ASTHMA 



477 



Asthma. Any condition of difficulty in breathing is popularly 

 known as asthma. Some conditions of asthma are due to lung 

 infections, others to food poisoning. If cer- 

 tain foods disagree with a person, the reaction 

 may be shown by an asthmatic condition. 

 Frequently, rashes are caused by a sensi- 

 tivity to certain foods. In order to discover 

 what food is causing the reaction, different 

 foods are injected below the skin. If the skin 

 shows irritation, the food causing it is taken 

 from the diet and the asthma often clears up. 



When a plant pollen causes asthma, it is 

 known as hay fever. Vaccinations of pollen 

 are inoculated into the skin to see which of 

 the pollens cause the sensitivity. The pollen 

 from the ragweed is responsible for many cases 

 of hay fever. When the right pollen is de- 

 termined, small quantities of it are inoculated 

 into the sensitive person until he works up 

 an immunity. Up to the present time these 

 vaccinations have not always proved suc- 

 cessful. 



Focal infections. Bacteria at some point 

 or focus in the body frequently multiply and 

 produce toxins which are absorbed into the 

 body and affect other parts. When people 

 tire easily, lack normal energy, and are 

 subject to pains in the joints and muscles, 

 they may have a focal infection. Other 

 evidences of focal infections are inflammatory 

 rheumatism, heart disease, kidney disease, lumbago, and nervous 

 conditions such as neuritis and neuralgia. When any of these 

 conditions occurs, the doctor usually looks for a focal infection. 



Skin tests may be made 

 to determine an individ- 

 ual's sensitivity to differ- 

 ent foods. Small volumes 

 of different foods are in- 

 jected under the skin or 

 small amounts are rubbed 

 into tiny gashes made on 

 the arm. One cut, the 

 control, is not treated with 

 food. Little or no red- 

 ness or soreness is pres- 

 ent near the control. 

 Varying amounts of in- 

 flammation appear about 

 the infected areas. Red- 

 ness and soreness denote 

 a positive reaction and 

 indicate sensitivity. 



