Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-11-05
Hygicnic Treat ment ofConsumption

Hygicnic Treatment ofConsumptiOn.
If there is any disease of which il is true
that an ounce Of prevention is better than
pound OF cure, that disease is cousump
ton. In fact, the only rational treatment
for this dreaded disease is hygienc ana
prophylac,ic. Medicine is Of conf arative
ly little value 1t is of the highest i'm
portance that people with weak and deli
cate lungs, or those who have an
hereditary predisposition TO con.
sumption, should know how 10
guard against the earlier stages
of the disease. One OF the most valuable
articles on this subject ever published is a
recent paper by the eminent Euglisl
physician, DR.. benjamin Ward Richard
son, which is copied from a British med
ical journal by the PopuiHr SrtcN"c
MOHthlB. in its issue for November. The
aricle embodies the results OF 30 years
experience among consumptive patients
III London hospitals. Many cases We're
cured in which the disease had advanced
beyond the help of medical science, in the
hands of ordinary practitioners; but
while d.. RlChardsou', methods may be
used eifectuHIly in such Gases, they are
far more likely to be successful, of course
Il cases where the disease has not obtain
Il ioothold in the system We give a
3riet outline Of Dr. Richardson's instruc-
Tons and ules which are so simple that
Hy person can follow them.
In the first place the consumptive pa.
tient must have a supply of pure air, both
day ard night. So long as the patient
can Ae cut OF doors, he should keep himself
there. "ln the fields, says the doctor, ION
the nils, wherever the fresh air WHITES,
where plants look most vigorous; and AMI
mails fri-k about in the JOY Of health,
there Will the cousumptiye draw III his
choicest medicine, there meet most ad
vantageously the dangers of his disease,
and there repair most easily the waste of
/ tissue" The inclemencies of the weather
may temporarily prevent this outdoor eX-
istence, but, saws the doctor, "evcn these
! Intermediates are not so much to be dread
e,i rs confinement in a house" The pa
tent may fear this treatment AT first, but
he soon comes to ste the great benefit of
it. A. much of the day a. is possible
should be spent in the open air, and in
places where the air is least mpeded and
least corrupted.
If it is impossible for the patient to be
out of doors, DR.. Richardson directs that
the living room should be well ventilated,
kept at a low temperature-uot above 90
degrees-and heated by crate with free
chimney vent, The sleeping room should
be as large as possible, and should never
be :he same as the living room. Otcourse
it should be thoroughly ventilated
"Above all things" says the doctor, 1.-THE
cOnsumptive person should be the sole
occupant of his own bed and bedroom t.
| place such a one for several hours close to
another person, however healthy, Is in
| furious to both, but especially to the sick
person; no mistaken kindness should
ever permit this rule to he broken"
Active exercise is also of the highest
importance, A reasonable amour, of
walking is the best. The patients sleep
Is better his digestion better. and his
cough les, troublesome if ne exercises as
! freely rs possible, within IA reasonable
| limit which he will soon discover fer him
self. Violent exercise i not to be thought
! Of
uniform climate is desirable, partcu
| larly near the sea coast and sheltered from
ea-tcrly winds. The dress of the patient
should be adapted to equaiize the temper
/ allure of the body, Flannel should be
worn next the skin. Too neavy clothing,
waterproof coats, chest-pads and chest
plasters should be avoided
The hours of rest should be regulated
mainly by the absence of the sun II is
best to get all the sunlight, ont doors.
thar is possible Sleep is of great impor-
tance. During exercise the expenditure
of the body exceeds the income during
sleep the Income exceeds the expenditure.
"The patient should make the sun his fel-
low workman" Excessive mental eXer-
ton should be avoided. The patient mus.
/ not read too much and never anything
! blood -curdhug or morbid or dull The
| patient should he kept cheerful. Reading
aloud from proper book Is good for him,
but his voice should not be taxed too
| heavily. The patient should take fire.
/ quent baths in tepid water, attey which
he should be thoroughly dried. The diet
/ should be ample. OF animal foods, NUT
/ ton is best. Fatty and oily foods cream,
/ plenty of fresh butter, with bread should
/ be used for such food, help respiration.
! Fresh vegetables are good The use oi
/ tobacco in all forms should be strictly
avoided
/ II the above rules are carefully follow
/ ed, Or. Richardson believes that many
! person, VINO would otherwise speedily be
carried away 10y consumption, may resist
! the disese during a long life. Negligence,
! however, is almost sure 10 produce the
/ most serious results, aud the COURSE OF
/ treatment recommended, to be effective,
must he per~isteutIy and faithfully .ollov'-
/ ed ont
King OTTO OF bavaria is Violently insane,
and his death is expected TO occur at any
moment.