The Ypsilanti daily press., 1946-03-25
Your Health
Medicines Fail
to Affect Every
Person Alike

Medicines Fail
to Affect Every
Person Alike
By HERMAN pCNDESEN, NJ. D.
IT HAS often been said that
one mans meat is another mans
poison and the same thing is true
OF medical drugs.
Some people, for instance. ar.
over-sensitive even 10 such COM
monty used drug as aspirin, or
preparations like aspirin, known
as salieylates. Taking OF these
drugs even in moderate doses by
such sensitive individuals may re-
suit in n condition known as sai-
cylism, which is, in reality, kind
of poisoning.
Habitual Pain-Relieyers
Some persons, too, may develop
the same disorder from the habit
ual taking of such preparations to
relieve any and every ache or pain,
often in large doses. This is bad
business for two reasons: First,
because these people may be suf-
fering from an ailment which re-
ouires real treatment and second,
because salicylism is no joke.
The most common symptom OF
salicylism is ringing in the ears.
Other symptoms which occur often
are dizziness, sickness to the stom-
ach, and vomiting. Sometimes,
there are fever, rapid breathing
and mental disturbances.
The sickness to the stomach and
vomiting is not due to the effect OF
the salicylate on the lining MEM
brane Of the stomach but, accord
ing TO Drs. Charles IL. Caravati
and Clarence B. Whims of the
NC, AUS, come from the action
of the drugs on tie nervous sys-
tenn. This is proven by the fact that
these symptoms occur whether
salicylates are given by injection
into a vein or taken by mouth.
Large Doses
Salicylates are often given IN
large doses in the treatment of
rheumatic fever, a condition which
causes pain and swelling Of the
joints, fever and, sometimes, dam
age to the heart. When such treat
ment is carried out, the patient
must be carefully watched to make
sure that salicylism does not de-
velop. II it does, prompt treatment
should be carried out.
If the salicylism is severe, men,
tai excitement, confusion and de-
lirium may develop. The patient is
restless and speaks incoherently
and occasionally is maniacal.
These first symptoms of stimula-
ton of the nervous system are
followed by depression and uncon-
sciousness.
According to Drs. Caravati and
Whims, the treatment for salicyl-
ism consists in discontinuing the
use Of the salicylates, giving large
doses Of some alkaline substance
such as baking soda and giving
plenty Of fluids, both by ihjec-
ton and by mouth. using methods
TO reduce fever, giving plenty OF
food and such drugs as caffeine or
ephedrine if there is severe de-
preston Of the nervous system.
Salicylates are very useful
drugs, when properly used. None
theless, they may prove dangerous
when taken indiscriminately and
in over-large quantities. Hence
they should be taken only when
prescribed by a physician, man
who understands both their uses
and their dangers.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Mr.: am a woman thirty-fve
years Of age. Ny legs turn a dark
red color on the front and sides.
At times, there is itching. What
-auses this?
Answer: The condition you de.
scribe may be due to some trouble
with your circulation, vitamin de-
ficiency or to some type Of skin
disease. It would appear advisable
to consult a skin specialist so that
the exact cause may be determined.