Tabor City tribune. (Tabor City, N.C.) 1946-1991, 1952-03-19

Joint to become stiff and painful
and sometimes swollen and de-
formed. The pain is usually
severe. If the disease is not check
ed it causes it's victim great suf-
fering, interferes with his work,
and may make him a cripple foe
life.
These are, in general, two types
-rheumatoid arthritis ant osteo
arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis is more
common among women than a.
mong men. 1t usually begins be.
tween the ages of 20 and 40 but
may occur at any age. 1t is most
likely to occur in persons of the
tall, lean, underWeight type.
Oftentimes the cause of arthri-
tbs is not easy to find. In cases of
rheumatoid arthritis it is well
to consider the following as pos
sible causes: Infection in the ton
sis, teeth, sinuses, urinary tract,
or bowels: overwork; too little
rest or sleep; faulty posture; ex-
posture; exposure to cold and
dampness; chronic constipation;
mental shock: anemia; overfati.
que; undernourishment; poor cir
culation.
The mere mention of these
conditions as possible cause sug-
gests, in part, the remedy. All
such conditions should be over
come as far as possible. Specific
measures which have proved ben
eficial in the treatment of rheu-
matoid arthritis are: Short wave
diathermy, colon irringations
correction of postural defects, in
creased intake of vitamin G, high
intake of vitamin D (under doc
tors instructions only and a
diet which is rich in fruits, vege-
tables and milk.
Osteo-arthritis is found most
frequently among elderly persons
but oftentimes among the mid
delayed. In this ailment the x
ray picture shows an overgroWth
of the bone about the affected
joint. With the increase of this
bony growth the joint becomes
still, painful and deformet. Some
times a creaking of the joint is
observed.
The first symptoms, of osteo-
arthritis are soreness, stiffness,
and slight swelling in one or
more of the joints. The patient
may consider himself to be in
good health and cannot under
stand why his joints should hurt
or feel stiff.
AS in the case of rheumatoid
arthritis, the cause of osteo-arth-
ritis cannot Away be fully deter
mined. But it may be said that
the most common immediate
iause of osteo-arthritis is injury
to a joint or to several joints.
Such injury may result from a
sprain, twist, lifting, or a blow
on the affected joint. Patients
suffering from this type of arth-
ritis are usually, but not always
overweight. The sherr weight Of
the body imposes some strain on
the aging and weakening joints.
The disease appears most often
in the weight-bearing joints. not
ably the hips, knees, ankles and
spine. Sometimes the trouble is
first noticed in the joints Of the
fingers.
AS in rheumatoid arthritis
diathermy applied to the Joints
usually affords considerable re.
lief in osteo-arthritis. Colon irrt-
cations, a vitamin-rich diet, cor
rection of postural defects by
exercise and manipulation, avoid
ance of overeXercise of the affect
ed joints. and plenty of rest are
all indicated in the treatment of
osteo-arthritis. If the patient is
overweight, he should gradually
reduce under the guidance of his
doctor.
In fact, the whole program OF
treatment in any case of arthritis
should be carried out under e