Newspapers / The Elkin Tribune (Elkin, … / April 16, 1931, edition 2 / Page 2
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TRK ESjaS TRlSrJTE, RLXIK. NORTH CAHetUXA. About Your Health (Br 8t*U) Bo*rd of HnJih) CONSTIPATION Coaitipatioo Is > distnrbsoce of norms! iDteitiOAl function. The us- nsl condition cboracterUcd bsr in sufficient elimlnstion of food rosl- dne, or abnormal delar in the elimi nation o( the lower Intestinal con tents about which moat patients com plain, is properly termed "obstipa tion” by Doctor Holland of tbe Cor nell Medical Colleite. Doctor Hol land has made it a practice for ^sny years to ftive test meals to ftreat numbers of patients be has seen and who complained of constipation. He says that these meals almost variably went through the twenty- five to thirty feet of intestinal tract on time to the minute, reaching the lower bowel mote promptly than a railroad train making Its schedules. All the valves of the intestinal tract are automatic vrlth the exception of tbe sphincter of tbe anus which, al though partly automatic. Is chiefly Tolnntary, or*under man's control. So. when actual constipation Is'pres- ent it Is generally duo to lack of tone in the intestinal tract or to the presence of organic disease, more common trouble "obstinatlon' which most chronic sufferers know as consCipBtion is failure of the turn to perform Its expected func tions. There Is cansiderable differ ence of opinion as to what eonstl- tntes normal bowel activity. Some medical authorities consider when evacuation Is delayed for more than seventy-two hours that fact constitutes an abnormal and pathol ogical rondition. Others of equal right to an opinion would shorten lengthen the period. The fact Is that food. Iiabit.s of a lifetime, occupation, and many other things enter Into tbe equation. The person who sumes large quantities of roughage food will natui-ally n-qulre quent evaeiiatlon of the residue than one who subsists largely on eoncen- trated food which U almost wholly digested and absorbed without due. A ehlld whose parents after its birth eommences the ii suppositories, castor oil, cm and various other modes of tinker ing, is apt to grow up Into no adult with a well established ennslipalion phobia. Conslderahli- progress in the attitude toward patients complain ing of constipation was achieved when physiologists and iherupeuiists began to realise that the trouble is sr.?s sr»'bSW,r«"."S"’4 inecbaiilcBl obstacles on the princi ple of clogged plumbing. That ixatloD put out of business on two schools of quacks. Another great forward step is now being ~^'wb4£vcd in the slow, gradual eT«atdVsir,ji(>re elimination of the auto-IntoxIcaVio Idea as a factor of first Importance in biw'ropaUi of constipation. The lower bowel Is teeming with germs as a normal condition, hence the ronchiHion wns illoglcally. but naturally, reached (bat any interference or delay called normal bowel discharge w-ould result in absorption into the blood in some way some vague poisons which would «t once cause charactei istlc symptoms. It has remained fo a few modem ph^aioiogisis to point out that If such results followed stlpatlon as a general rule (be sim ple evacuation of the bowels by pill or enema would not and could Immediately bring roller as so widely advertised by those who have some remedy tu sell for constipation suf ferers. because It would be Impos sible for the blood to so quickly rid Itself of the "poisons." Ilacteric gists have long ago pointed out that a large portion of bowel discharge Is composed of the dead bodies of bencflclent germs utlliied by nature In the normal, natural pror-ess of di gestion. This fact has been fully ap preciated by the proprietary medi cine manufacturer who has also vis ualized In advertisements that the food mass move.s slowly and slug gishly alongghe entire length of the Intestinal tract In a person suffering from constipation: and that poisons causing vertigo, headaches and so i are being extracted by the blood every kink on the route, tf such condition were possible then surely constipation would kill quicker tbsn pneumonia or typhoid fever. The evils of constipation have been a topic for voinmes. not only in pro prietary medicine advertlsemenls. but by medical writers and health departments. The condition has been described as one of mankind'^ w'orst afflictions. Such opinion has been formed on account of a lack of knowledge of physiology or a fallnre to avail ourselves of such knowledge as already existed. Sound common- sense and solid scientific knowledge will sooner or later prevail In this as In all other matters. Cnnsea of ConsUpaiioD The causes of constipation are many. As stated in the foregoing chapter, actual constipation la com paratively rare, because generally the bowels function psrfectly down fo the lower art of the colon. In patients where such is not the case real conatlpatlon may be present and is nsnally cansed by lack of tone, which prevents the normal peristal tic action of the Inteetlses. Organic «MBeaBe of the tpinal cord or nerves aay be responsible. The esnaes of ordiury eonatlpstlon may be said to resfde In the nnmeroua thlnge which horry In a race for echool, or to work In factory. otric« or store. The whole nervoni system wound up like eight day clock first thing in the morning. Constipation Is only one ' of tbe many troubice which such liv ing may cause. 'Hie l*r(*Tro(lon of t'oiwtipotion The first BUggeetloo we have to Individual who wants to prevent consitpatioi contrlbnle to the lose of sensibility of the lower bowel. In prehistoric man the lower bowel was probably I®®''* as eensltlve to Irritation as any otber'^'*""’ part of the digestive tract. The eus-,®'’ treat the condition when toms of polite society, in short tbe|*"'“®''*- back-and read the demands of clvlllxatlon practiced under the head of 'Causes through tbe centuries, has more and Constipation.' and then .ivold iho more tended to make of the lower)things that cause the condition, bowel a distended reservoir. As the *bould be clearly undorstonci that lower bowel became more and more.*'***'*^*!’*^*®*' cannot be prevented or distended Us expelling power is surcessfully treated when once ^ more reduced, and the labllshed by taking laxatives or S sphincter of the anus U stronger and 'bartlcs. pills or potions or cnem* Its natural spasmodic power harder specialists In neurology til to overcome. At the same lime, as ever are practically a unit I tbe lower bowel becomes more dis- ‘bat ordinary eonstlpatlol tended It absorbs more luolslure **^ *">' bind except that which l| from tbe contents, resulting In a by organic disease cen larger, dryer mass remaining. In a“«cw»ftilly treated by the slmpli attempting to overcome this condi-,**'’®®*]™ observing dally an exac^ lion a great deal of damage Is gen- ■Pt^l*l®d time for the bowels to bcc; erally done which results In Increas- of everything else ihl ed dilation and farther loss of sen- ‘be toilet should be made oi slblllty. We refer to the habit of •fhedule, Speclallsls colonic Irrigations or large enemas;*"®* *b^ '’l®lt should be made frequently practiced. This habit! simply means tbe conscious taking. functions of the lower! absolute regularity. There should be no aid through continued use of enemss. No previous laxative should be taken. Straining ebould be avoid ed once seated on the stool. No special attention ahould bo centered on tbe tonctlon. as that tends to pro duce contraction instead, of relaxa tion and dete*ts the pi-.rpoee of the visit. The toilet should not be made reading mostly of sueb things as eboeolate, lean neat, cheese and many other foods ere digested aimost completely and absorbed without leaving much reetdue, and the lower bowel falls to respond to such slight mass and no call to the toilet results. Such foods are very essential to maintain normal health and the balance should be maintained by consuming however, because'plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits. attention Is distracted with similar results. The only requisite for cess to many sufterere in following such a routine Is determination and perslalont effort. Arthur I-. Holland In his book on ■'Indlgesilon" agrees with the fore- iggosis Unit patients should know that in prolonged con stipation with u distended lower bowel and a too extensive absorption of moisture from the fee.tl mass, it Is necessary to consume more of Hie kinds of food that are "laxative by their moisture reialiiliig properties.'' Stewed fruits such as apples, peaches and prunes are ideal foods for this purpose because they retain their moisture well down into the intes tines as well as carry hulk. They All the green vegetables such cabbage, raw and cooked, lettuce, celery, turnips, carrots and many other available for uee the year round. Dried fruits such as apples, prunes, peaches, especially when slewed are equally as plenty of fresh -i. t should be eaten when it is posslbli to obtain it. Preserved fruits such sirawberrtes. figs and others can mailable every day in the ye where It Is not possible lo fresh fruit. The dally diet have plenty of cereals as oatmeal whole wheat. A good balance of f: and oils, especially the vegetable like cotton seed oil now sold widely for making salad dressi: should be consumed regularly. M flotjr would aid greefly in taalnUlti' Ing a better balance. Such foods would not only aid In preventing constipation but would help prevent many diseases. Por people living in the country or small towns esneclal- ly in the wheat belt it should be an easy matter to have their wbeet and corn ground at nearby mills, thus re taining all the valuable food constlt- uents.of the grain. The bread and biscuits should be prepared in the old time way hy the use of yeast or by the "beaten process." The sea soning could heller be put In at homo and milk should be used In th« making. Milk and butler In abnnd- should be used In every bomw dally as one of the Important articles of diet. As before mentioned, sweets, in the form of fruit preserves should be plentiful, especially for children, which should be added frequently iple syrup, honey, and if possible procure, genuine old time molas- I. Bran should he used sp.-iringly, and If at all in the form of well cooked muffins. Take plenty of time for each meal but especially break fast. In the matter of physical ex ercise nothing cau take the place of of Cl bowel. Interrupting the orderly urul processes. The relief experien ced is only temporary. Tbe enema habit Itself, therefore becomes a cause of the very condition ii Is sought to overcome, it ulso results in washing out of the colon much food Id tbe process of fermentation uiid dlgeetlou in that importent organ, and in the case of malnourished peo- -te aggravates (hat serious condl-{ ■on. Continued and repeated Irrl-' ai.ons after a lime become very harmful. On uccouitt of the fact that nature has given man ut least partial control over tbe lower bowel, there is a difference In the peristal tic, action of tbe colon from that of the small intestines. The normal peristalsis or wave action of (lie col- only at intervals and the. movement is long and sweeping.! Those waves ore niurli more active! during tbe day than at niglii. Thus' of the most common cHiises of constipation is the failure to observe •giilarly appointed tlni" each day attention to the bowels. Irregu-! larlty wlik-li means neglect or post ponement of attention ut the exact proper lime each day is sure to- bring on constipation. It Is perhaps. Ibo moat common cause, certainly, the chief cause for the beginning oft trouble. Lack of accomodation fac-l llltles is a cause In many Industrial: -'T- der-ea lories, large stores and so on whlib employ people wltbont safriclem toilet facilities. Frequently such fac ulties In private or corporation plants kept clean and so neglect ofi this function la encouraged. In some! there Is a lack of privacy. How ever all such detects ore rapldjjy^nv' Ihofp modern construction and better Inspection service. A multitude of farm worn- rural teachers and otbere who live In rural sections without tht benefit of sewage and toilet facili ties easily establish the constipation habit because of a lack of conforta- liary privies. This is eapcfclal- ly true in cold or Inclement weather. ■doniiiry occupuilou. while Itself ii cause, becomes so often through tho contraction of lax hab its about physical exercise or exer tion. Depressing emotions such aii iirry, anxiety, fear, anger may use temporary constipation, and if •t immediately overcome and ad justment made chronic trouble may ensue. One of the simplest causes is starvation. .Many Internal niedi- specialists believe aud teach Just about as many people r-eat. All such people ln;‘vitably may expect lo suffer from constipation. Next in Importance to the failure to establish and rigidly follow "Habit Time" is the failure to partake each day of a sufficient quantity of properly balanced food. Food that fa concentrated, that has little residual matter and which, forms all or nearly all of an individ ual's food requirements for too long a time is likely to result In consti pation. This kind of constipation in Itself le not harmful; but it means that such person is neglecting to i sums the very vital elements as » of the vitamins contained only certain rough foods. Such a pro cedure is likely to result In a ser ious "deficiency" dUease In addition to the simple conatlpatlon. Some times obstinate constipation is caus ed by abuse of the "medicine habit." Prolonged use of laxatives and ca thartic drugs unless carefully watch ed by a good physician not only ot- CBuec Intractable constipation, but hringt on many serious compil ations, such as hemorrhoids, fissur- mucous, colitis, ulcers and so on Many people suffer from constipa tion for the simple reason that they fall to drink enough water. Another cause's hurry. Many people get np In a hurry. Bathing and dressing Is done Of. the mn. Children are hustled around in order to grt them ready for school. Instead of a good breakfast for all the family consist-, Ing of plenty of fruit and other prop-1 erly prepared fool, leisurely eaten I by all. they dash for the dining room! and hurriedly bolt their breakfast.! And what food! Generally insipid.! quick" patent breakfast foods, with ■ ▼ery lliile food value, bulk consider-' ed. Such a breakfast Is over within:,, from three to five minutes. More'^ This Building New Hospital I.V ADDITION TO THOSK ItKSIDI.VC Ol'TSIDK OF KDKI.V, lllOHT HKRE IN 01 H .MIDST WILL BE I- 'IJND COD.VTLKSS .NUMBERS WHO HAVE HELPED .MATERIALLY IN THE CON STRUCTION OF THE .VEW HUOH CHATHAM MEMORIAL HOS- IMTAL- THEY HAVE HELPED. NOT SOLELY THROUGH GH-TS OF MONEY, RUT MY THEIR E.NCOURAGEMENT IN NUMEROUS WAYS WHICH HAS KEPT VP THE SPIRIT AND EFFORT NEG- J-JS.SAUY' TO OO.MPLETK THE WORK. IT IS INDEED A CREDITABLE REFLECTION UPON THOSE WHO HAVE SHOULDERED THE BURDEN OF HI-»PONtt.BlLlTY AN STUCK FAITHFULLY TO THE TASK—TO THE FINISH. AND IN OPENING THE DOORS OF THE INSTITUTION THEY MAY* FEEL THAT THEIR WORK HAS BEEN WELL DONE AND MERITORIOUS OK PRAISE. WITHOUT HOSPITAL FACILITIES IN OUR COMMUNITY A KEEN NEED HAS BEEN RBAUZED FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, AND NOW THAT ONE IS AVAILABLE. AND UNDER CAPABLE MANACE.MENT AND LEADERSHIP, THE PUBLIC MAY FEEL RELIEVED IN THAT A DREAM HAS COME TRUE. DEEP GRATITUDE IS FELT FOR THE INTEREST SHOWN BY HUOH G. CHATHAM. HIS SON. THURMOND CHATHAM, THE DUKE ENDOWMENT, REV. L. B. ABERNETHY. AND ALL OTHERS WHO HAVE JOINED TO MAJCE THE HOSPITAL WHAT IT IS DESTINED TO HE—A SUCCESS WITHI.V ITSELF AND A TRUSTWORTHY REFUGE FOR THE AFFLICTED. HOSPITAL AND HOME SUPPLIES Cotton — Banda&res Adhesive — Plasters Elastic Bandages Rubber Sheeting HE Surgeon’s Gloves Ether — Chloroform Bed Pans Bathing Alcohol Catheters, Drinking Tables Prescription work our Specialty. We “Check and Double Check ’Em”, for Your Safety—and Our Satisfaction Turner Drug Co. W. D. Turner Main Street Phone 64 Geo. E. Royal! Elkin, N. C,
The Elkin Tribune (Elkin, N.C.)
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April 16, 1931, edition 2
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