Evening star., 1961-10-27
STOP KILLING
YOURSELF
Be Moderate in
Taking Sun
By PETER J. sTEINcRoHN


sun-bathing actually neces-
sary for good health? Isn't
too much sun dangerous?-
Miss F., Texas.
YOU CAN BE healthy
without actually taking sun
baths. You get more than
YOU realize by reflected rays
from water. sand and snow.
Even fog and apparently sun
less days allow the rays to
get through. Most people who
go in for sun-bathing and
Skincoats of molasSes hue.
aren't interested in the Vita
min D they get; they're zeal
Gus sunworshippers only be-
cause they look good In a
coat of tan"
Until a few years ago 1t
gave many people status to
return north during the win
ter sporting a nut-brown
skin while their pale = face
friends looked on in awe.
There's less of that now.
You can stay home. take SUM-
tan pills and ultraviolet light
treatments. and look like you
have just returned from sun
ming yourself on the French
Riviera.
Please don't get me wrong,
I happen to be a sun-lover
myself. Something's missing
from life during the winter
days when the sun is stingy
and skimpy rays leave your
face pale and worn. And
there is a psychological lift
q. which is Important is see
ing your reflection in the
mirror-tanned and outdoor
ish. It's hard to feel bad
when you look good.
But there's a limit. You
can take too much. and too
fast. Remember that the two
hours before and after noon
are filled with the strongest
rays. Stay out Of the sun
then. Otherwise, continued
expos month after
month. year after year-will
give you a prematurely
wrinkled skin. And, possibly.
skin cancer.
Don't let me drive you out
OF the sun, please. III feel
guilty because you'll find me
out in it. But keep remem-
bering that you can get more
than is good for you. There's
no need to look like a ma
hogany table.
Dear DR.. Steincrohn: My
12-year-old son had rheu-
r. matte fever. All our doctor
gave him was aspirin. He
tried cortisone for a few days,
but stopped it because he said
Billy had a bad reaction from
it. Now, six months later,
we've learned that he has de-
Veloped trouble in one Of his
heart valves. My question is
this: Might it have been pre-
vented if he had taken corti-
some right along?-Mrs. D.
AT FIRST WE had high
expectations. We though that
the corticosteroids would pre-
vent heart complications. But
I think this will give you
some comfort. if any. Hun
dreds of case studies have
shown that aspirin is about
as effective in preventing
heart complications as any
of the newer drugs. Mind you,
cortisone medicines still have
2. their indications. and are OF
great value. But they're not
a "cure-all" nor a prevent
all"
Dear DR.. Steincrohn: l
have tried all kinds of
salves and ointments on my
sons scalp, but he continues
to suffer from ringworm. His
hair falls out in spots and
his scalp is scaly. I'm just
about frantic. Do you have
suggestion?-Mrs. 2.
JUST ONE question: Have
you been to a doctor with
your boy? Chances are he
will try griseofulvin which is
a medicine taken by mouth.
In many stubborn cases. it
cures the condition within a
month or two.
Many people have large,
solitary stone in the gall
Bladder without complaining
of indigestion. When they
ask me for a special diet,
usually I say there's no need
why they can't continue with
their regular diet. There's no
need for fat restriction un-
less you are overweight; or
until you begin to have gall
bladder symptoms.
DR.. Steinchron'S leGflet.
Hints on How to Overcome
Headaches" Will be mailed
on receipt of a stamped. self
1ddressed puDeLODe and 10