The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-05-15

REMOVAL OF BIRTH MAl..AS Neither nloles Augmented birth marks, sometimes containing coarse hairs, sometimes warty, sometimes containing masses of fat) nor port wine stains (birthmarks consisting of dilated blood vessels) can be removed or safely treated except by the physician and surgeon.
 None of the methods of treatment mentioned here can be safely used by the laynen. I mention the methods only to encourage victims of the inferiority complex which SO often develops in those who have birthmarks on face, head or neck, and to help them choose the right treatment.
 In Q contribution on minor plas- tic surgery, published in Medical Record by Dr. Everett s. McClelland of Los Angeles, appeared Q picture Of a young woman who had num- erous small woman who had num- ercus small brown and black moles on face and neck Alongside 1t is another picture of the same young woman three weeks after 6 single treatment with dichlaracetic acid. applied with capillary tube to the interior of each mole, without pain and without leaving scar. The change in the young woman's ex- pression is most impressive. The pictures tell . far better story than the doctors modest description of the treatment. The surgical removal of inferiority complex!
 Freezing with carbon dioxide snow Is the method preferred by some physicians for removing moth patches and freckles. Of course this, too, would be dangerous In the hands of an operator without sur- gical training.
 Surgical diathermy, electro -desi- cation or electrocoagulation, gives the most satisfactory results in many cases of freckles, moth patch. es, moles or port wine marks.
 Moles having coarse hairs may be most successfully treated with x-rays alone or, If more than dimesise, by surgical exc!sion, by plastic operation, perhaps skin- grafting, to All the defect or X.ray treatment later to favor smooth scar. Electrolysis Is sometimes satis. factory for small moles in which hairs grow, both for destroying the hairs and destroying the hypertro- phied tissue by crisscross insertions of the needle, but this method is tedious and few patient will con- tinue the treatments long enough.
 Physicians skilled in surgical dia- theriny get excellent results from electro -desiccation in many cases of moles or port wine stains.
 In the treatment of port wine stains (vascular birthmarks) the younger the infant or child the bet. ter the final cosmetic result will be x-rays, radiuna, electrolysiS, Surgi- eel diathernny (electrodesslcation electro -coagulation), freezing witf carbon dioxide snow (dry ice), or ir exception cases, complete surglca excision and skin grating to cover the defect, may Do the method oi cho!ce--it is for the doctor to dc. termine the best method according to the circumstances. I repeat none of these methods is reason. ably safe except la the hands oi the trained physician or surgeon.
 QUESTIONS 6 ANSWERS
 Carbon Monoxlde
 am anxious to see an article lr your column on carbon fnonoxide especially concerning It's effect or the health of garage workers.
 (Mrs. w. c. O.
 Answer - Not only mechanics ac. tualiy working around cars in gar. ages. but sometimes other persons in or near the garage workroom may be affected by constant expos ure to air slightly polluted by the carbon monoxide from the exhaust flor instance cashier or clerk il, | the edioininR nffice. Send tWentys