The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-12-01
SEPTIC FLOODS IN GlNGlvITIs

SEf1IC FLOOuS IN UANGANl1IS
 Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums. Sometimes chronic gingivitis is known as Riggs's disease. Per- sons subject to chronic inflamma- ton of the gum and lining of the tooth sockets generally have poor health. Is the Riggs's disease re- sponsible for the impaired health? Or is the condition of the gums, tooth sockets and other tissues ot the mouth one of the manifesto tions of an underlying constitutions al condition which accounts also for the poor health?
 The answer to these questions is @ matter of opinion. It seems to me that the trend of professional opinion today is toward the belief that Riggs disease is rather one manifestation of nutritional de- ficiercy. The deficiency is probably a multiple deficiency in the intake, assimilation, utilization and reten- ton of vitamins D, A, B-complex and in some instances vitamin c; together with a deficiency in in- take, assimilation. utilization and retention of calcium and phos- phorus. I repeat I am merely try. ing to give what I think is the prevailing view of authorities to- day.
 Every medical practitioner and probably most dental practitioners see this incident in the course of chronic gingivitis: The patient suf- fers a sudden chill or chilly sen- sation and immediately assumes he or she is taking cold" That inter- pretation is as wrong as 1t is to ascribe the chill of septicemia (acute blood poisoning) from an infected wound to taking cold.' Accompanying the chill!ness there may be nausea or vomiting, and perhaps a severe headache or gen. eral aches or pains resembling an attack of grip" and shortly af- te rthe chill there is high fever and considerable prostation.
 All of this illness Is due to &C., cumulation of pus in a pocket some- where in the infiamed gums or in a tooth socket. If the pus drains from the pocket, perhaps alongside the affected tooth, the patient mak- es prompt and otherwise inex- plicable recovery.
 Unless the physician makes e regular practice of inspecting gums and teeth as part of his examina- ton of the patient, the nature of the attack my go unrecognized.
 A patient who suffers such at- tacks at intervals is prone to scout the suggestion that such severe ill., ness can be due to a trifling &C., cumulation of pent-up pus in gum or tooth socket, for hasn't he had Riggs's disease and poor teeth for years and years?
 Some of the wrong diagnoses made in such septic floods are "heavy cold,' grip" gastric fever" bilious attack and fever and ague" (malaria).
 Unfortunately in most instances there is no special pain in a pus- pocket in the soft tissues of the gum, and that fact misleads the careless diagnostician.
 Hernfa Cured
 I am another reader who took your advice had a hard time finding reliable doctor who gives the ambulant treatment, but finally my dentist told me that Dr. --l does fine work, and now can tes- tify that he does. I had carried my hernia for eight years nothing but praise for the practical value of your articles. (F. B.
 Answer-After all, dentors are near-doctors, aren't they? have a monograph on Hernia-for copy send 1-2-cent-stamped envelope | bearing your address. If you ask a | question requiring individual answer. put 3-cellt-stamp on return en- velope.
 Is buniop growth, sort of an corn? (Mrs. P. c. IT.
 Auswer-No, 1t Is a defornity. | Correction is given in booklet Care | of the Feet"--for copy send ten cents coin and stamped envelope | bearing your address.
 Tularemia
 Can a person get rabbit fever from drinking raw milk or eating l