The daily monitor leader. [volume] (Mount Clemens, Mich.) 1942-19??, 1942-04-28

worries that beset SO many other
mothers Of families. Yet we must
admit that disease and normal
trouble have always been at hand
and that there must be something
else to afford an explanation OF
her unusual strength of both flesh
and spirit.
The reasonxhat more OF us are
: not aSfsrl.r 80 UlS' s4aJ 1riiij7,, 10
I look things over, is that there
are too many others who want to
interfere. Just as with the very
young, there is some guardian In
the family who comes forward TO
tell these old folks what would be
best for them. / have often had to
give the party of the second part
some remedy, TO keep the party OF
the first part quiet.
Refractory Mother
am recalling a woman who
worried not only the family but
myself half to death by running TO
the office with the complaint that
she couldn't do a thing with
mother" Now this mother was "a
years old. Why shouldn't she have
the things she wanted to eat, and
do within reason anything she
wanted to do?
My argument Is that anyone
who has lived to reach the allotted
time ought to be allowed practi-
cally complete freedom OF behavior
provided, of course, that he is
still in reasonably sane mental
condition. Surely. II person has
lived that long, he has earned the
right to select his own food. And
II he has reached the very ad-
vanced age, he has earned the
freedom TO spend the time remain
ing pretty much as he pleaseS.
There are still many things that
could be done TO make life pleas
ant to those who have stayed so
long with us. They should not be
expected to use the heartier menus
usually prepared for a growing
and active family. But it is un-
necessary to prepare any number
of victuals for them. It is quite
reasonable that these elderly folks
should be asthmatic and even have
an occasional heart flutter without
1t signifying anything especially
wrong. The heart muscles are not
able to contract fully as in earlier
days. and the heart beat is not SO
regular.
Even where there is swelling OF
the feet and legs, 1t is probably
due to this same interference with
the circulatory rhythm. If medi-
cine is indicated. it should be
something to afford the heart a
light tonic effect, to stimulate the
kidneys and help dispose OF the
excess fluid that is not being elm
mated. Such fine improvement is
being made in the theo- brownies
that they, with the salicylates. are
usually our StandbyS.
Pains Are Normal
1t is perfectly natural that these
old folks should have numerous
aches and pains, even though they
give some Of us a great deal of
concern. Usually, the pains are the
result OF the most normal reac-
tons of feeble muscles and bones
when they happen TO be overdone.
One of the best investments that
I know about is a health lamp.
Usually we select an mira red
type. which affords heat Of the
penetration sort and yet Is not
likely to burn or injure in any
way. This cannot be said about
most Of the heat-producing ele-
ments. Even hot water bottle or
electric pad sometimes does Seri-
GUS damage.
Light massage is always good,
II you can remember that the It's
sues OF the flesh at this age are
much relaxed and will not stand
much pressure. Sometimes Just a
supporting bandage will bring re-
lief to an aching muscle. II prop
erly adjusted and readiusted when
the pain returns.
Some folks like the feel OF ONT
ments or |iniments. Others do not
violently opposing their use. II
ointments bring any relief. forget
that they do not usually smell
fragrant and apply them as de-
sired. They are usually counter
irritants. BY bringing the blood to
the surface. they take 1t away from
the point Of discomfort and give
temporary relief.