The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-06-15

Beriberi, in Singhalese, means extreme weakness.
 The cause of beriberi is prolonged deprivation or deficiency of vitamin B. For example the outer coat of rice grains is rich in vitamin B; the inner part of the grain contains lit- tie or none. Hence in countries where rice is the staple food beriberi prevails in proportion with the cus- tom or practice of using polished rice instead of the plain brown rice. The process of polishing rice to make it white robs it of nearly all its vita min B. The polishings so removed from the rice kernels are indeed now in considerable demand as an ex- cellent source of vitamin B to SUD- plement our refined diet here in America.
 Beriberi, extreme weakness. Keep that in mind.
 Now, here is a typical American case-well, anyway, Yankee case. Married woman aged 65 years, had never weighed over hundred pounds, sometimes under a hundred, thought five feet one inch tall and a woman that tall should weigh from 120 to 130 pounds from 21 to 50 years of age.
 By steady deterioration this wom- an became gradually disabled and was taken to a hospital when her weight had declined to 59 pounds. Needless to say she had little vite. Indeed, her relatives were summoned to the bedside and once or twice it seemed the end had come. As many physicians or specialists had been consulted at various stages of her long chronic illness, the physician in attendance at the last illness asked the nearest relatives for consent for a necropsy and this consent was signed %
 But the little woman had some- thing, vite or no vite. She began to gain. She added weight week by week, and in the course of three months was back home, the life of the party, completely cured.
 Her illness was multiple neuritis, alcoholic. She had been living on alcohol-and desiring and taking less and less food, or perhaps rejecting food when she did take it. All she wanted was another drink, and she could still oxidize enough alcohol to keep her alive, if such existence can be called living-helpless, useless, a burden and a shame to her nearest | and dearest. I said this was a typi- cal Yankee case.
 What cured the polyneuritis, the oeriberi? Vitamin B, of course. The last doctor made the patient take | several ounces of wheat germ daily first steamed or boiled few min- utes into 8 mush or porridge, later in various breads, biscuits, cakes, and raw mixed with orange or tomato juice or other beverage. Each ounce of wheat germ contains approxi- mately $50 units of vitamin B. Nor nal days ration. of vitamin B for healthy adult is perhaps 300 to 900 units.
 Adams Apple
 What causes so called Adams ap- pie? How can it be removed or les sened to some degree? How long will it take? (G. F0
 Answer-Prominence of the cricoid cartilage of the larynx or voice-box. It would be less prominent if the posture were corrected by suitable exercise and additional weight were 
 Spinal Curvature
 Girl, g, slight congenital lateral When this was discovered ten years ago was advised not to carry anything heavy. Now wish to work as canvasser, requiring that carry case weighing ten pounds or more, several hours day, from door to door. What would you sug- gest? (M. M)
 AnsWer-Probably it will not be a strain now. Why not divide the load into two cases and carry one in each hand? Or at least change every min- ute or SO from one hand to the other.
 Copyright 1887, John F. Dille Co)