The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-10-17
DIATHERMY VERSUS THE OLD
SPANISH CUSTOM

We're going to hold a plebiscite
land I'd like to wager all our readers
on the pronunciation of it, upon the
question of the method of choice TO.
the treatment of infected tonsils.
So far as the conductor Is con-
cerned the question has been settled
by the great number of enthusiastic
letters received from readers who
have had the diathermy treatment.
But I gather that good many un-
enlightened laymen are still accept
ing the old Spanish method-that is,
the guillotine and snare-and taking
their chances on the several compli-
cations which happen in a certain
number of cases when the older
method Of tonsillectomy is employed,
no matter how skilful the operator.
Among the letters received from pa
tents who have had the diathermy
method there have been a few ex-
pressing dissatisfaction. One from ar
editor out west who, being wise
acre. went to some manufacturer of
physicians equipment who referred
the wiseacre to a good customer who
had just bought some diathermy ap-
paratus The editor didn't like the
bungling of the amateur. Well. what
weight has such a yodel against the
delight and gratitude expressed by
most patients who have received the
diathermy treatments from physicians
skilled in the technic?
AS 1 have said before. I should have
no other method for my own tonsils,
and I should advise no other method
for anyone who can procure the
services of a RESPONSIBLE physi-
clan of good repute or standing who
has had the necessary clinical in
struction in the special technic of
diathermy.
In the past few years I have re
ferred many correspondents to such
physicians in all parts of the coun-
try Certainly not all of them re-
ceived the diathermy treatment, but
that most of them did, and were
pleased with the results they expert
enced, know from the letters they
wrote me later.
Now I want to hear both the pro
and the con of this tonsil question.
I don't care for expressions of anna
teur opinions or for second hand
stories or hearsay. What I should
like is a letter from every reader who
has had any method of treatment
for infected or even for enlarged
tonsils. and what he or she thinks
about the method of treatment. This
invitation is intended for those who
have undergone the regular or old
fashion surgical tonsillectomy AS well
as for those who have undergone
ether methods If only handful OF
readers should trouble to vote in this
plebiscite, it won't mean anything
But if we can prevail upon few
thousand to give us their views it will
have telling significance.
Although, as I said. have had a
few reports from diathermy patients
who were dissatisfied, I have never
heard of any serious or fatal COM
p!icaticns from this method OF treat
ment. ] wish We could say as much
for the old Spanish method, but un-
fortunately we can't. and the disas-
trous complications of the standard
ouillotine and snare method of hack
ing out tcnsils-I use the term hack
ing advisedly and I have the evidence
to warrant the term-which seem
quite unavoidable and happen In the
best regulated hospitals or surgerie5.
will, I believe. ultimately turn the
scales against the bloody method and
constrain all true physicians to adopt
the diathermy method in all cases
where it is applicable.