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Show September 28, 1956 THE WESTERN M1NEHAL four Doctor 5 ays ... a The following is one of series of articles written by members of the Utah State Medical Association and published in cooperation with tour local newspaper These articles are scheduled to appear every other week throughout the year in an effort to better acquaint you with problems of health, and designed to improve the wellbeing of the people of Utah. THE LIVER 15 AN ESSENTIAL ORGAN The liver is the chemical factory of the body, performing a wide variety of complex functions which are vital to our existence. Among its more important functions are: (1) regulation of carbo- hydrate, protein and fat utilization including the formation, storage, and breakdown of these substances as required by the body under all conditions of stress, (2) synthesis of jnaterials essential to blood formation and dotting, (3) detoxication of products harmful to the body, and (4) elimination of waste materials. These and many other functions indicate that without a liver, man can survive but a short time. Indeed, anticipating the many diseases and injuries that may involve this organ, man has been provided with approximately ten times as much liver tissue as is necessary. This means that extensive damage may occur and yet not seriously impair body economy One of the peculiar characteristics of this organ is con-versi- on its ability to regenerate itself after damage, increasing the likelihood of a long and healthy life. Of course, repeated damage eventuates in decreased ability to perform these vital functions and ultimately death. Because of its many and varied functions, there is no single test that measures the efficiency of the liver. When a question of liver disease arises it is necessary to perform a battery of tests, each one measuring a different function so that a broad estimate can be made of the degree of damage. Nearly all diseases of the liver have symptoms in common. The patient is weak, tires easily, loses his appetite am may have associated nausea and vomiting. Weight loss is the rule. Indigestion, bloating, diarrhea and constipation are SURVEY George Washingtons Many Interests Included Science and Engineering common. There may be a noticeable tendency to easy bruising and frank hemorrhage is not uncommon. As the disease progresses, the patient becomes lethargic, increasingly unresponsive and finally coma supervenes. Any degree of activity seemingly aggravates his symptoms. One specific sign frequently noted in advanced liver disease is jaundice. Jaundice is the yellowish discoloration seen in the patients skin and particularly noticeable in the white of the eye, and is due to the deposition of bile in the tissues since the damaged liver cells no longer can adequately eliminate this material from the body. Intense itching oftentimes accompanies jaundice. Jaundice, however, does not always signify liver disease and indeed liver disease may exist without jaundice. The presence of jaundice, regardless of its origin, merits prompt consideration by a physician. Two common diseases of the liver are infectious hepatitis and cirrhosis. The first is a common communicable disorder caused by a virus, an organism too small to be seen by the ordinary microscope, producing inflammation, swelling and finally death of liver cells. During World War II infectious hepatitis was a major source of disability to our troops in the Italian area of operation. Cirrhosis of the liver is closely related to nutrition and is associated principally with alcoholism because of the commonly resulting dietary deficiencies. Similarly, it is frequently found in any population with gross nutritional inadequacy such as the Orient where millions of people largely survive on polished rice. In this disease the normal liver cells are replaced over a long period of time by scar tissue, the liver shrinks and terminally the patient ends up with a poorly functioning, small hobnail Who waa the first head of a government to express the belief that aeronautics could be useful to mankind? The answer: No less a personage than our own first President, George Washington. This week, which happens to be National Engineers' Week, the members of one of the country's largest professions are pointing to General Washington as a man who was hot only a great soldier and statesman, but also one of the who laid first engineer-builders the foundations for modern America. The question about Washingtons Interest in aeronautics may come as a surprise to most people today, considering that he died a century before the Wright Brothers got off the ground. However, when the French balloonist Jean Pierre Blanchard made the first balloon ascension in Philadelphia (and the Western Hemisphere) on January 9, 1793, President Washington went to the scene and personally issued Blanchard a passport urging all citizens to come to the aeronauts aid if necessary. The Presidents remarks at this event dearly indicate that he believed in the future development of air travel. Trained Surveyor a trained sur. Washington, who veyor began actual land surthe age of 16, was a at veying practical builder who left his mark throughout the Colonies long before he was offered the command of the Revolutionary forces. In his early military career he had the responsibility for the planning and construction of many roads, blockhouses, stockades, and forts. He not only assigned and supervised this construction work but often drew up the detailed plans for the buildings himself. One of his wilderness roads was eventually to become the great coast to coast highway, U. S. Route 40. As a strategist in the Revolutionary War his battle plans showed Washington as a man with a deep grasp of terrain and fortification conditions. Many drafts of plans for camps and battlefields are in his own hand. Washingtons unique role as a general, statesman, and technical-minded engineer is clearly shown in the museum at historic Mt. Vernon. There, along with his battle swords and official papers, are displayed his map drawing and surveying liver. Treatment of liver disease is limited and is concerned primarily with proper nutrition and rest. A variety of new substances are currently being given therapeutic tests but since we are dealing with a highly complex integrated chemical unit it is doubtful that any single remedy will restore the liver to perfect function. With proper supervision, the majority of patients with liver disease do welL The aim is to encourage the early development of new liver tissue capable of performing normal function. MORE TIRES FOR WESTERN MOTORISTS Scientific Books The numerous scientific books on the shelves of Washingtons Mt. Vernon study further suggest a man with a strongly curious mind concerning technical progress. Among the books is set entitled a many-volum- e Dictionary of the Arts and Sciences, an 18th Century British encyclopedia devoted to machines, instruments, tools, geography, and a variety of other scientific topics. Washingtons letters and diaries reflect the lively interest MINING HI LITES SILVER DOLLAR The West's booming demand for auto tires will be met by a new line of passenger car tire presses like these now being installed at B. F. Goodrich Tire Companys Los Angeles plant. Tires made there are marketed throughout the 11 western states. Part of a $6 million expansion, the new presses will increase tire output at die plant by 50 percent. MINING CO. has found a 4 per cent ura- strata at nium ore in a its Fry Mesa property between Fry and White Canyons, Utah. The drill hole was only 120 feet from the canyon rim. foot-thic- k DAYBREAK URANIUMS sup- porters were cheered by the re s Page 7 Drawing instruments used by the first President of the United States. These carefully preserved instruments at Mount Vernon could be used today by engineers and draftsmen. George Washington used the set as a young man in his surveying and map drawing work. which he took in new inventions foldings, and would be very sucand discoveries. In 1764 he was cessful in all large families. greatly impressed by an adverEngineering Side tisement for a tree pulling The side of Washof engineering engine supposedly capable no be would stranger in pulling up trees by the roots. But ington where families not was large todays he enough apparently a whole and machines deto ironing the impressed purchase of are other regvice. gadgets battery As a plantation owner and ularly used. The civil aspects of his engifarmer, Washington busied himself with such things as design- neering talents were exemplified in his personal supervision of the ing an experimental barn, and details of the original planning a barrel plow" for planting and of the Capital laying-ou- t mention His diaries such grain. was to bear his name. things as a threshing machine, City that a device for measuring exactly In his formal education and the burning power of various technical training, George Washkinds of candles, the use of ington could hardly be called a steam power for boats, and professional engineer as we know the term today. But Washof all things a boat designed to travel upstream ington was in spirit and attitude every bit the engineer-scienti- st through rapids. type. His limitations were only Potomae Canal the limitations of science itself g interest in his day. Washingtons in cheap river transportation for In his advice-fille- d farewell adthe struggling Colonies led him dress to the young Republic, to design and supervise the con- Washington urged that the citicanal on zens . . . Promote then as an struction of a mile-lon- g the Potomac River which al- object of primary Importance, lowed boats to pass around the institutions for the general diftreacherous Great Falls. Swamp fusion of knowledge. As the nations drainage also claimed Washingtons attention, and he devoted 400,000 engineers approximately observe their much time and energy to the re- Week, it is obvious that a conclaiming of farm land from siderable amount of technical water-fille- d swamps in Virginia. knowledge has been diffused In the turbulent months of since Washingtons day. 1776 General Washington gave 20th Century Career his personal attention to an idea submarine for a crank-drive- n Engineering in the 20th Cenwhich was to ram British war- tury is a career of opportunity. ships with an explosive charge. Interested young people or their In the happier days of 1787 parents may obtain a tree bookthe Statesman Washington could let that gives the basic facts take time out to record a brief about this challenging profesnote in his diary after examining sion. The booklet, Engineering A Career of Opportunity," an ironing machine, or mangle. Wrote the military saviour of is available from the National his country: Well calculated for Society of Professional Engitable cloths and such articles as neers, 2029 K Street, N.W., have not pleats and Irregular Washington 6, D. C. hand-power- ed life-lon- ... port of an independent mining engineer and metallurgist who complimented the management and said ore reserves are large and easily concentrated. Proven commercial ore was estimated at 0 55,800 tons; inferred ore at tons and potential ore at for proven ore, nearly $5,000,000 for inferred ore and more than $10,000,000 for potential ore. Deep drilling might enhance the estimates, the report said. In addition to the 55,800 tons of proven ore of commercial grade, the company has proven tons. 56,400 tons of ore which can be At a conservative net profit economically upgraded into a figure of $10 per ton after all commercial product by a simple, costs, this would mean $500,000 low-coprocess. 461,-70- st w.- Welcome A. I. M.E. Members MINING EQUIPMENT HEADQUARTERS FOR WEMCO PRODUCTS - W.K.E. SERVICE AND OTHER NATIONALLY KNOWN LINES OF MINING EQUIPMENT Western Machinery Company 2300 South Main Street Salt Lake City aS |