The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-23
ORGANIC DISEASE IS
 FUNCTIONAL AT FIRST

Although a minority of individu- als afflicted with diabetes, cancer, tuberculosis, peptic ulcer, gallstones, heart disease, Bright'S disease or other serious organic disease choose to doctor themselves or "try" vari- ous nostrums which purport to cure most such sufferers with fair in- telligence or common sense follow the advice and treatment prescrib- ed by their own physicians.
 When it comes to the manage ment of the functional ailments a great many more sufferers are in- clined to gamble with health. If this were not SO, I suppose there would be little interest in a column like mine. A handful of letters daily are from people whose health, so far as their letters indicate, is ex- cellent. But 99 out of a hundred let ters daily are from people who have some complaint, some ailment, per- haps stll only functional.
 Under present circumstances where else can these people with functional ailments seek advice if not in this shop? Unfortunately there are still great many phy- sicians who, instead of taking seri- ously the tirnid complaints of these people, are inclined to laugh at them and dismiss them with the as- surance that there is nothing the matter and the advice to forget it. At least that is the story I find in a large number of letters from peo- pie of all classes and degrees.
 My life for many years has been just one controversy or quarrel after another, with the doctors who purport to represent medical sci- ence or the authoritative medical opinion of the day. I have taken some severe punishment, and I have given few telling blows in return. The history of these bat ties, in reference to the chemical obliteration of varicose veins, the ambulant treatment of hernia, the diathermy extirpation of tonsils, the injection treatment of hemorr- holds, the iniquity of the attitude of the organized medical profession toward the patenting of medicines, insulin in particular, is in itself ample recompense, yet I am tired of it all. I am cogiatating the ques- tion of entering practice in some community as a new kind of spe- cialist, limiting my practice to pre- ventive medicine or prophyalxiS ex- clusively.
 Not that a specialist could hope to live on the professional income he might earn in that field of prac- tice, under the principles of medical ethics as established in the present era. But there is a means of shout- ing ones wares from the house. tops without actually infringing the letter of the code of ethics, a means which innumerabe eminent specialists use every day. That is writing articles for the magazines, delivering addresses before meet ings or societies or clubs, and being interviewed as the boys euphemis- tically say, by the reporters for the newspapers. Such publicity is in- finitely more effective than any kind one can buy.
 However, before take the plunge there is an essential task to be completed. namely, a textbook for medical students on the Prac- tice of Prophylaxis.
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
 Cards Are Not Letters
 Some time ago. I sent you card about calcium spot below knee. Have not seen answer. (B. S.)
 Answer-Correspondents who ex- pect answers are instructed to in- close stamped Sc addressed enve- lope. On the information you give can only suggest that you consult your physicians.
 Salt And Bed Wettng
 Item in your column told of giv- ing a child 1-2 teaspoon common salt at bedtime as 8 remedy against bed wetting. and how well it work ed. Tried it in the case of IA 1-2- year old boy and found it very suc- cessful. He has been taking it for three months now and has not wet the bed once since he began. Is 1t wise to continue it right along?
 (Mrs. M. H.
 Answer - No. Cut the dose down half every three or four days until amounts to only a few grains. On request I'll mail monograph on "Bed-wetting" if you inclose a stamped envelope bearing your ad-