Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-02-09

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able technique
of the plastic SaMS - k~va>
cap on the bone adaptable. 60
Modest DR.. Harmon InfGMk ~
explains that he is not the -
sole inventor of the Z-~rH. ~ :
ing hip operation. Some ~ "a
thing comparable has
been done in the last few ~ ~S
years by other men but ~ ~ S.
they have covered the 49, WXMz3y
head of the femur bone VXMT ~ ~ Ill
with metal caps either
stainless steel a special @e&~~~-~--~n
inert alloy called vital wSmk&
um. EXl - Y
The special virtues of Ta.x/ N&#Ezzd
lucite-one of the modern ~
plastic materials ~ H. 4. II j.
that it is tough and will E#xMNH
not easily scratch in the N%$&4e& WMM MARz.
Joint, and that it has bit zHk zxxYEZ
more give" to it than ~ IN
would metal like steel. ~
Further, ucite is just - - 49,
about as inert chemically WWZEN$w~
as free from action with ~ E~F q
acids and other chemicals EE&X&M ~
as anything known. 1t TN
absorbs very little water ENAL
or other fluid. Finally <<&HzTX
lucite unlike metal, is XNZ
transparent to X-rays ~
that doctors can easily N ~ ~
study the joint by this 81 UE&M
. !. !. /.
means if they wish. N#2yl
DR.. Harmon's oldest .,wJ
case underwent the opera gzHk 5z2%yfl
ton four months ago. - Z/
The lucite cap is still
working and should con-
tnue to do for ayears. -
Metal caps have been in
use in some for ~
three years and still
performing properly
DR.. Harmon explains
that in at least one opera .
ton in which metal cap Niu'ino' VI "
No. ,,.od tho fap,,,r has Ancient Pharaohs
since been opened up for Typ. "'Nv ~"
examination. II was found E.eh ~ i'''''
that the space between Di"',."i IN. ~, 80
the metal cap and the io." i'pP'"s
socket was filled with H"i'"e'
fibrous tissue and ibrous
cartilage apparently on the way to restoring
conditions which normally exist in the hip
Joint Given freedom from the pain. nature
seems to restore the Joint to its original,
healthy condition
There is no disfiguring from the oper-
alton except where the skin on the hip has
been stitched back together the site of
the incsion.
The arthritis of the hip, which DR.. Har-
mons operation relieves, is the kind which
occurs in later life Historically it is one of
the oldest known diseases, for scientists dig
cling for the bones of Cro-Magnon man, the
skeletons of Egypt's ancient Pharaohs, and
the huge bones of the vanished dinosaurs have
found hip bones that show the unmistakable
osteophytes and other bony outgrowths which
are the visual marks of Gripping arthritis.
Probably some of the other diseases which
kill man and animals today were also prevalent
in prehistoric times but few of them have the
tell-tale skeletal markings which arthritis-
at least in this one type-can produce.
Right up through the evolutionary scale,
too are evidences of the famous poker back;
Qualifications of the vertebrae of the spine
so that the backbone becomes stiff and rigid.
Arthritis with its near relative rehuma-
tism is indeed the Great Crtppler' of the
modern world. Estimates show that 100000
people in the United States alone have this
disease. OF these $4,000 nvalids.
In contrast, heart disease has 100000
victims. of whom IA 900 are invalids Arterio-
sclerosis hardening of the arteriesl attacks
100000 people but only some 81 900 are
invaids
The much more widely pubcized diseases
much less widespread cancer has 100000
victims of whom 5000 are nvalids tubercu-
losis has 600 victims with 7S 600 invalids
and diabetes claims 900 patients of whom
a 600 are invads
Although there have been innumerablc re
l. by American Weekly Inc. Great Britain Righa Reser