The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-02-17

only authorities on this subject worthy of respect It is a scandal and a tragic reflection on Yankee intelligence and honor that all sorts of charlatans, near-dCctors and bunk merchants are permitted to prey upon the credulity of the laity in the matter of the treatment of diseases involving vision. A person may be capable chemist, or a good nutritionist, or dietitian, or .even skilled in testing your eyesight and fitting you with spectacles, but that does not qualify him to advise about the treatment of cataract or other disease.
 Here I wish to make it perfectly clear that I am NOT an authority, and I have no more knowledge of the nature, cause and treatment of cataract than hundred thousand other doctors have I merely en- deavor to present here the gist of what I, as an interpreter of medi- cine for the general public believe is the consensus of modern ophthal- mological opinion.
 Just why the natural hardening and diminishing transparency of the crystalline lens in middle age progresses faster or goes on to degree amounting to cataract in certain persons around the age of 65, is a question of ophthalmologi- cal opinion. Most opthalmologists are different about expressing an opinion, but some who have had eX- ceptional opportunities to study the condition CT extensive experience in treating cataract offer, some obser- vations which may be significant.
 There are not nearly as many cases of cataract in proportion to population today as there were fifty or more years ago, thanks largely to the improved conditions under which people carry on near work improved lighting, and more intel ligence regarding the use of proper glasses to minimize eyestrain and conserve vision. Unfortunately for a good many victims the import ance of these and other preventive and protective measures is not rec ognized in time because the mis- guided inviduals consults quacks or near doctors instead of obtaining the advice of the eye physician, ocu- list, ophthalmologist, eye surgeon. Then, too, like many other half-in- formed persons, they buy glasses as they would hats, when they should never lose sight of the fact that the e yes are part of the human body, a precious part, and deserve the best medical care available when ever any treatment is required.
 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
 Sugar
 How much dextrose may one safely use We are anxious to use it in place of ordinary sugar for. energy. Is it all right for child with asthma
 (Mrs. M. W.)
 AnsWer-There is no difference in nutritional value, energy or any other physiological respect, so far as l know, between the different kinds of sugar. Use whichever sugar you prefer.
 Nearsightedness
 You said the mother transmits nearsightedness to the son, the father to the daughter. I differ. My mother was nearsighted, and trans mitted it to me, her daughter. I have transmitted it to my son and daughter. (Mrs. L. O.
 Answer-No. I meant to say the normal wife of nearsighted (my- opic) man may have near-sighted sons, not near-sighted daughters, but her daughters may carry the recessive trait and transmit near sightedness to their sons. That is rule of genetics, put like the Jaws of nature such rules are by no