The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

PAGE 2-PLAINDEALER-WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1975 ft spurgeons Keep Up the Brisk Pace on a Wedge of Cush-y Crepe 7 '99 Pair Buckle down or tie-up with the most comfortable shoe a-foot! Take our '75 model T-strap for a test-stroll. Feel the way the high wedge or crepe cushions your foot! Or, set foot in our 5-eyelet moc-toe oxford for a classic look with a great new feeling! Both in saddle tan. Sizes 5 to 10. 385-4520 II BEAUTY SALON TIES. 9-5 WED. 9-5 (Senior Citizens Day) THURS.-FRI. 9-9 SAT. 9-6 189 16 5 6 9 1 MMI cuttoMia •••• Market Place Shopping Center 4400 W. Rte. 120 McHenry 385-4100 fJMk) When You STOP at the K McHenry State Bank You May Pay Your Lake & McHenry County Taxes REAL ESTATE TAXES ARE DUE OCTOBER 1st You May Pay Your McHenry or Lake County Real Estate Taxes To Any Teller^in the Lobby of the McHenry State Bank. The McHenry State Bank 3510 W. ELM STREET McHENRY - 385-1040 A FULL SERVICE BANK The Shopper's Guide to Avoiding Unnecessary Sugery 4 MILLION OPERATIONS DEEMED UNNECESSARY By Herbert S. Denenberg Former Commissioner Pensylvania Insurance Dept. As many as 4 million people a year in the United States are subjecting themselves to un­ necessary surgical operations. They do so often without adequate investigation or consideration. The result is a tragic tell of human lives and suffering. 1 As the noted surgeon. Dr. Paul R. Hawley, once said: "I shall never cease to be astonished at the number of people who would not invest a penny in any enterprise without full assurance of its safety, yet who will hop on the operating table and permit anyone to cut into their bellies." Numerous studies suggest that unnecessary surgery has reached the level of a national scandal. One of the more noteworthy studies was con­ ducted in 1962 and 1964 by the Columbia University School of Public Health and Ad­ ministrative Medicine. After reviewing 60 hysterectomies, it concluded: "One-third of the patients were operated on unnecessarily and questions could be raised on the advisability of the operation in another 10 per cent." It also found that there were serious questions about the necessity of seven of 13 caesarian sections studied during that time. I)r. Charles E. Lewis, a Harvard specialist in com­ munity health, concluded a 1969 stuch' by comparing results to a "medical variation of Parkinson's Law: patient admissions for surgery expand to fill beds, operating suites and surgeon's time." How to decide... But how does an average person determine whether a particular operation is necessary or not? In the first place, don't assume that you can place blind trust in our system of medical care. As Ralph Nader has pointed out: "Conditions of medical care are often criminally negligent, especially for the poor and even at times for the relatively af­ fluent.. .The rocketing cost of health care with the invent of socialized payment of physicians' bills through Medicare has not improved the quality of care, but it has enriched the medical profession to an unprecedented degree." You are placing undue trust in our medical care system if you assume one doctor is as good as another or that any doctor can provide you with the quality medical care you need. Rules to follow... It is extremely difficult for the average person to make any valid comparisons of doctors, and it is impossible -- as well as unwise -- to diagnose your own case. But there are some simple rules that help you determine whether surgery that is prescribed is really needed. The first rule is not to go directly to a surgeon for treatment. If possible, start with a general practitioner or internist. LJnfortunately, there is a shortage of general practitioners and a surplus of surgeons. Everyone should have a family doctor. Don't wait until you urgently need one. A good one can have time to know you and learn your medical history. He will thus be in a better position to provide the care you need and saVe you from having an unnecessary operation. Most surgeons are com­ petent. conscientious, careful and conservative, as are most other physicians. Only a small ^minority are knife-happy, incompetent or greedy. But there is a tendency for them to do their own thing, which is to perform surgery. Countervailing force... Even in the case of a superb surgeon, a general practitioner or internist can often serve as a countervailing force against the tendency of a surgeon to operate. Medical men tend to be more conservative. The second rule is to make sure any surgeon who is to perform on you is board cer­ tified. This means that his competence as a surgeon has been certified by one of the American Specialty Boards after a vigorous oral, written and clinical examination. About 51,000 surgeons are B- -rd-certified. In J. 'ne, 1972, Dr. Eric W. Fonkalsrud, a member of the editorial board of the American Medical Association's "Ar­ chives of Surgery," estimated that about half of the operations in this country were being performed by doctors who were not Board-certified. It is also advisable to check out the anesthesiologist to be sure that he also is well qualified. Independent View... A third rule is to consider getting an independent con­ sultation or opinion even if your family doctor and surgeon agree that major surgery is necessary. Some studies show that consultations can reduce operations by as much as 20 to 60 per cent. As Dr. Lawrence P.Williams, author of the book, "How to Avoid Unnecessary Surgery," says: "The old saying, two heads are better than one, is as true in medicine as anywhere else - possibley even more so. for conscientious doctors have found out that in order to present a problem case to another doctor, they must first review and organize the facts of the case. This in itself often makes the problem clearer." Another important rule is to make sure that you doctor explains all the alternatives and complications. In fact, a doctor who fails to disclose the risks of surgery , may open himself up to a malpractice suit. Under the legal doctrine of informed consent, a patient who has not been fully advised about the risks of surgery has not legally consented to it. You are entitled to have the facts and make the final decision. As the television show says, "This is Your Life." This series is based on The Shopper's Guidebook to Life Insurance, Health In­ surance, Auto Insurance, Homeowner's Insurance, Doctors, Dentists, Lawyers, Pensions, Etc. by Herbert S. Denenberg. Consumer News Inc., Washington, D.C., 20045. 156 pp. $3.50. SERVICE NEWS Navvman Andre T. Kac- zvnski, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Kaczynski of 905 W. Wright, McHenry, was graduated from recruit training at the naval Training center. Great Lakes, 111. Classes include instruction in s e a m a n s h i p , m i l i t a r y regulations, firefighting, close order drill, first aid and Navy history. Navy Seaman Recruit Stephen J. Elliott, son of Mr. and Mrs. Glenn J. Elliott of 4410 W. Ponca, McHenry, was graduated from recruit training at the Naval Training center. Great Lakes. Classes include instruction in s e a m a n s h i p , m i l i t a r y regulations, firefighting, close order drill, first aid and Navy history. Marine Corporal Richard S. Lay ton, son of Mr. Richard J. Layton of 302 Kent road, McHenry, has been promoted to his present rank while ser­ ving at the Marine barracks. Naval Training center. Great Lakes. Hurricane Season Other storms, like tornadoes, may generate stronger winds, but none can match the combined intensity, size, duration, and destructiveness of the hurricane The hurricane season runs from June through September In the last 50 years. 92 hurricanes have reached the United States, leaving 5.047 dead Hurricane winds and rains claim more than 50 lives, and cause more than $100 million worth of property damage each year along the Atlantic and Gulf coastal states •X'l'X'X'X'I'X'X'X-X'X'X'X'X'SSX-V'-' AT BEN FRANKLIN THURS--FRI--SAT--SUN. SUPER SAVINGS SP Sale of Single & Double Knit YARD GOODS Single Knit Double Knit |Reg. *2.29 Yd. 54" ALL 60" IOO%, POLYESTERS ! Reg. *2.59 & *2.79 54.V REG. *2.99 Yd. Sale PHM 65% Polyester 35% Cotton Sheet Blankets •2441 WM YD. % PKG. of 100 Paper Place Mats ASST. DESIGNS REG. >1.29 PKG. *1 Rawhide Dog Toys ASST. STYLES FOR MOST BREEDS REG. 79' to n.OO VALUES 2»'1 65% POLY. 35°o COTTON SIZE 70" x 84" REG. -4.99 Choice of Colors ALL SIZES OF OUR 4 REG. 69* ON SALE 1HIS WEEK FOR 0NLV Bath Room Tissue Package of 8 Rolls A Super Value! Boxed Envelopes 444 I Rnx SUe Polyester Fill For Pillows - Toys Etc. $127 16 OZ. BAG {117 1 WAS '1.99 Super Value! 1 BIG MAMA KNEE-HION SALE FOR QNiY 2 fa88* TULIP BULB ALL RED or ASST. PKg. of 25 Mixed RED. ONLY *264 iiffEMSirL:' t . 'A.. ITTT BENtFRAN KLIN 1250 N. Green St McHenry Your Friendly Fashion Store Big enough to be complete Small enough to give you service WEEKDAYS 9:00-5:30 FRIDAY 9:00-8:30 SUNDAY 10:00-12:30 v