Show You and Your Health By MORRIS FISHBEIN J Journal of the tho American Medical Association an and of fh Health Magazine 1 More attention is focused on the lips nowadays than used to be given these interesting tissues Since the earliest times they have been known for their distinct association with various s sexual manifestations Most human beings beings beings be be- ings indulge in kissing to demonstrate demonstrate demonstrate demon demon- strate affection There are of races which do not course some practice kissing but show their affection in other ways Many different forms of of- irritation irritation tion and swelling may affect the lips They may become chronically chronically chronically chroni chroni- cally inflamed with scales and crusts as a result of being The use of certain lipsticks lipsticks lipsticks lip lip- sticks or mouth mouthwashes mouthwashes mouthwashes washes may lead to such trouble In other cases cases the condition seems to be associated with various nervous irritations Occasionally a pimple may appear on the lip and turn into a boil Serious infections with streptococci streptococci streptococci cocci are exceedingly dangerous when they affect the lips because of the large blood supply there and the consequent danger of the germs spreading to the body gen gen- emIly A spot of chronic irritation may form on the lip as the result of holding a pipe at one point rubbing rubbing rubbing rub rub- bing by a tooth or some other cause These irritations occasionally develop into tumors An irritated spot on the lip is much more serious than it would be elsewhere on the body because lip cancer is known to grow and spread most rapidly It is of great importance to recognize the nature nature nature na na- na- na ture of an infection a growth or oran oran oran an irritation on the lip as soon as possible because speed and efficiency efficiency effi effi- clency of early treatment determine determine determine deter deter- mine in many instances the final result Cancer of the lip may be treated by complete removal through surgery by irradiation with radium radium ra ra- or the X-ray X by electric coagulation coagulation co co- or by the combination of various methods The most frequent recommendation recommendation recommendation dation involves removal of the lesion by surgery or by electric coagulation first and treatment with radium afterward to prevent spread Ordinary infections of the lip frequently are treated with vanous various various vari van ous mild mUd ointments but the more extensive cases sometimes require use of the X The condition which affects lips especially those of women most commonly is the so-called so fever blister fever sore or herpes These frequently are associated with nervous strains indigestion sunburn the eating of various indigestible substances or those to which the person may be sensitive sensitive sensitive tive or with other causes These little blisters usually tingle tingle tingle tin tin- gle and burn at first then become tender Afterward they break open and dry up disappearing completely until the next crop ap ap- ap- ap pears The treatment commonly used is the application of camphor or alcoholic solutions of camphor |