The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-01-16
SPINAL CURVATURE AND VARICOSE VEINS

At first glance 1t seems incon- gruous, perhaps, to consider splnaA curvature and varicose veins as hav- ing anything in common. But 1t IS notable that these two conditions, as well as other common ailments of civilized man, such as hemor- rhoids, variscocele, viceroptosis (sag- ging, floating or displacement of abdominal or pelvic organs) and hernia do not occur at all in animals and such conditions are so rare in primitive races or tribes that they constitute anomalies. Not merely the conductor of this column, but many recognized authorities acc count for all of the diseases or weaknesses mentioned hereby as- cribing them to one simple factor Jack of exercise. AS Rudolph Klapp, (Munch. Med. Wchnschr, lvii, 546) expressed it:N"1t seems that civilization, by it's customs Of living, which limit the natural ex- ercises of our muscles, predisposes to a degeneration of connective tis- sue which, combined with the irn- perfect adoption of our bodies to the erect posture, is the basic cause Of postural diseases"
 Lest this seem too academic to the casual reader, let me say here that you increase your tendency to these postural diseases or weak nesses every time you hop in the car to run to the grocery or the barber shop instead of running Cor walking if that is the best you can do) on your own power.
 And while you're forgetting that as quickly as you can, let me add that one of the most effectual pre- ventive and curative remedies for varicose veins, visceroptosis, hernia and the like is a season of walking to and from work or business iil- tead of riding which, fortunately, the war will provide for us. In say ing this I am not at all concerned about the condition of your tires but purely about the condition of your health.
 Without even implying that man ever was @ quadrupted quote these observations of various authors,
 Frank Baker (Ascent of Man Am. Assoc. for the Advancement of Science, '90) pointed out that stone in the bladder is partly due to erect posture, because the concretions on first forming do not gather at the outlet as they would in horizontal position, but fall back into the cul- re-sac behind that outlet opening (urethra) and there gradually in- crease in size. The vermiform ap- pendiX in the horizontal posture has the aid of gravity ip freeing 1t from any fecal accumulation. The as- cending colon in the erect posture must lift its contents against gra- vity.
 J. Knox Thompson (The Lancet, Feb. '22) says horizontal posture is better suited for draining from the sinuses, hence erect posture aggra- yates mastoiditis, middle ear disease and sinusitiS.
 Colin w. Mackenzie Develop ment and the Erect Poture) says inadequate support of the abdonin- al organs by the belly in the erect posture accounts for hernia, dis- placements of uterus and kidneys, visceroptosis.
 Leonard Williams (The Practi- tioner, Jan. n.-June, '19) reminds us that the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, stomach and intestine, in primates in the horizontal position had a solid floor upon the ribs, the uterus and ovaeies rested on the bony pel- wis, and the intestines had gravity to aid the ribs and belly to support them, because the primate was higher behind than in front.