The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-05-09
Your Health
Early diagnosis made
by X-ray Needed
TO Cure Cancer

hE eSophagut IA the connect
ing paSsageWay between the
mouth and the stomach.
There are many disorders which
may affect the esophagus, One OF
them is cancer. Cancer OF the
esophsguS is seventh on the list in
order Of frequency Of cancer
among male persons. II is impor-
tsnt that this condition be detected
early. A diagnosis can be made by
the X-ray and by using an instru-
ment known as an esophagoscope,
-s1ich is a tube with lights that can
be passed into the esophagus, max
ing 1t possible 10 look directly into
IT.
There is no cure for cancer Of
the eSophagus other than opera
tom X-ray or radium treatments
will only partially destroy the
growth. However. unless the dis
order is diagnosed early with the
esophagoseope and X-rsy, opera
tion cannot be successfully carried
out.
There are other types Of tumors
which may occur IN the esophagus,
such as fatty tumors and those
made up Of scar tissue. In many
instances. these tumors may De
present without causing any symp-
toms, and no treatment is neces-
sary for them. However, il they
become too large, an operation for
their removal may be required.
Children, as well as adults. may
accidentally swallow I've or some
other corrosive substance. This
viii burn the lining membrane Of
the esophagus, and when healing
takes place, scar tissue forms,
which contracts and narrows the
opening through the esophagus.
This is called a structure.
Most Of these patients can be
treated successfully by passing an
instrument into the esophagus to
stretch or dilate the structure.
Doctor Edward B. Benedict of
Boston suggests that one of the
Sulfonamide drugs be applied to
the lining membrane TO help over
come the Inflammation which may
be present. II it is known that a
person has swallowed I've or q SINH
lar substance, as soon as possible
the dilAting process should be car
Tied out. in order to help keep q
structure from forming. Then the
dilating iI-sstmsr-s =hzsl6 be cor
tnne< - intervals for several
years. In q number Of patients who
were treated in this way, a strie-
turs developed in only one person.
Another condition which may
Affect the esophagus is known as
esophagitis. In this disorder,
ulcers often form in the lower part
of the esophagus which, when they
heal, produce scar tissue that mar
rows the opening through the esoph-
sgus. There is no special treat
mept which is available for dis
orders Of this type, other than that
ordinarily used for peptie ulcer or
ulcer affecting the first part Of the
intestine.
Persons may sometimes swallow
bones or other materials which
stick in the esophagus. These OBJ
jects often can be removed through
the opening in the esophagoseope.
The esophagoscope and X-ray have
made diagnosis Of disorders affect
ing the esophagus relatively
simple.
YOUR EYES
The layman is confused by tht
.erms relating TO the treatment Of
he eyes. To whom should he turn
IN oculist. an optometrist or should
he go 10 an optician
Let us say. that a worker doe,
rather exacting work. lie has never
had 10 wear glasses. Lately. how
aver. he notices that his eyes ar,
tired" To whom should he go?
There is one man who Is trained
IN diseases OF the eye and is able
10 diagnose and, If necessary, trsa'
these conditions. That man is al
Dculist, physician. The profession
Al name is "ophtholmologist" II
addition 10 being a graduate physi
clan. he has received addiuona
specialized training, relating TO tn,
eye
Perhaps the patients eye doe
not require either medicine Of
treatment. The doctor. then. is tbs
man TO make that decision. But
II treatment is necessary, he is tn.
person to make the diagnosis II 4
10 simply a matter OF refraction er
ror, he examines the eyes snC
writes the prescription.
The "optometrist" Is licensed By
the state to measure the powers o.
vision and the adaptation OF lenses
Tor the aid thereof He is not lie
ensed to use any drugs but he /,
D bic TO prescribe the lenses needeC
II II is simply a matter OF mechani
cal adjustment. This man is no
a physician. ~
What. then. is an optician? Thii
title describes the man who pro
duces, or manufactures the lenses
in accordance with the prescription
furnished to him. In case you breal
your glasses. you may take tn,
broken parts 10 the optician anC
from a small section OF this lens h,
is able 10 determine the correction
He then fills the prescription. n
nfhar unrha he nnannfacfrrn. III.