The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-01-12
LOWERING THE pHysIcK DEATH RAFT

formed concerning physiology, hygiene and pathology, complacently assume that in any circumstances one makes no mistake In taking a brisk cathartie even if no further seif-treat. ment is attempted.
 In my opinion catharis rarely does any good In any ease Of acute illness or indispostion. Let uh | opnon; yours Is just q notion. offer my opin' ion for the benefit of your hoalth. Take it oi leave t, but do not ask me to give serious con. slderation to your amateur notion. That's the trouble with too many lay wiseaeres In thci, snug ignoranee-of physiology, hygiene and pathology-thoy are inclined 10 respect theiT own crude notions more than they do the knowledge or teachings Of physicians.
 There Is no question that popular iaxatlves purgatives or eatharties such as castor oil | salts, ealomel, aloes, and various disguised connections or modifieations Of these, do good deal of harm in many mild chronic ailments We haven't space .o give details about the un' toward effects of physlek here, either I'm tell. physieian knows. You are not compelled to be. iiove it is 50.
 In Philadelphia a survey made by q physician indicated that the city has the lowest death rate from appendicitis of any city In tho Unite cd States with population in excess of 300.. 900 Ohore arc 20 such eities). Phadeiphia'i rate Is 14.4, Indianapolis i6.3, In Los Angeles i6,3 in Rochester ibs, in New York 16.0 In Chicago is.9. in Louisville iss. In Buffalo ie'6 n Milwaukee 20,b, In Newark 22.6, In Cincin' natl 241. In Kansas City ?0.4
 | Tho moral to be drawn from tho figures is not to hurry to Philadelphia if you think you're coming down with appendicitis. Tho low nor. talty rate In Philadelphia Is due to two factors | First. tho public educational campaign carried on there 10 warn people about'tho danger ol taking physieks when any acute abdominal distress calls for relief. Second, the education of tho public about the importance Of prompt treatment of such m illness as appendieitli and the danger of delay when surgery is nee' | esaary,
 Even comparatively mild laxatives such a' milk Of magneia, easeara, mineral oil, Bonn1 connections, when given to patient suffering with acute appendicitis, may cause perforatior and general peritonitis. Enomas are Just as ob jeetonable aB ordinary laxGtives in such cases
 Absolute rest and external heat are the best and safest home remedies to use while awaiting
 The medical societies and the municipal health departments in these cities with the higher death rates from appendicitis, owe il to the public to do some educational work aft CT the fashion that has proved so effective h Philadelphia.
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
 Irrigating
 How much water should person drink. and wbs does plenty Of water aid eiiminatlon' e.
 Answer--From one to two quarts daily, much moro if ono works or plays hard or if tho weather Is very warm. Water is the natural solvent
 nabics
 l. Can well dog get rabies fr0m chewing on wood or bOnes that q rabId dog has ehcwed . few days bef0feY
 2. 4 veterinary put his fingers in the moutI, T rnbld dog he had just killed. Was no liable Q get hydr0phObia7
 T. Does bydropbobia yIrus die with tic dog? | l. How long does k take person to get | ISdr0pbObia?
 | [. How long does quarantine on dog last? C. Is it necessary to take every dog bite tO c doctor oven if ft Is only c scratch and h e gwen accidentally by yOur own dog? (Mrs c, | B) Answer-Apparently you regard "hydropho. bla' as distinct in some way from rabies. The disease rabies Is the same, whether in animal or in man. There is no sense in calling it Thy. drophobla." l., Yes. 2. No, rabies. [. Nobody knows for nobody has ever Identified rabies virus. {. Authorities say tho incubation (tlme from infection to development Of nrst' symptom | Of iiiness) is anywhere from six weeks to sev. erai months. 6. Six months {. No ordinary soap and water washing Of the wound or scratch, then q single swabbing with IHeture of iodlD, and . suitable dressing e prevent sub. sequent ordinary infection, is adequate care, in my opinion. (PoFg0najiy still doubt that rabieA occurs in man, though I'd have the Pasteuf f ' any good phyyieian advised me 70 hays it)