The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-06-10
CHRONIC APPENDICITIS IS A TENTATIVE
 DIAGNOSIS

| A tentative diagnosis is a kind of trial and error plan. If a doctor with ponderous per | sona1ity and not too light q thumb decides aft- | CT hearing the patients plaint and palpitating | his southwest territory that the trouble IS chronic appendicitis, the chances are that the case will come to operation. When we operate on a patient for appendicitis that sort of makes | the diagnosis irrevocable. Statistics are pretty tricky in a matter like this, but estimate that 80 per cent of the cases of chronic appendicitis are of the irrevocable type.
 In his book on Nervous Indigestion" (Hoeb- CT, New Yorh) pr w. C. Alvarez ayers that the symptoms of peptc ulcer when fairly typical should be recognized as soon as the patient has said fifty words. The author does not list the fifty words, but one gathers they Include Il a. m.. 4 D. m. and 2 o'clock in the morning. Distress relieved promptly by taking food or akalis. Man aged thirty years. Trouble peri odic-bothers for few months. then between attacks patient feels fine and can eat anything. The X-ray examination, often looked upon as positive proof, is actually of little value, ex- cept in a negative way. That is, where the pa tient's symptoms and the doctors examination may suggest chronic appendicitis the x-ray picture may show little or nothing abnormal In the appendix but perhaps definite indication or
 am quite fond of operations myself espe- ciaIly appendicitis operations. Looking back upon my own experience l can only regret had but one appendix to give up. But To nate to be operated on for such a vague and uncer- tain thing as chronic appendicitis. believe I'd rather grouse along with Indigestion
  attack of acute inflammation In the southwest territory, then if symptoms persist for months after the acute illness 1t Is fair bet that re- moval of the appendix will prove curative.
 At present the diagnosis of chronic appen- dicitis must be tentative in the great majority of cases, whether there Is any corroborative X-ray evidence or not It Is another instance of taking your doctors opinion or not, accord ing to your confidence in his honesty and abil- ity.
 It occurs to me that q considerable num- her ff in diagnosis of chronic appendicitis Is made may be actual ly masked Deptic ulcer. Anyway 1t can do no ment test--follow diet suitable for one which pcptic (gastric or duodena) ulcer Tor rev weeks and perhaps take alkalis along with 1t. If this brings marked relief 1t casts doubt the of the trouble. An outline of such U diet will be sent to any reader who asks for 1t and incloses q stamped envelope bearing his address No clippings will suffice. as long as or Doc Brady conducts this column. Nothing arouses my spleen so much asa clipping of my own Satt oTEsrioNs Sfns 1S s AND p ANSWERS S ''''
 Company Doctors in Error
 Looks as though your campaign to get tho arm out from under the ncad IS stih onc- man movement. Here is the insurance conn Dany's bulletin on artificial respiration by the prone pressure method, and you see the cOnl- pany's doctors arc quite firm about It. (A. C.. @
 Answer--I do not expect the little fellows who are employed by corporations to correct the error as long as the high salaried birds in the employ of the Red Cross persist in lifting the victims mouth high enough to prevent ready drainage of water or other fluid from tho breathing passages. Readers who would like to be prepared to give their own loved ones or even strangers the best possible chance in case of resuscitation may send stamped en- velope bearing the return address, and we will mali copy of booklet giving the correct method of artificial respiration, with illustra- tons.
 Thyroid Pills Dangerous for Amateurs
 I weighed 182 pounds. began taking thy- roid pills, two grains each, three times day, and in three weeks reduced IF pounds Now I find I am very shaky and cannot get to sleep nights. | have not restricted my dict at alI I have taken the thyroid pills without doctors orders. (B. S.)
 Answer--And if you keep on you'll be taking q ride out 10 Grcensward without a doctors or- ders. The use of such q powerful weapon by
 (copyrIght John r. Diile Col