The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-02-23
ANOTHER VIEW BEFORE AND AFTER

A tuberculosis patient in a hospital writes long letter describing his experience, from the beginning of the illness up to the present The letter closes with fine after-thought:
 "Give me the super-conscientious doc
 tor at all times in preference to the care
 less one even if the former is more eXpen-
 sve.'
 The patient says his illness began with pleur isy with effuson ffuid accommodating in the chest). He had the care of the best of spe- cialists,' and the fluid was repeatedly aspirated from the chest. The specialists seemed unable to make a definite diagnosis But they were conscientious specialists, and they finally sent the patient to distant city to another special ist who they thought might be able to dlag- nose the nature of the illness.
 The big city specialist examined and studied the patient over period of ten days He was puzzled and in turn sent the patient to hos pital where he said they would make closer study. In the hospital another specialist was conscientious enough to admit he was stumped, and this specialist sent the patient to place where they were better equipped 10 deal with such cases.
 In the last hospital the patient was given various tests, X-ray examinations'and what not. As he says-"While these doctors were Scrat ching their heads and trying to dope 1t out Nature healed me. All of this was very ex- pensive and a large part of the money was spent in following the advice of doctors who were simply trying to anticipate the possibility of tuberculosis perhaps cancer. However, they have my praise instead of condemnation, despite the cost.
 Then the patient goes on to tell thc eXpcrl- ences of five other patients in the same hos pital. Each had gone to physician early in his illness and had received some prescription and the advice to return if the trouble didn't clear up in few days. Three of them, includ- ing an athlete, had hemorrhages before their physicians recognized the disease, or frankly diagnosed tuberculosis.
 From his experience, well as the stories of these other patients the correspond ent concludes that little carefulness about the examination at the first visit to the physician would improve the record of the modern treatment of tuberculosis. '.
 There is some extenuation for the careless ness of the doctor about making thorough examination the first time the patient comes to his notice. Many patients positively decline 10 submit to any very complete physical exam ination then. Others require good deal Of per suasion the part of the doctor to go through with such examination. Perhaps the majority of patients resent the effort of the doctor when he does try to carry out complete eXamina- ton at the first consultation. We need not dis cuss the reasons for such attitude. Suffice that I testify as experienced practitioner it is very difficult to apply such conSclentious meth ods in general practice.
 If, as in the majority of cases, the cXamina- ton fails to disclose anything serious, the doc tors has tried to exaggerate the gravity of the trouble he has just run up big bill,
 It is regrettable, but it is so.
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
 Dilated Venules
 Appearance of capilIaries above tho ankle and under the knee. (M. O.
 Answer7-They are dilated venues. trial size varicose veins. Physician skilled in chemical obliteration of varicose vein clear them up for you.
 One Kidney
 One of my kidneys was removed some while ago. Could you suggest a diet for a man with one kidney? GA. F.)
 Answer-No special diet is necessary. You need only be more careful about overindulging in any kind of food
 Knees Limbcred While You Weight have been using your IOdin Ration since last May. I has helped me much am able to return 10 work. My knees were very sore and stif and they about well and am feel ing fine. Thank you. GA. w. M.) Answer-John J. Coincidence probably had hand in it. At that, hypothyroidisms might be a large factor in such trouble, and the Iodin Ration improves thyroid function. Men and women who go stale. weary fiabby, gray and melancholic in the fortics need an iodin ration. Send dime and stamped envelope bearing your address and ask for instructions for talk ing iodin ration.