Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-10-18
Stop
Killing
Yourself
BY PETER J. sTEINcRoHN

Dear DR.. Steincrohn: I am
going to be married next
month. Do you have any
health hints that might be
useful before we have our
first child? Miss H, Mich
igan.
MY FIRST suggestion is
this: see your doctor for a
complete physical before
marriage. So should your
husband-to-be. For good care,
a family physician is a must
as adviser. Meanwhile, I'll
give you some information
that will help in having a
normal pregnancy.
Remember that nature in
tends that mothers shall
have normal babies. Only a
few birth defects are due to
faulty heredity. When some
thing goes wrong with preg-
nancy, it is often the I'M
suspecttng and wary
mother who might have pre-
vented complications.
For example, we know that
the early months of preg-
nancy are important for the
future welfare of the baby.
Suppose you know you are
pregnant and have to go to
the doctors office for an ex-
animation. Be sure to tell him
you expect a baby. Otherwise
he may use X-rays in dag
noSis which he wouldn't use
if he knows you are preg-
nant. In some cases, X-rayS
may harm the unborn child.
Also. be sure to check up
on you Rh-factor blood type
and have your husband do
likewise. This will prevent a
future blood complication at
birth. Remember that al
though chicken pox. ordinary
measles and other infections
may not harm the child,
German measles especially
during the first three months
of pregnancy; may some
times cause malformations in
the baby.
Another hint; never take
drugs on your own during
pregnancy. And be sure you
have a diet rich in proteins,
vitamins and minerals.
THERE ARE about II mil
lion Americans who suffer
from arthritis of one kind or
another. The two most COM
mon types are rheumatoid
and oSteoarthritis. In the
former condition (which can
occur at any age but usually
in the younger there is loss
of weight and appetite, ach-
ing and swelling of the joints,
fatigue and muscle weakness
and. in later stages. actual
Gripping of the joints. In
osteoarthritis (which usually
occurs in older patientS)
there is stiffness, aching pain
in the back, knees, fingers or
hips.
Although we haven't any
specific measures for preven-
ton or cure, it is neverthe-
less true that the earlier you
consult a doctor the better
your chances of ultimately
feeling better.
ArthriticS. by the very ma
ture of the illness which
tries the will power and pa
thence Of the sufferer, are
easy marks for people who
promise quick cures. Don't
fall for these promises. If
there were a magic cure, it's
logical to believe that the
medical profession would
know about it. Therefore,
don't go in for fancy diets,
special oils or patent medi-
cine advertising which claims
a new" treatment.
Many arthritic patients say
they are tired OF throwing
their money away by going
to regular doctors who don't
help them. But they think
nothing of spending even
more on fake cures.
If you think you are spend
ing your money Intellectually
in your doctors office, at
least you are getting hon
est care. He is trying.
When the cure for arth-
ritis comes, your own doctor
will be one Of the first to
know. Unfortunately, not I'M
til then will charlatanS who
feed on the suffering of hu-
man beings be put out OF
business.
What's the main difference
between an ethical doctor
and a charlatan? The char
latan promises" a cure; the
doctor can say only: Ill
try"
DR.. Steincrohn's ledtlet,
"How to Overcome Tension
and Fatigue" will be mailed
on receipt OF a stamped. SELF
addressed envelope, and 10
cents in coin for handling.
Address DR.. Steincrohn in
care OF The EUening Star.
BELL Syndicate FeatureJ