The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1943-02-26

deal at a loss because there are
so many different kinds of them
that it is difficult to give concrete
advice.
Some OF these nodosities are ex-
pressions of general systemic dis
ease; others are purely a local
condition.
OF the local ones, perhaps the
commoneSt is a lump that occurs
on the wrist, or the back of the
hand, just at the hump. The name
Of this swelling is ganglion, but it
does not, as might be supposed
from that name, originate from
nervous tissue.
1t is a growth in the form Of a
sac filled with liquid which arises
from one of the tendons or tendon
sheaths Of the muscles of the fore
arm. 1t is usually painless, except
just at the first when it is begin
ming to form, and unless it is big
enough to become awkward, it
does no harm.
The older surgeons used to
treat it by putting the hand on a
solid table and striking the gan
glon sharply with the back of a
book. This is not only brutal treat
ment, but actually harmful be-
cause some time after that the
ganglion has to be dSsected out
by surgery.
Rheumatic NOdules
As examples Of nodules which
are evidences Of systemic disease,
probably the best examples are
the so-called rheumatic nodules
which occur in a very large pro-
portion of cases of acute infsm-
matory rheumatism and, in fact,
may be the only evidences of the
disease. In other words, the nod
ules may appear without joint or
heart changes. They occur over
the front Of the forearm, along
the line of the tendons or just
under the skin and are usually red
and painful. They may also ap-
pear over the shin where, again,
they are just under the skin and
are red and painful. The treat
ment of them is the treatment of
the underlying condition.
In many people over the age Of
60 there can be seen and felt little
nodes at the joints at the ends of
the fingers. They are called Heb
erden's nodes, although all that
DR.. Heberden said about them $50
years ago was: what are these
little nodes that appear at the
ends Of the fingers 90 Nobody
since then has been able TO give a
very good answer. They are often
said to be associated with chronic
Iarthritis, but in many cases they
occur without any other joint
changes except a slight stiffness
of the ends OF the fingers. They
are painless and need no treat
ment.
Other Nodules
A condition which may lead to
serious disability consists Of nodes
or Jumps that appear under the
skin, usually on the legs. The
name of this condition is erythema
induratum. The nodes often ex-
tend clear down to the muscle and
cause considerable pain, not only
when the subject is walking, but
even at rest. The condition is very
chronic and the nodes may break
through the skin and ulcerate. The
underlying condition appears to
be one of poor circulation, and
treatment by the use of heat, mas
sage, violet light therapy and
measures to restore circulation,
such as exercises of the feet and
toes, are indicated.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
NJ. s. G.:-What can you tell
me about abscess of the lung? Is
it a serious ailment? Is it cura-
BILE? How long does it take to cure
it? Is there any relationship be-
tween that and tuberculosis?
Answer: Abscess Of the lung is
certainly a serious ailment. It can
come from tuberculosis or follow
pneumonia or any infection of the
bronchial tubes or the lungs. Many
cases get well in the course Of time
by the use of postural drainage,
which is to lie three or four times
a day so that the head is lower
than the hips over the edge of the
bed or chair. Cases which do not
respond to this treatment may re-
quire drainage by surgery. About
10 per cent of cases ultimately
have a complete recovery.
10 tbfg /.