How to examine for life insurance / By John M. Keating.

  • John Marie Keating
Date:
1890
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: How to examine for life insurance / By John M. Keating. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University.

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    companies employing them, and we will have fewer deaths among recent applicants from such indefinite causes as paralysis of the heart, angina pec- toris, general debility, congestion, dropsy, etc. 4. / 'ertigo.—Where there is a history of vertigo, be thorough in your investi- gation as to its origin. We have had more than one death from apoplexy where the Examiner was positive that a previous vertigo was caused by a digestive disturbance. Bear in mind that in centric or brain vertigo, the surrounding objects seem to move, and closing the eyes relieves this symptom, while in the reflex variety, when the eyes are closed the patient himself seems to move. However, in either kind, well-marked cases of recent occurrence would better be postponed if applicant is past 40 years of age. BrighVs Disease and Diabetes.—As heretofore, we are still convinced that we are justified in leaving urinalysis to the judgment of our Medical Ex- aminers, believing that in the very great majority of cases there is something in applicant's appearance or personal history that will suggest its advisability to the alert physician. Chiefest among the indications are a dry, harsh skin, anaemia, pallor, oedema of face or extremities, any appearance or history of weakness, nervous exhaustion, over-work, irritability of temper, loss of virility, frequent headaches, disordered vision, excessive thirst, excessive or scanty uresis. For practical purposes, where there is no marked indication of disease, it will be sufficient to take the specific gravity and apply the albumin test of heat and nitric acid, which can be done in five minutes' time, with very little inconvenience and no expense. If specific gravity is found to be too high, or there is cloudiness in the albumin test, apply other tests, and secure another specimen of urine ; before testing for albumin, if urine is not of acid reaction, render it so by the addition of a few drops of acetic acid. The Examiner is expected to use the test with which he is most familiar; but in addition to the well-known tests of Trommer, Fehling, Haines, etc., you will find Neidlander's Bismuth test a very pretty one, though not so delicate. Prepare as follows: Subnit. bismuth, 30 grains; Soda et potas. tartrate, 1 drachm; Liq. potas. [U. S. P.], 3 ounces. Mix and filter. Boil thoroughly a small quantity of the urine with equal part of the solution, and if sugar be present the mixture will turn a dark brown or black color. SUBJECTS DEMANDING SPECIAL CARE, INQUIRY AND EXPLANATION. Where the applicant's occupation is considered hazardous. Where there has been a rapid increase of weight, or a recent decrease. Where the abdominal measurement is greater than that of the thorax, or where the applicant cannot easily get two inches chest expansion. When the family history shows hereditary diseases of any kind. When the applicant has had any severe or recent illness, or when there is a history of general debility or nervous prostration. In cases where the applicant presents any deformity or has undergone any surgical operation. Where an applicant has ever had syphilis or stricture. Those who have had asthma, or who are subject to malaria. Where the applicant has a rapid pulse, especially if he has ever had rheu- matism.