The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-06-17

joint, or the joint symptoms may have been so slight that no attention was paid to them. So-called "grow- ing pains" in child who has had repeated sore throat or trouble with the tonsils should arouse suspicion and receive proper medical atten- ton, Acute infectious arthritis is Q rather frequent sequel of scarlet fever, and endocarditis may develop with or without apparent joint inc volvement in the course of chorea (St Vitus' dance). Removal of inc fected (not merely enlarged tonsils preferably by diathemy (electro-co- agulation), in my Judgment prevents arthritis, valvular disease or chorea in many cases.
 Unfortunately we have no way of preventing such consequences of sore throat or the cri. But the orig inal respiratory infections may be prevented, if people will only prac- tice the golden rule of hygiene. We can't go into this at sufficient length here. It is clearly set forth in Little Lesson in the Way of Health No. 6, "Call 1t Cri."
 Probably the most familiar form of arthritis is chronic infectious arthritis. Infectious means of bac- terial character, not necessarily cor1- municable. This form of arthritis Is caused by focal infection. That is, the bacteria first establish indus or breeding place in some part of the body, such as the tonsil, about the root of @ tooth, in a sinus, or in Q septic focus elsewhere, and eventually travel through the blood stream to gain a new foothold in the lining of one or more joints. It would seem that other factors than infection must be concerned, else few of us could escape arthritis, but we do not know precisely what these other factors are. At present the best medical thought is that the state of nutrition has much to do with 1t. This will be discussed later
 Tn practice there Is one way to de- termine whether septic focus rec vealed by a search examination is the source of the trouble, in @ given case of chronic infectious arthritis and that is the therapeutic test. Re- move, clean out, drain, eradicate sterilize or disinfect the septic focui and see whether the joint trouble presently begins to improve. If Il doesn't, the darn doctor was just guessing. If 1t does prove success. full, say no more about 1t. That'i human nature.
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
 Corn Meal
 We get corn meal ground in old fashioned mill with stone grinder Some people say 1t is too fattenine and to cheating to eat in summer (H. O.
 Answer-Pound of corn ineal yielrs 1850 calories, contains 4.2% fat 7.5% protein, 65.0% carbohydrate Pound of white flour yields 1850 cal. ories, contains 1.l% fat, 10.8s5 pro. tein, 76SS carbohydrate. don't know why people imagine corn meal is "heating' or "fattening."
 The Old All Bl
 l do not eat lot but my food seems to 60 mostly to fat and if ] try to reduce by not eating l gel sick and dizzy (Mrs. c. K)
 Answer-You do not mention your ago. ge-height-weight. Suppose for ex- ample you are 40 pounds overweight You were probably 40 months acc quiring the superfluous. You should plan to devote at least 70 weeks tc getting rid of 1t. If you follow ra- tional, psychological reduction re- gimen you need never suffer weak ness, dizziness or other distress while reducing. Send ten cents coin and stamped envelope bearing your address, for booklet Design for Dwindling."
 Is there any sugar in escarole Cchicory greens)? (Mrs. J. O.
 Answer-An insignificant amount perhaps, as much as spinach con- tains, for example.
 Mice and Plmples
 Your booklet "Unbidden Guests proved a valuable find for us--it helped us get rid of a swarm oi mice. Now please tell me what to do for a boy of IS who has 8 lot of pimples on his face (B. D. W.)
 Answer-Send stamped envelope bearing the boys address, for mono graph on blackheads and pimples (acne). The booklet contains advice for dealing with insect, parasitic and other unwelcome guests. For copy send ten cents coin and stamped addressed envelope.
 Navel Dressing
 I find myself becoming Q practical nurse. Please tell me how to dresl the newborn baby's navel, so the gauge won't stick. (Mrs. J. D.
 Answer--Apply some sterile petro- Iatum Ceither boil the tin containei