MEDICAL.
Gwen Lewis.—Goître or Derbyshire neck is one of those diseases which are “endemic,” that is, resident in certain localities. It is very common in some places, chiefly in the mountainous or hilly districts of Derbyshire, Devonshire and Wales. It is more common in the valleys than in the hills. It is supposed to be due to some constituent in the water, possibly excess of lime. Goître, however, is not very infrequent in persons who have never seen a mountain, and who have lived in districts which are decidedly not goîtrous. There are many forms of goître, and the treatment for each variety is different. Unfortunately, that variety which is “endemic” is most difficult to cure. If the patient can leave the district where the condition was developed, and live in a place where the disease does not occur, the mass will cease growing and often wither altogether. The rational treatment of goître is therefore to change one’s residence. Iodine, both internally and externally, is often advised for the relief of simple goître, and it does sometimes do good. Mercury is often occasionally used with good results. Surgical procedures have been adopted, but unless the growth is enormous or interferes with breathing or swallowing, and in other special cases, this treatment is not to be recommended. Friction, massage and electricity have been tried with practically no result whatever.
Buttercup.—Careful and moderate exercise is what you require. All your troubles, including the curvature of the spine, will be improved by this means. Gymnastic exercises are extremely valuable, and if we can only impress upon you to be moderate, we have no hesitation in saying that you will derive great benefit from gymnastics. The dumb-bells, the clubs, the horizontal bar, and the other milder exercises are very helpful, but you must avoid all the violent, we might almost say furious, exercises which are far too commonly indulged in. Again, you must not give up walking for gymnastics, but let a little of one augment a little of the other. Avoid sofas and easy-chairs, for these tend to weaken the spine. Before doing this, however, we advise you to have your back examined to find out what was the cause of the curvature.
Mystic.—Beer poured over a red-hot horse-shoe will not cure dyspepsia. On the contrary, it will make it worse. What an extraordinary superstition!
Heath Phillips.—You suffer from acne undoubtedly, possibly from that form known as “acne rosacea.” If you never feel indigestion you certainly have not got it. Sulphur ointment is very good for acne, but in the later stages, especially of the rosaceous acne, ichthiol ointment (2½ per cent.) is better.
Merry Sunbeam.—The hair frequently combs out in considerable quantities, especially during spring and autumn. This is no abnormality, it is quite healthy, but it frequently alarms girls, because a very little hair makes a great show. The solution you use is useful, but you must beware of using much alcohol for the hair, as it renders it brittle. Wash your head less often, say once a fortnight, and add a teaspoonful of borax to each quart of water. The yolk of an egg makes a useful and strengthening hair-wash, but it should not be used too frequently, and the hair must be well rinsed afterwards.
Ethel.—Chlorate of potassium lozenges are very useful for a “relaxed throat.” You must be careful not to swallow too many, for the drug is very apt to produce indigestion. Never take more than five in the course of one day. We have seen truly alarming symptoms in a girl who has eaten an ounce of the lozenges in an afternoon.
Maitland.—Singeing the eyebrows would in no way permanently injure them. The hairs of the eyebrows grow very fast, and in a few weeks you will be none the worse for the accident.
Enquirer.—By an “enlarged neck” you probably mean enlarged glands in the neck, a condition extremely commonly due to decayed teeth.
Harry’s Girl.—Sugar is fattening, and very probably you are getting too fat because you eat too much sugar. There is no necessity for you to give up sugar altogether, but be more moderate in the amount you eat.
Mignonette.—We published a long article on blushing and nervousness a short time back in which you will find all the information you require.