Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-08-29
Stop Killing
Yourself
By Dr.. Peter J. Steincrohn

Dear DR.. Steincrohn: Here
in Canada, as in the United
States, we read frequent re-
ports and warnings against
glaucoma as a cause of blind
ness. These articles state Gas
you have many times in your
column that sight can be
saved if the condition is
caught in its early stages. I
would like to know more
about it.
Does one make regular
yearly or more frequent visits
to a doctor, an eye specialist
or a general practitioner? Is
there a special examination?
Are there any warning Symp-
toms? l would indeed like to
know any preventive meas
ures you can suggest. -
Miss B.
MOST EYE specialists think
a yearly visit for an eye ex-
animation is surely enough
for most people over 40. In
fact, they will settle for an
examination every two years.
The trouble is that most peo-
pie who have no symptoms
think there is no danger, and
that is just where the disease
gets its head start.
The man or woman who
has inflammation Of an eye,
severe headache, and definite
interference with his periph-
eral vision Cant see as well
to the side) will seek out his
doctor. By that time, severe
damage to vision may already
have occurred. The trick is to
prevent serious vision in
volvement by making the
diagnosis early.
If you 60 in to see your
eye specialist regularly he
will take a simple test pain
less, and it takes only a few
minutes) to measure the pres
sure in each eye. This is
called tOnometer reading.
Many people are now going
in to see their doctor every
year for a complete physical.
Here is a tip: do not consider
it complete" (no matter how
conscientiously he has con-
dusted the examination
unless he has referred you to
an eye doctor for a tonom-
eter reading. This simple test
could save thousands Of per-
sons every year from be-
coming blind.
-
Dear DR.. Steincrohn: Dur
ing a physical examination at
my place Of employment, the
doctor told me have a
slightly enlarged prostate. He
said to give it no thought or
worry, and to continue my
routine as usual. Nevertheless,
l am still apprehensive al
though have no symptoms.
Do you recommend massage?
Mr.. G.
I RECOMMEND that you
follow his advice. Don't worry
about a condition which Is
quite common in men. The
usual early symptoms Of en-
largement are frequent uri-
nation, especially at night
which disturbs sleep.
Don't invite trouble. All you
need to do is 10 be sure your
doctor examines your prostate
during your yearly checkups.
There will be time enough for
treatment. You may be one Of
those fortunates who 60 along
into your 8Os without any real
prostate trouble.
$50
Dear DR.. Steincrohn: have
heard about a medicine which
is supposed to be a cure for
hardening Of the arteries. Is
this true?-Mr. L
PREVENTION is what we
are looking for. But II II we're
true that we had such a drug
in treatment, ii would be rea-
son enough for wild-eyed cele-
bration all over the world.
That time is not yet here,
but we're trying hard to make
the dream come true.
For Mrs. S.: | agree that
the lymphedema Swelling Of
the ARM after a radical
breast operation can be quite
uncomfortable. A recent study
shows that large doses Of an
tibiotics often help stubborn
cases.
tBell.Mcclurs syndicats)