The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-09-05
A~READER TELLS THE DOCTOR

A reader sends in q bit of cnlightenment
 any soivn with netroie,;m bose s esnecia,iv
 on large area, as on chest. He says the skin cannot function through petroleum as
 through animal fat and when sick with
 pneumonia or influenza one needs every pos-
 slble square inch of skin. He says remedial
 value of menthol. etc. Is more than offset
 by loss of skin area.
 This seems important Think of the poor
 kids with terrible coughs whose fond but
 misguided mans smear Q thick coat of
 chests, putting q third of their pores out
 of commission throwing extra load on kid- ,neys and prolonging tho illness.
 I cannot agree with your teachings on
 oxygen and carbon dioxide in the Lir we
 breathe. You say the presence of carbon
 dioxide In increased volume in the air acts
 depth of breathing, thus offsetting lack of
 oxygen. AS if six persons could work all
 day in small mir tight office and, merely
 by breathing faster and deeper, feel as
 well as though they had worked in q well
 ventilated room!
 As u matter of fact, breathing becomes more difficult, mind mind less keen, eyes tire
 faster, appetite poorer etc. and nausea.
 Get the - Life Insurance Co.'S
 literature and study up. am sure they are interested In longevity.
 Brushing teeth may not do any good,
 but 1t certainly Is disgusting to be forced
 to talk with person whose teeth are
 packed with decayng food. Phew!
 Probably c. l.. F. means petrolatum base not petroleum. Soft petroatum is the com mon base for ointments or saves. In England .it Is called paraffin soft parafin. The liquit petrolatum, commonly known as mineral oil fl this country, Is also called liquid paraffn il England. l do not understand why the docto should object to the use of salve or ointmen with petrolatum base if he does not object t, similar remedies made with lard, olive oil o other animal or vegetable fats as base. I an sure our correspondent has wrong in,pres sion if he imagnes the objection is ''plugging oi the pores". No physician seriously imagines any breathing is done through the skin.
 c. L. E. ascrbes to Ole Doc Brady som weird teachings concerning the carbon dioxid in the air we breathe have never made am such contention. In resuscitation, of course the admixture of from to 10 of carbon diox ide with the air or the oxygen the subject in hales under prone-pressure manipulation is great help. It stimulates deeper and nor rapid breathing in of the air oxygen arti ficial respiration compels the dead or uncon scious subject to breathe. But I have neve contended that an increased volume of carbol circumstances. However, the familiar effect of vitiated or foul air, mentioned by c. L. F are not due to too much carbon dioxide or t, too little oxygen in the air of the room, bu rather to stiffness of the air, lack of motion lack of draft, and secondarily to increased which factors combine to interfere with tn normal cooling of the body.
 l have looked over some of the Literature of the insurance corporation mentioned by tn in the form of a college students examination papers I'd mark the lot C. Certain obvious O. self-evident ruths are set forth in the insurance company pretty pamphlets, but at the sam time good deal of stuff and pffle is solemnl. served with the good sense.
 Come around and chat with me sometime c. l.. D.. I'll brush my teeth thoroughly before you arrive.