As a young boy, arthritis was the first Western disease I was familiar with. Bertha Cooper, my beloved paternal grandmother, was afflicted by this disease for many years. It was very severe in her wrists, and joints. I can recall her asking me if she would like to buy Ben Gay, a white pharmaceutical antiinflammatory rubbing cream. She would also rub Ben Gay on her wrists, joints, and tendons. I was a small boy and didn't know much about disease.…
