Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-02-01
STORYTELLING
YOURSELF
By PETER J. STEINcRoHN


q 42-year-old businessman
who always prided myself on
taking good care of myself.
I've always gone in for a
yearly physical examination.
At my last check-up, about
o year ago, my doctor said I
was all right, but suggested
that I 60 in to see an eye
specialist to rule out glau-
coma. Although I had no
symptoms. he wanted me to
do 1t as a precautionary
measure.
Well. I put it off because
I thought it was unnecessary.
Eventually I went in for the
eye examination, because I
was having headaches.
I suppose you've guessed
the answer: An eye test
showed that I have glaucoma.
Fortunately, with drops and
other treatment, my vision
will be saved. But suppose
! had gone on for months
disregarding the headaches
and the earlier advice of my
family doctor? I might be
half blind by now. I hope
you print this to help other
readers.-Mr. M.
YOU'RE LUCKY. But it
isn't really luck-it's good
sense. If you hadn't followed
through. you might be walk
ing the tightrope over all
abyss called total blindness.
1t is true that glaucoma
stands right behind cata-
racts as a cause Of blindness
in the United States. In per-
sons past 40, there are about
1.250,000 cases of glaucoma.
The sad part of it is that
only about one-half of these
people are aware that they
have 1t.
Everyone past 40 should
have a tonometer test to de-
termine the eye pressure. 1t
is simple and painless. NO
physical examination is COM
plete without it. And don't
wait for headaches, blurring
Of vision Especially Of side
vision) and eye fatigue to
bring you to the eye doctor.
It may be too late.
Dear DR.. Steincrohn: I
have heard so many pros
and cons about the value and
dangers Of fluoridation that
I'm confused. How do you
feel about it?-Mr. v.
I AM HAPPY to say that
during the past year or two
fluoridation of water to pro-
tect against dental decay is
being accepted by more and
more communities. Let me
put 1t short and to the point:
It has great value and no
danger. With few exceptions,
doctors and dentists are in
favor. Why be influenced by
the hayes Of unprofessional
persons who are less quail
fled to Judge?
! For Mrs. E.: Your doctor
is not being silly in recon-
intending that your 7-year-
old son have X-rays to rule
out peptic ulcer Of the stom-
ach. Any child who has re-
curing attacks of stomach
discomfort that don't seem to
fit into any diagnostic pic
ture should have the benefit
Of X-rays. More and more
we are seeing children be-
tween 5 and IL who have
such ulcers.
&h IS
For Mrs. Y: It seems to
be the opinion of dermatol-
ogists that premature aging
Of the skin can be caused by
taking excessive doses of SUM-
light. 1t may be fashionable
to have a deep tan, but don't
take the sun without con-
Germ. Like everything else
good Ia steak, for instance)
sunbathing can be overdone.
For Mr.. j.: I agree that
acne is a distressing problem
and that the bad case exerts
awful psychological pressures
upon the youngster. I also
agree that chocolate had
better be left out of the diet.
But I don't agree that all
sugars should be deleted. The
fact is that dietary restric-
tions are Of questionable
value in treating acne.
(Bell syndicate Feature)
DR.. Steincrohn's ledtlet,
practical Information for