The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-01-31

only ana lIlCu Oll4y bhiOH5h
his column.
cally making trouble, but at most
times is doing something fairly
useful.
The function Of the gallbladder,
we said, is to store bile until it is
necessary to help out in digestion.
Bile is a main factor in fat diges-
tion and fat in "A meal causes the
gallbladder 10 empty.
Most Of the time, however, the
bile remains in stasis in the gall
bladder and anything in Nature
which is in stasis is a potential
site of trouble. So the sluggish
gallbladder may become infected
and the infection may produce
gallstones. These conditions show
up the gallbladder in less lovely
light-as a trouble maker.
Continuous Process
Gallbladder disease is continu-
Gus process, but it may get side
tracked. 1t always starts with an
infection and inhammation-the
breeding of germs in the bile or in
the wall of the gallbladder. 1t may
stop there and cause just a mild
dyspepsia sometimes not so mild.
Or it may 60 on to gladstone forma-
ton. Or it may 90 on to pus for
mation-empyema of the gallblad-
der, a very serious condition in
deed.
Gallstones are seldom stones.
They are almost the consistency
of putty, being made up of the de-
post of the bile salts. So they do
not throw a shadow on the x-ray
plate as do kidney stones. Occa-
sionally a calcium stone forms
which does throw a shadow.
Gallstones are of all kinds and
may do all kinds Of things. They
may be big or little. If big they
stay in the gallbladder and grind
around causing discomfort in the
pit Of the stomach. II little they
may try 4 journey down the gail
ducts-which IS gladstone collie,
with pain rejected to the shoulder
no fun IN any mans language.
There may be one stone or five
thousand.
Certain types Of people are dis
posed to gallstones. The heavy
set, broad type who has a good
appetite and enjoys life is the
ideal victim. TheSheavy meal that
stays in the stomach a long time
like Lead tends to cause stasis
in the gallbladder because it does
not empty until food gets in the
intestine.
This is a point in prevention.
II a person avoids over-rich foods
and conditions or habits that lead
to disturbances of digestion, his
chances of having gallstones will
be diminished.
The treatment OF gallbladder
disease will depend on its severity
and the possible dangers involved.
The modern surgery of gallbladder
disease is a brilliant chapter in
treatment, and when such a con-
dition as pus in the gallbladder
occurs. or gallstones repeatedly
precipitate disabling attacks of
collie it is a comfort to know that
surgery is available and safe.
But most gallbladder troubles
are so mild as hardly to indicate
such measures. Remember fat--a
tablespoonful Of cream-will drain
the gallbladder. And by the same
token a fat meal will stir it up.
A judicious use Of diet may control
this obstreperous member indefi-
nitely.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
NJ. D.: Can you tell me what
will dissolve wax in the ear? Have
tried sweet oil, but that won't
move it.
Answer: Wax in the ear often
gets stony hard and attached to
the skin. If simple home methods.
like sweet oil, do not move it, this
is a case for the doctor.
Mrs. H. X: My dentist tells me
am bordering on Pyorrhea and
my gums are receding rapidly,
but when | asked him how to pre-
vent further receding he told me
about the best method would be
to tie a large stone around my
neck and jump into the ocean.
Answer: Professional people
often try to be smarty by giving
such answers. | presume every
body is nervous in wartime, but
there is certainly no reason for
such an answer. ! would advise
you TO get another dentist because
there are plenty of ways Of hold
ing back pyorrhca.