The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-04-03

like that--it took thirty years to break the habit after got away from her influence, though still clean my nails from time to time. The motto must have been devised by an old gink of forty or fifty with arterioSclerosis, hyperchlorhy d r i a and multiple ayitaminosis. The motto always discouraged me, not that I cared much about growing oaks, but because of the epigram- matic gag line underneath, which said yuo can grow squash in six months. Six months was practically a lifetmie then and a century was eternity, yet the thought of living century had a morbid effect on my imagination. I have often wished the maxim maker had been aware that 1t takes a thousand years to grow 8 Sequoia, which would have added the appeal of alliteration to his work-alliteration is always de- sireable if not too obviously labored. Even a first class redwood requires 600 years to develop, and happily a radiSh natures in as many hours. In eight short years, now, have grown trees Eucalyptus, poplar) as tall as any oak, elm or maple, beautiful trees to balance the landscape, use- full trees wehe shade or windbreak is needed.
 A brave old oak stood few feet from the front corner of vacant lot along our street. Every resident along the street participated in the sense of dignity that fine tree gave to the neighborhood. But, alas, the bird that bought the lot found the oak in the line of his drive and down came the oak rather than to go to all the expense and bother of curving the drive around 1t. The bird was not formally committed for dementia. however, until he began aSsaulting children. The oak might as well have been 8 spruce or cedar.
 In this column August 3l, 1sso, I said:
 Now serve notice that I con- template launching propaganda in behalf of an alternative treatment of hernia for patients who cannot or will not undergo the radical opera ton. I have not yet completed my investigation but as soon as I have all the data shall announce the method here Thousands and thousands of men and perhaps a smaller number of women drag through life with a hernia that Is not only constant source of dis comfort and a handicap to efficiency but a menace Up to now I have believed that operation is the ONLY cure for hernia and that EV- FRY patient with hernia of more than years standing should un- dergo operation It will give me great joy if can approve of the alternative method and recommend it to the public"
 Six weeks later I brought to the attention of newspaper readers the ambulant or injection treatment of hernia, and for the next i've years kept hammering wayay at it, as I had done earlier in popularizing di- athermy extirpation of tonSils as an alternative for the grievous guilli- tine and snare operation, in both instances at the expense of a good deal of severe criticism by certain big noises in the medical profession. Today the ambulant or injection treatment of hernia is successfully used in suitable cases by the best : physicians everywhere. Oaks are all very well but there are other trees. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
 Eye Wash
 | What is the proper strength of boric acid in water for an eye wash or eye drops? What is the proper strength of salt in water for the same purposes? Is plain waten all right for dropping or bathing the eyes? Is 1t ever advisable to use both salt and boric acid in eye wa ter? (S. M. T)
 Answer-Heaping teaspoonful of boric acid in the pint of boiled wa- ter. Or same quantity of table salt in the pint of boiled water. Both may be used together if you prefer. Plain water smarts and irritateS and should never be put in the eye.
 Unbdiden Guests
 Do you advise how to eradicate such pests as bedbugs and cock