Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-12-05
tuberculosis
Difficulty
Is Social One
Need Of Cooperation
Explained by Doctor
BY LOGAN CLENDENING. NJ. ID

BY LOGAN CLENDENING, NJ. ID
TNHE greatest difficulty that
Il the medical profession has
In the treatment of tuberculosis
is not associated with the scien-
tific knowledge of the disease.
We know the cause; we know
the method of spread; we know
the way TO check the disease in
the individual patient; we know
how to cure the early case.
The difficulty is social one
and concerns the cooperation OF
the public in recognizing the
disease and applying to a doctor
for treatment.
This is not as simple a matter
as il may seem. In the first
place. tuberculosis is very in
sidious disease.
Symptoms are not dramatic
in their approach, and at the
onset tuberculosis seldom causes
any pain.
People who have pain usually
seek medical advice for relief.
but tuberculosis causes no pain.
II does not make itself known
suddenly except in very few
instances.
Therefore, il may drag on for
a long time, even when IL is in
an active state. before it Is de-
tected.
CYMPTOMS that a young per-
- son has which indicate tu-
berculosis, can be shrugged Off.
There is another reason which
Is the feeling, almost of disgrace,
that some people have about tu-
berculosis.
1t is no disgrace TO have
tuberculosis, but many people
feel that il is.
Now all OF these things are
obstacles; because it is easier to
treat a case of tuberculosis in
the early stages than after II
has made some Roadway and
much precious time is lost before
the diagnosis can be made and
treatment instituted.
That is why the early synp-
toms should be known and why
people should cooperate with
the medical profession in SUBJ
hitting themselves to an exami-
nation when there are even
slightly suspicious symptoms.
tuberculosis usually starts In
a young adult between 20 and
30 years Of age.
It has been there a long time,
but that is the age when IL
begins 10 show itself
Perhaps the earliest symptom
is severe fatigue-fatigue that is
out of all proportion 10 the
amount of exercise that has been
taken.
HEALTHY fatigue is comfort
IL able and it is also physio-
logical, but the fatigue that the
tuberculosis patient has, has not
been earned.
It settles into every muscle
of the body.
This is the easiest symptom
TO shrug off.
The victims say they are
seedy, need exercise, ought to
take trip, when what they
really ought to do is 60 10 bed.
When this fatigue is accom-
panied by a little fever and flush
in the afternoon. you have the
second of the early symptoms
afternoon fever.
II NAV be only 90 or 1914 de-
erees but that is enough TO re-
quire investigation.
The temperature should be re-
corded accurately for at least IL
days at regular times-8 a. m.
II noon, p. m. and 3 p. M
before any decision is made that
"the afternoon temperature does
not mean anything"
THiE third early symptom Is
J. an unexplained cough. 1t
may not be productive-that Is
II may not bring up anything
and il may hang on Winter and
Summer for long time.
II every one who. has any one
of these symptoms or all OF
them would take the time and
trouble 10 go TO their doctor
for a thorough investigation.
many could be cured in the early
stages which otherwise go on
into the open adult case with
which it is far more difficult TO
cope.
QUESTIONS, ANSWERS
s. D. c.: My son, who will
10 ..annn nld L., NAa.nrrnLnr.