The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-05-26
AND WHAT EVER BECAME OF
 THE CROIIP2

SASOOA
 When I was country doctor and /or darn fool-though I con- fess those were happy days in spite of the pinch of poverty-the au- tumn was period of comparative prosperity or at least of busy-ness, for could count on having several typhoid fever patients to attend for several weeks. Today in that same community they probably don't have a dozen cases of typhoid fever in 8 decade. But there is no mystery about that. It Is just better sani- tation, greater intelligence among the people, alertneSs to the health authorities to spot imported cases or carriers" and to no small ex- tent the fact that many persons in the community have been immu- nized against typhoid, paratypnoid and dysentery by the typho-bac- terin or so-called typhoid vac cination or 'inoculation."
 Then in the late fall, all winter and the early spring, I received a fairly frequent summons to relieve a child of the croup. In those days children seemed quite likely to have attacks of croup-catarrhal croup, spasmodic croup; or rather I should say those nights, for somehow the attack generally occurred late at night. That meant a drive (horse and buggy) of miles through the mud or snow.
 One night on returning home from such a drive found my baby having an attack of croup. wrapped her in a blanket, opened the window and sat in it with the baby-the breathing of the cold air (heavy snowfall that evening" brought prompt relief and we tucked her in bed where she slept without further serious disturb ance. I suppose if the neighbors had been aware of what I was do- ing they might have taken some condign action. Tn those days peo- pie had pretty firm convictions about taking cold.''
 Nowadays, as it seems to me remember, I am not now country doctor-croup is rather rare oc- currence. It is a long time now since any one has asked for such information or advice. So I infer that croup must be going out of fashion.
 Bearing in mind the treatment I gave my own child, treatment which I considered both preventive and curative, you may infer that cool. damp night air is good pre- ventive and a good remedy for croup, or at least that believe 1t is. Speculating on the rarity ot croup today I am inclined to ascribe 1t partly to better ventilation uess overheating, less fear of damp night air" and "drafts'D, partly to greater intelligence of parents about avoiding exposure to respiratory ln- fections, and partly to better nu- trition-more liberal supply of cal- cium and vitamin D tends to render the infant or young child less sus- ceptible to any spasmodic affection.
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
 Reduction HOkum
 A reducing solution recommended by in her column consists ot a quart of alcohol with two one inch squares of camphor dissolved togther for 24 hours. This is to be patted on hips and thighs. Is this effective and harmless?
 (Mrs. M. A. O.
 AnsWer-As a method of diSpos- ing of alcohol and camphor, yes. It ise too silly to characterize, so lar as reducing is concerned.
 Hydrocele
 I have hydrocele. Fluid has been drawn off twice, but it soon fills up again. Do you advise operation or injection treatment? Can you rec ommend doctor for the treatment you advise? (G. M. O.
 Answer - Successful injection method developed by the late pr. Norman Kilbourn (Calif. & Western Med, July '32) or injection method described by Dr. Louis H. Baret2 (Med. Times and L. I. Med. Jour, Jan. '35) may be used. Most physi- clans still prefer the radical opera ton.
 Blood Pressure
 Have you any printed matter on high blood pressure? We follow your column with unfailing interest and benefit. (G. W)
 Answer No. You see, changes in blood pressure are symptomatic, incidental, manifestations of one condition or another, and it is boot less to try to correct or treat it without regard for the question of what ails the patient, if anything. Chapter on subject in booklet CVD flor copy send ten cents and a stamped envelope bearing your ad-. dress.
 Copyright, 1943, John F. Dille Co.,