The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-09-13
WHITE PATCHES IN THE MOUTH


 National NesvApmpet Service. A1O
 OF rare of Wnterbwry Dem0crmt.D WHITE PATCHES IN THE MOUTH
 Leucoplakia or leukoplalxia is the medical term for white patches on the tongue, the inner surface of the cheek, sometimes about-the genitals of either sex. The thick ened, whitish patches, accompanied with some local irritation and per- haps increased seilsitiveness to heat or other irritation, are generally painless and cause only a stiffness of the affected part. This stiffness or lack of normal fiexibility or pli- ability ultimately leads to Assuring, and in the course of years Liberation and finally malignancy (cancerous denegeration) may occur.
 These white patches are obstinate and difficult to heal. They are sofne- times called smokers patches" and 1t may be true that they are most frequent in smokers, yet certainly leucoplakia occurs in persons who have never smoked at all.
 By jove, you're fight-we don't know what cause leucoplakia. But spare me the wisecracks, please. Is 1t your fault that no one knows who was responsible for the World war or how to balance the budget? We don't know what cause cancer or in- fantile paralysis or influenza, but from experience we have learned what to do about these diseases. One with leucoplakia must abso- lutely stop using tobacco, have any rough teeth or filings attended to by the dentor, and in long standing case submit to one or another de- structive treatment of the patch carbon dioxide freezing, electro coagulation, actual cautery or ra- dium treatments in the hands of a doctor skilled in such work.
 The penalty of neglect of proper treatment of ,leucoplakia is in too many cases
 Cancer of tongue, cheek or mouth. When cancerous degeneration begins in a white patch the legion usually but not always becomes somewhat painful, and swollen glands" Lymph nodes) or kernels may be felt under the jaw or in the side of the neck k; the white patch becomes reddish, velvety or raw looking.
 Cancer more commonly occurs in the mouth as a consequence of pro- longed slight irritation by a jagged or broken tooth or 6 rough or broken denture. without any sign of white patch.
 Pipe smoking is well known as an exciting factor of cancer of the lip. Cigar smoking has been regarded as an exciting factor of cancer of the throat. Cigarette smoking seems more frequently associated with can- cer of the tongue-whether from slight but constant irritation or lust because so many out of the whole population are smokers.
 At any rate good dentistry has a definite prophylactic value, helps to prevent cancer; whereas cheap bar gain dentistry by the type of prac- tttioner who can't gain and hold c living practice in the ethical way through the good will of his satisfied patients--must be reckoned one of the predisposing causes of cancer of the mouth.
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
 Minerals and Vitan,ins
 In order to keep my weight at i25 pounds Give feet five) must eat a lot of green foods, fresh fruit, green cooked vegetables. Doing this, need no rations, cathartics, digestives, tonics, and have never seen an as- pirin face to face. But my complex ion is sallow and colorless-I look like something the cat brought in when I have no makeup on. and there are lines in my face, young wrinkles, although I am not quite thirty-four <. (Miss c. L.)
 Answer = You are underweight. What you need is a few gobs of gravy on your taters. one-fourth inch of butter on your toast-as is toast out side of your territory? You're old enough now to be more sensible. Leave the starvation business to the beautiful but dumb girls who are heading for a sallow, wrinkled, mis- erable maturity. The foods you men, ton are fine, the best sources of minerals and vitamins. But if you hope to enjoy good health, and good looks, you had better include not less than quart of milk, or milk prod ucts equivalent, in your daily diet such products as ice cream, cheese, buttermilk, milk shake, custard, etc. Send stamped addressed envelope and ask for monograph Gaining Weight.
 Brady Better B Bigger Baby Book
 Babies today are 25 per cent hap pier than when you and I were young. Maggie. There are reasons, as explained in the 60-page sixth edition of the Brady Better B Bigger Baby Book. The B in the title is just to indicate that 1t is the sixth edi- tion. Send regular size stamped envelope bearing your address, be- fore the end of this month, and men. ton the book. You will receive a copy with the compliments of or Doc Brady. Maybe you will enjoy comparing 1t with the first edition If your grandma has not lost hers.
 Be Your Age
 Although you ridicule the idea, I am worried about the coming of the change of life because
 Mrs. w. F.)
 Answer-Send stamped envelope bearing your address and ask for monograph "The Menopause."
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