482 • 



alteration iu function. But tlie altered functioning of an organ may be 

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

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

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

 lience the need of studying an individual not alone when complaining but 

 when in apparent health. A good 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 very common in people much 

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

 bo at first mere irritation, followed by active inflnnnnation and tlien scar 

 tissue. In pmixtrtion as tliere is scar tissue there is alteration of func- 

 tion, finally reaching a stage where well marked symptoms ai)pear. Whether 

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

 1)0 able to decide until the reaction has ceased or the i)at]i(»logical process 

 b.'is 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, one would have to begin at the 

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



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

 ances, acute and chronic, as impairment of abolition of the sense of smell 

 and taste, or impaired hearing and siglit. 



A host of affections or "diseases" <>f tln' respii-atory system would 

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

 bronchitis, pulmonitis, etc. 



Infection may travel down the esophagus with the production of con- 

 ditions designate<l as jiharyngitis, esophagitis, gastritis of many varieties, 

 :ind intestinal disturbances in variety, one marke<l form being attended 

 with the production of large quantities of mucus. 



Here I can not consider the influence on other aTul distant organs, the 

 kidneys for instance, or the nervous system. 



3. Discaacft Hue to AUered F\i net ion lap, more or less transient, and 

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

 cited a numlior of conditions that can not properly be called diseases at 

 all — such as the more or less transient effect of much or too little food; 

 the use of too much or too little fluid: or foods that protluce a reaction. 



