The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1943-05-15

only. and then only through
his column.
early summer. How hay fever got
its name is an obscure point in
etymology. but probably because
it appears either in the hay-ripen-
ing season or the hay-harvesting
season. At any rate the name was
in general use in 1919 when Bos-
took gave the first clear descrip-
tion of it.
1t was described by Dunbar as
disease of civilization, but we
have mention of cases in the medi-
cal literature of antiquity. Galen
describes boy who had a cold
whenever he smelled roses.
The spring type was long called
rose fever, but roses have nothing
to DO with it. Roses are in bloom,
j. so happens, when the grasses
pollinate. The grasses and trees
are the real culprits, but the drab,
uncolored flowers of the grasses
20 unnoticed beside the glory Of
the roses, and the victim who
knows his snufiies have something
to do with plants in season natu-
rally hangs the blame on the most
conspicuous bloom in sight.
Grasses Causing Hay Fever
The three grasses that are the
most frequent causes Of spring
hay fever are blue grass, timothy
and Bermuda grass.
Blue grass, or June grass, or
meadow grass, sows its pollen in
late May and early June. The
flowers are inconspicuous, as are
all the flowers of plants which de-
pend on wind pollination. The lit
tie spears that look like seedlings,
and eventually turn into seedlings,
If the stalk is shaken during early
June can be seen to give off a
shower of dust, which is really a
myriad of pollen grains.
Timothy, the most important
hay grass in the United States.
pollinates in late June and early
July.
Bermuda grass grows best in
our southern states and pollinates
for a long period, in some locali-
ties from April to September. But
in the northern section Of the
South. it pollinates at about the
same time as blue grass.
Trees Causing Hay Fever
Trees also cause hay fever in
some people; elm, hazel, alder,
maple, beech, ash and oak may all
be offenders to some innocent per-
sons, The trees pollinate earlier
than the grasses-some trees in
the South as early as February.
Spring hay fever does not affect
as many people as fall hay fever,
but it covers more geographic ter
ritory. | believe the preventive
treatment with varcines gives
more good results than the similar
treatment for fall hay fever. So a
word to the victim is: If you want
to get relief this season. begin
now.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Reader: Are grapefruit and or
anges good to eat if you have ar
thrills? Is that acid fruit good for
you, or will it make more acid in
the system?
Answer: Grapefruit and or
anges are good for cases Of arthri-
It's. Although slightly acid, as soon
as they reach the stomach they
turn into alkaline salts and tend to
neutralize acid in the system.
Furthermore, acids have nothing
whatever to do with rheumatism.
4. W NJ: Ny husband gives our
seventeen-months-old baby little
wine. First he started with two or
three drops, now he has increased
it to tablespoonful. He says it is
good for him. Is this true?
Answer: Henry ", the great,
strong king of France, was nour-
ished as an infant on wine. He
turned out to be a gallant soldier,
a great leader Of armies and one
of the best kings France ever had
and died only when he was assas-
sinated.
V. S.: Can a doctor detect tu-
berculosis by the use of a stetho-