo-
lasses sorghum syrup.
Exercise for Hernia
heartily endorse your leg exercise for ward
ing OF approaching hernia. 1t has helped me
wonderfully.
Answer--At least the exercise Will do no
harm. The patient lies his back, supports
the hcrnial area with the middle fingers OF the
hand, and does a number of leg lifting move
ments first one leg, then the other. and then
both together each night and morning.
Internal Dcrahgcmcnt OF Knee
While working In my garden sprang up
from my knees too quickly and my doctor tells
me got II Iooscncd cartilage. He says IL Is best
removed. ~ this serious operation and will
10 leave a stiH knee? ! am now wearing pad
and firm baDdagc ON the knee. ut. CD
Answer--The operation Is minor one 1t IL
the best remedy for loose body In knee. 1t will
not leave the knee stiff. Short of the operation,
such support az you wear gives the best pro-
lection against trouble, but rarely brings per-
manent relief.
copyright John =. Ollie Col