The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-03-19

Wiseacres not too deeply hypno- tized by plausible food specialists" should earnestly endeavor to dismiss from their minds the notion that mucous is abnormal or pathological and that the appearance of an ex- cess of 1t in the dejecta is a sign of serious trouble and indicates the need of an enema or irrigation or bowel wash to "clear 1t out"
 Mucus secreated by the colon is not in itself harmful in any way nor poisonous" to the individual in any circumstance. On the contrary, whether the mucus Is ordinary or extraordinary in quantity, 1t serves rather to PROTECT against harm by irritation or from injury by any poisonous substance which may be present.
 When there is an increased flow of mucus one could scarcely resort to course more likely to aggravate and prolong the trouble than is a so-called colon irrigation or bowel wash or enema of any description. Such unnatural interference invar- iably excites an increased flow of mucus-nature's self-defense against such irritation. Pathetic is the state of the Wiseacre who gets into the enema or bowel wash habit-a vi- cious circle which insidiously ex- hauStS Vite and destroys phySiOlog- ical residence.
 Frequent enemas, temporarily re- moving the normal mucus which is so necessary as softener and lubricant for the delicate mu- cous membrane, predispose to local infections by robbing the mucosa of its natural protection against coarse, rough or foreign bodies and its na- tural safeguard against bacterial in- vasion.
 Application of medicaments by enema, irrigation, etc., is valuable aid in treating certain conditions, under the supervision of the physi- clan. Frequent or habitual use of so-called cleansing" enemas is harmful. They prevent proper per- istaltic action and sometimes cause dilation of the colon. It is not ad- visable to use enemas in any circum- stances except under the advice and specific instruction of the physician.
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
 Merits
 What are the relative merits of Ca remedy offered as an antiseptic and germicide) and iodine? Is it true that iodine burns the tissue2 (E. H. M)
 Answer-I move aside various samples or trial packages of the remedy you mention to get the iodin when need a first aid disinfectant and have to buy tincture of io- din under its official Pharmaco- poeial spelling of iodine, at that. A single application of tincture of io- dine (durn 'em) as universally ad- vised for first aid diSinfection of wounds, does not burn tissues, al- thougt 1t bites like everything for 8 moment. Repeated applications of iodin should be made only under in- dividual medical advice. The mo- mentary smarting upon application of iodin-as for sensitive canker sores in the mouth-is followed by relief of irritation, pain or soreness which compensates one for the bite. Then, too, I have more confidence in the disinfectant efficiency of iodin. Two Bad
 More than two weeks ago I wrote you niclosing a 'satmped self-ad- dressed envelope. Have never heard from you. co. FL
 About week ago I requested that you send me some monographs. Up to the present time have not re- ceived same. (H. K.)
 Answer-If you would indicate what you asked for, 1t would be con- venient.
 | Hay Fever
 | Please tell me how to take the cal- cium lactate for hay fever. have been a sufferer for several years and my season begins about the first of June. (P. H. B.
 Answer-Take ten grains of call cium lactate three times day after meals for eight or ten weeks. With 1t be sure to get . daily ration of vitamin D. Send stamped envelope bearing your address, for monograph on hay fever.
 ] Copyright 1888. John ?. Dille Co.,