418 A YEAR IN SCIENCE 



i 



benumb the nerves; hot or cold applications, or elec- 

 tricity may also be used. 



In a few instances, it is possible to destroy the 

 germs directly. This is true for germs in the throat, 

 nose, and skin where they can be reached and destroyed 

 by antiseptics. 



It is most essential that every one realize the neces- 

 sity of putting a sick person into the hands of a 

 competent physician. Home remedies are seldom bene- 

 ficial, and they are often harmful. Discretion is neces- 

 sary in the selection of a physician, for he must be 

 honest as well as skillful and well-trained. We may 

 always be certain that a physician who advertises is 

 not reliable. Many efforts have been made in the past 

 few years to protect the public against " quack" 

 doctors w T ho profess to have some secret cure for dis- 

 eases. However, there are still thousands of these 

 incompetent practitioners operating all over the coun- 

 try. By foul means and under false pretenses they get 

 their patients ' money. 



In the same class with " quack" doctors must be 

 placed many patent medicines. Some of these medicines 

 are good, and especially so when taken under the 

 direction of a physician. Many, however, are not only 

 useless, but they are also harmful, frequently contain- 

 ing alcohol and other harmful drugs. Headache tablets, 

 in particular, often contain opiates. Death sometimes 

 results from their use. The alcohol in patent medicines 



