482 



altt'i-atiou 111 function. I'.ut the allci'cd fiim-tionint,' of an (irgan may be 

 perfectly natural for such an altered oriian. it could not be otherwise. 

 The presence of an acute disease may so modify "the normal action of an 

 abnormal organ" that at tirst sight a case may seem very mystifying — 

 hence the need of studying an individual not alone when comidaining but 

 when in apparent health. A gcwd family physician in time learns much 

 about his patient and knows just what to do in case of an acute disturb- 

 ance. 



Alterations in organs and tissues are veiy common in peoiile much 

 exposed to infective matter, especially in the air they inhale. There may 

 be at tirst mere irritation, followed by active intlaniination and then scar 

 tissue. Ill proportion as there is scar tissue there is alteration of func- 

 tion, finally reaching a stage where well marked symptoms appear. Whether 

 to speak of disease or reaction is often a matter of doubt ; one may not 

 be able to decide until the reaction has ceased or the pathological proces-; 

 has run its course. (One is reminded of "How to distinguish mushrooms 

 from toadstools." ) 



If one were to enumerate systematically the diseases, maladies, or 

 affections to be ruled out in dust victims, oue would have to begin at the 

 nose and mouth where the inhaled infection first shows its effects. 



Infection reaching the sense organs may produce all sorts of disturb- 

 ances, acute and chronic, as impairn>ent of abolition of the sense of smell 

 and taste, or impaired hearing and sight. 



A host of affections or "diseases" of th(> respiratory system would 

 have to be considered, such as rhinitis, laryngitis, tonsilitis. tracheitis, 

 bronchitis, pulmonitis, etc. 



Infection may travel down the esojihagus with the ])roduction of con- 

 ditions designated as iibaryngitis. esoi)Iiagitis, gastritis of many varieties, 

 and intestinal disturbances iij variety, one marked form being attended 

 with the iiroduction of large (|uantiti(>s of unicus. 



Here I can not consider the intluence on oilier and distant organs, the 

 kidneys for instance, or the nervous sy.stem. 



3. Di.scasis hue In Mh rill /'iiHcHnniii!/. more ov less transient, and 

 more or less bound up with conditions described above. Here might be 

 cited a numl»er of conditions that can n()t pro|terly be called diseases at 

 all — such as the more or less transient elTect of much or too litth^ food; 

 the use of too i ji ur too lilllc llnid : or I'ooils that lu'oduce a reaction, 



