MEDICAL.
M. J. Gray.—We discussed the question of the best hydropathic establishments for rheumatism a few weeks ago. In England, Harrowgate, with its sulphurous waters, is the most generally useful. But living at any of the hydropathic stations is expensive, and the English ones are about the most expensive of all. It is rather difficult for us to answer your question because we never advise any person to go “to take waters” unless her income is above the average, so we cannot tell you (at all events, not in this column), what a stay at any of the stations would cost. Aix-la-Chapelle, Barèges, Harrowgate, Kissingen, Carlsbad, Contrèxeville, Homburg, Marienbad, Selters, Vais and Vichy, are the springs most generally used. If you cannot afford a stay at one of these places, you may derive some benefit from taking the waters at home. Nowadays all these waters are exported. But the benefit of taking the waters at home is not comparable with the value of a stay at the place where they came from, probably not because the waters degenerate, but because the strict regimen and the good effects of travel are absent.
Fifteen Stone.—The latest thing for excessive obesity is extract of the thyroid gland. The preparation chiefly used is “thyroglandin,” and is made from the thyroid gland of the sheep. We cannot say at present whether this treatment is going to be of any value, but we are investigating its action. Like all animal extracts, thyroid is a very powerful drug, and sometimes gives rise to very alarming symptoms. If it is going to be valuable, it will only be used for very marked cases of obesity.
Simple Susan.—Certainly round shoulders can be remedied by gymnastic exercises. The best of these are the dumb-bells or clubs—but light bells and light clubs. Half an hour’s exercise or less every morning before breakfast. Dumb-bells should not weigh more than two pounds apiece.
Grandmamma.—Eczema is exceedingly common on the legs where varicose veins are present. The treatment is mainly that of the veins. Locally calamine ointment is very useful.
Another Anxious One.—1. Yes. Follow the advice that we gave to “Mary Noble.” We fear there is not much prospect of cure in your case. We have never found the chloride of ammonia inhaler of any value; now we never use it.—2. Wash your feet in warm water and borax every evening, and look to your boots. Almost every complaint of the feet is due to misshapen boots.
Matron.—A jagged tooth in the jaws of a woman aged fifty is a most undesirable thing. The “white patch” upon your tongue is caused, as you know, by the tooth. If you let the tooth remain in your head, that “white patch” will become a cancer. Go to a dentist and have the tooth out at once. Do not delay, for in a short time it will be too late.
Miriam.—Obviously your toothache is due to the decayed teeth. You must have these thoroughly seen to, either stopped or else removed, according to their condition. Toothache is an inflammation of the pulp of the tooth; the pain is due to pressure upon the nerves. The reason why pain is so severe in inflammation of a tooth is because the pulp cavity is an unyielding structure, and so the nerves are compressed between the “matter” formed by the inflammation and the wall of the cavity.
Uvula.—We discussed the causes of bad breath at some length a short while ago. Your trouble is doubtless due to the double cause of bad teeth and an unhealthy condition of the nose. As you are going to do the right thing and have your teeth seen to, we need not say much about this. But as regards your nose, you have a condition which is unfortunately exceedingly common among young women. It is a most difficult disease to eradicate, but with care can be kept in check, and the offensive smell altogether banished. Use as a spray or wash, and also as a gargle, four times a day, the following lotion:—bicarbonate of soda, 200 grains; carbolic acid, 30 grains; glycerine, one ounce, and water to the pint. Use the lotion warm. Afterwards apply to the interior of the nose, with the little finger, benzoated zinc ointment, and apply this ointment many other times a day.
Uvea.—Enlarged uvula is a common complaint. It gives rise to cough and other signs of throat irritation. Rarely is the uvula enlarged without other parts of the throat being unhealthy. The best treatment for an enlarged uvula is to have part of it cut away. Failing this, painting the uvula with menthol in paraleine, or better, with glycerine of tannic acid, will reduce its size.
“THE BRIDE.” (Gladiolus Colvillei Alba.)