Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-04-03

trrft tfft fOtfr1 OF DcIIeNln6 mat
a certain drug will do il.
OF late years. however, with
all the emphasis on the value
or diet in treatment. the arthri-
tic is inclined 10 believe that
there IS "A certain kind of diet
that he should eat. that certain
foods viii do him good and GER
tain foods will do HIM harm.
This, | believe, is not neceS-
sarily true, but I would like 10
discuss IL.
ET- be remembered that the
- principle OF treatment for
arthritiS is combination of
rest, alternated by periods of
manipulation or exercise.
The rest should be of three
kinds first, physical rest in bed
second, mental and emotional
rest and. third, rest from pain.
Bed rest" says one authority.
"at one stroke reaches, to some
extent at least. the strain and
imbalance of the nervous sys-
tenn, the faulty position of GER
tain organs and the improper
Closure OF certain beds of blood
vessels"
Mental depression can be re-
ieved by assurance that every
one who has ever had chronic
arthritis eventually got more or
less a measure of relief.
Rest from pain should be the
principle of the medical treat
ment Of arthritiS.
NOW as 10 diet, some people
~ with arthritiS are over
weight. but most OF them are
underweight.
The object Of most diets in
arthritiS is not a specific one.
but simply 10 overcome the bad
nutrition of the arthritic.
Many students Of the disease
believe that digestive complaints
such as flatulence, constipation
and nausea indicate that the nu-
triton is disturbed at the base
and diets which tend TO amelio-
rate these digestive conditions
are prescribed.
On the basis OF the nutrition
OF the arthritic a number of
studies have been made concern
ing the vitamin balance of these
individuals.
A group Of physicians in New
England thought they detected a
definite vitamin A deficiency.
They reported that 65 per cent
OF chronic arthritis showed alb
normal dark adaptation curves
which might be interpreted As
indicating some vitamin A de-
ficiency.
THE popular deficiency in the
Il treatment of arthritis TODAY
Is vitamin b deficiency
DR.. r. O. Muether of ST. Louis.
Mo, found that vitamin B was
somehow rejected by the arthri-
tic and was deficient in the diet.
While IT has not been proved
that vitamin B is as much of a
specific as is popularity believed.
results with a vitamin 3 re-
enforced diet have been quite
successful in obtaining some
measure Of relief for these pa
tients.
To sum up the question of a
diet for the arthritic: We should
consider, first. nutrition and.
second. digestive disturbances.
Ii there is an overweight con-
dition. a reducing diet is indi-
Gated, and if there is an under
weight condition, REINFORCED
diet is indicated.
But remember. diet is ONLY 2
small part of the treatment of
chronic arthritiS.
QUESTIONS. ANSWERS
Mrs. L. What causes the
ankles to swell during the day?
Would rubber stockings help
the condition?
What is the cause Of a very
dry tongue occasionally on
awakening?
AnSwer-Thc moncs
cause Of ankles which swell dur
ing the day is varieoSe veins.
In case the swollen ankles arc
due 10 varicose veins. rubber
stockings are Beneficial.
y Dry tongue is possibly an
Indication of anemia.