The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-08-05
WHICH COMES FIRST, GOOD HEALTH OR GOOD TEETH?

It is a dull day when at least one settlement, both sides stipulating argument or bet 1t not presented for that the view given here will be de- cisive. Generally these arguments arise from the inevitable clash be- tween fact and fancy or knowledge and imagination. but some of them are based on fair differences of opinion and are to be settled only by the flip of a coin.
 Here is one which might invite expression of opinions by my ten- tist friends, if had any. Having none left I'll do the best can with it, considering my wretched bias and narrowmindedness
 by the flip of 8 coin.
 The question is a paraphrase of the conundrum, which comes first, the chicken or the egg"p Every one has known one or more individuals who had remarkably sound teeth and only few small cavities if any. Now the question posed by a reader is simple enough: Are the teeth of such persons sound because such persons have fine health, or do such persons enjoy fine health because they have such good teeth?
 Go ahead and answer it offhand if you are certain you know the answer. I'll just sit and think about it. There is 8 correct answer, all right, but experience has taught me that perspicacity is a more satisfac- tory policy than inpetuosity in deal- ing with these problems about which nearly everybody has obses- sions or convictions,
 Tn the first place, I just can't af- ford to provoke the dentists any more. It is a long, long while since I have seen anything but g frown or scowl on the face of a dentist, that is, out of office hours.
 Tn the next place I doubt that even a considerable minority of readers will see eye to microscope with me, for aside from my own feeble efforts to pound newer knowl- edge of nutrition into the popular mind little has been done in that direction az yet, and as far the den- tists, they're still so dif1dent about "practicing medicine without H. cense" that they seldom accomplish much in the prophylactic nstruc- tion of patients. I mean real pro- phylaxis, rot ladida brushing, mas saging or scrubbing of teeth and gums.
 Having thought about it for more years than most of our readers have lived. I am of the opinion that sound teeth and good health come together, each more. or less depeTld- ent upon the other, and good nutri- tion is the essential basis of both. If or Bill Shakespeare were about we might put this in verse to para phrase Bills remark about digestion appetite and health. Tn support of tli- view I may cite here one obser- ,vation that has been made by a great many physicians, dentists and prospective or actual parents, namely, that adequate rations of vitamin. D supplied to the prospec- tive mother throughout pregnancy
 insure the development of even, sound. strong teeth in the infant, That Is real prophylaXi-.
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
 Bright's Disease
 Please give the symptoms of Bright,s disease and diet good for one who has it. (R. T. E3 How about coffee must the patient give 1t up?
 Answer-Sorry, but it is contrary to the spirit of a health column to provide symptoms for reader to try on. Best plan always is for the pa- tient to tell the symptoms to his or her physician and to no one else. Generally one with Brights disease (nephritis, kidney inflammation may have coffee; in some cases of chronic Bright's disease coffee is a good remedy. Little special modifi- cation of diet is required, as a rule: the .6det should be fair mainte- nance diet, not restricted in pro- tein, and should include a liberal variety of fresh vegetables and fruits, little or no added salt, never any alcoholic beverage or liquor, the more milk, butter-milk, skim milk. sour milk or items containing milk the better. .
 Salt Water
 Had an attack of sinus trouble. Friend had similar trouble and said he Sniffed salt water two or three
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