HEALTH NOTES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5200, 7 November 1927, Page 4

HEALTH NOTES.

ENLARGED GLANDS. UNDERLYING CAUSES. (Contributed by the Department of Health). The signficance of enlarged glands may be realised from a brief study of some of the underlying causes. The tissues forming the human body are permeatd everywhere by a watery fluid called lymph, from which they derive nourishment, and into which enter the waste, products resulting from cell activity. This lymph is gathered into an intricate system of vessels called the lymphatics, which ultimately discharge their content into the general blood stream. The lymphatic system is thus often spoken of as the “drainage” system of the body. It will be seen that no tissue can be issued or poisonous matter enter it at any point without the possibility that the harmful process thus begun will by means of the lymphatics be extended throughout the whole body. The danger would be greater than it is, however, wore it not for an important series of glands —the lymphatic glands—through which the lymph passes on its way to the blood stream. It is a duty of the lymphatic glands to act as filters which hold back poisonous or harmful material brought to them by the lymph vessels, and thus prevent its being carried to other parts of the body. Lymphatic glands because of this function, are often referred to as “the first line of defence” of the body against harmful invasion. MAIN GROUPS. Lymphatic glands may be divided into two main groups—those which are superficial, and, those which are deeply placed within the body. The superficial group receive' names according to their position. Thus we have the inguinal glands, situated in either groin ; axiliary glands, in the armpits ; and the cervical glands, in various parts of the neck. Ordinarily the superficial lymphatic glands cannot bq felt, but if, owing to the absorption of some foreign matter, a process of inflammation is set up within them they enlarge and can be felt, or even seen, as distinct nodules or local swellings. Of deep lympnatlc glands two important groups are the, pulmonary, situated at, the root of the lungs, and. the abdominal. These glands are similarly affected by inflammation or disease of adjacent tissues, and may become, in consequence, enlarged and inflamed. Thei chief foreign agents which may be absorbed through different parts of the body are bacteria, and they, or the products of their activity, are the commonest causes of enlarged glands.

Enlargement of the glands of the neck is frequently caused by some unhealthy condition of the mouth, throat and nose, or skin. Decayed teeth, inflamed tonsils, adeinpids, sores about the face or scalp, are often responsible. When appropriatei treatment is obtained and the, source of irritation removed the glands readily subside. If it be neglected, however, the trouble may extend beyond the first group of glands and pass on to the next, until ultimately we get a string of enlarged glands hi the neck. Similarly an infected sore in the foot oi’ in the hand may result in enlargement and tenderness of the glands in the groin and armpit respectively. EARLY TREATMENT. Where virulent bacteria enter .'the tissues the lymphatic glands may be powerless to arrejst their progress and prevent their invasion of the body, so that general “blood poisoning” occurs, and death may insult. In any area where the inflammatory process is very acute the whole s übstances of the gland may break down, and lead to the formation of an abscess requiring surgical treatment. If, however, the local unhealthy condition is more chronic, or occurs at frequent intervals, the inflamed gland doej>’ not return to normal, but remains enlarged, and perhaps tender. The more chronic inflammation does not lead, as a rule, to abscess formation. Acute, inflammation or .chronic enlargement of lymphatic glands always indicates the necessity for medic,al advice. Prompt treatment for the local unhealthy condition and immediate removal of the cause of (irritation generally result in a returh to health before the disease has broken through the line of resistance o f the lymphatic glands. If the conudith an be neglected an extension'of the tremble into deeper tissues of the body is inevitable. As stated before, b: jtcteji’ia are the commonest causes of e jnlarged glands, and of these the tube ircle bacillus is among the greatest o ffenders. Early treatment is of prim ary importance, since neglect mean; 3 extension of tuberculosis to pthe r parts of the body, and consequent fly a greatly diminished hope of ult imate cure. Another serious ce mse of enlarged glands may be cancer . The lymphatic system can absorb c< ills and cell products from cancerpi is, growths, and, like all other substa ncas in access to the lymphatic these foreign materials ai’e “filtf«red out” by the lymphatic glands. Hi ere the cancer cells become implanted and tfiej malignant process is thus ex tended. In cancer of the breast, fo r example, the glands in the armpit a nay become involved. In ciincer’o. f the lips and tongue the lymphatic glands of the neck are affeeteo 7 . H( mce it is most necessary, when a., sus picious “lump” or “ulcer” appears, th at there should be no delay in seeking' medical advice, the, prospect of obtaining a permanent cure in malignant disease depending very largely upon the extent of tlie involvement of the adjacent glands. Early cancerous conditions rarely cause pain, but since /prompt treatment is of such vital io ipor'tance the existence o f persistently enlarged glands in any part of t he body calls for an immediate inves' Ligation as to the underlying cause.