HEALTH
D., H. E. Dearholt, M.
Health By H. E. DEARHOLT, M, fit Director, Health Instruction Bureau, Univenity of Wisconsin Extension Division DON'T DODGE TRUTHS; YOU CAN'T ESCAPE SIX YEARS ago a man in West Allis, Wisconsin,...
...Strange commentary on human nature, that, isn't it...
...The physician upon close questioning found that he had lost some weight and coughed occasionally...
...The patient never did apologize for his libelous statements...
...Blank...
...He pooh-poohed the suggestion...
...The doctor lost patients...
...That story is being duplicated all over the state many, many times each year...
...Many new ones did not wish to consult a physician who "ex-aggerated the symptoms of a little cold into a dangerous case of tuberculo-sis," etc...
...Fortified in this manner, the patient vented his spleen upon the first doctor, Dr...
...The physician made a thorough examination of the patient and finally concluded that he had to deal with a case of consumption...
...Indeed it moves as slowly and stealthily as a snake...
...It was utter nonsense...
...The patient made light of his symptoms and insisted that he was not realiy ill but needed merely a "bracer...
...Ask your family physician, for instance, if he hasn't had a similar experience...
...More than that, I believe I am safe in guessing that he never even forgave the doctor for telling him an unpleasant truth...
...Blank, who had made him uncomfortable for a moment...
...The latter told the patient what he wanted to bear—that he bad no tuberculosis and that he "needed only to take eare of himself for a time, and he would be all right...
...It was just the other day that the patient died—of tuberculosis...
...He complained of being tired and in a somewhat run down condition...
...Instead of beginning treatment he consulted another doctor...
...YOU CAN'T ESCAPE SIX YEARS ago a man in West Allis, Wisconsin, consulted a physician...
...The news that Dr...
...Blank was "crazy on the subject of tuberculosis" was easily and rapidly spread...
...West Allis is not a large town...
...He wanted a tonic to brace him up...
...It took six years to vindicate Dr...
...Indeed it illustrates one of the most important reasons why tubercu-losis succeeds in killing so many people...
...Others, of more heroic mould, stick to their duty and suffer as a consequence in pocketbook and reputation...
...He frankly told his visitor so and advised proper treatment The patient however would have none of it...
...Some practitioners have had it happen so often that they have quit telling their patients unpleasant truths for which they are rewarded by abuse only...
...Tuberculosis drags along...
Vol. 6 • June 1914 • No. 24
