The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-31
DECREASED MORTALITY.

tanned by consulting the records of the New
York Presbyterian, Roosevelt and other
hospitals.
DECREASED MORTALITY.
The writer would not be understood to
say that typhoid fever may not reach a
favorable termination without the cold
baths Under the spoliative method of
treatment even number of cases recov-
cred, and under the more modern treatment
the average death rate is about 25 per cent
But this great mortality may and has been
greatly reduced by the recent methods of
treatment. Although statistics are proverb-
tally unreliable in medicine, being the re-
suit Of many cleaners in many fields, it is
fortunate for the veal of mankind that a
series of observations are on record which
are faultless. The History Book of the Mill
tary Hospital at Munich records S,325 cases
of typhoid fever treated in the course of
forty-seven years. These records show an
average mortality of 20 per cent. until the
bath treatment was adopted. The mortality
shows gradual decrease from timid and
modified cold bath treatment; since
the strict Brand method was
adopted the average mortality has
been below per cent. These
statistics are unassailable because they are
compiled from military hospital, they ex-
tend over a long period, they affect large
numbers OF one sex, of nearly the same age,
same food ans living together under the
same environment. This admirable record,
which is the result of the observations of
the various surgeons who had charge of
these hospitals during a period of half a
century, and shows the n9rvelously favor
able influence of the cold bath in typhoid
fever would warrant the assertion that a
similar reduction in the mortality of the
dread disease would ensue If the medical
profession were unanimous in adopting the
Brand bath There are many obstacles to
their contamination which are less inherent
in the physicians than in their clientele.
Even timid application of cold water in
tLis disease has improved the treatment.
MODERN METHODS.
have taken typhoid fever as an example
of the result of modern methods in the
treatment of fevers. The same progress has
been made in the treatment of other fevers,
especially in the eruptive fevers-scarlet
fever, measles and smallpox-the physician
has adopted the method Of armed neutral
ity. The hot teas and closed rooms of the
past generation have given way to cooling
drinks, cold sponging. and If indicated,
bathing and ample ventilation. The attitude
of the modern physician may be likened
to that of the captain of ship. who, stand
ing at the helm, utilizes the forces of nature
and art, wind, tide and steam to enable
him to carry his vessel into port. Just as
the ship captain avoids the shoals with
learned by experience, so does the physi-
clan avoid the complications and avert the
danger of each disease by measures learned
from experience, and so does he guide the
patient into the harbor Of health. The
captain who orders the sails reefed before
the storm approaches may be likened to the
physician who. for instance, orders the cold
baths i'm typhoid fever before the patient S
system is undermined by the poison.
The physician whose lack of experience
and whose regard for the present comfort
OF the patient renders him timd in the APP
plication of cold waters in fevers. and who
defers active bathing until the patient be-
comes delirious or other danger is present,
NAV be lilxened to the captain who, fearing
the loss of speed. reefs only part of his
sails and awaits the fury of the storm ere
he hauls in every sheet Both may avoid
disaster but safety is assured by discern
ing danger from afar and preparing to meet
it ere the storm has burst forth in full
fury.
The advantages of modern fever treat
ment may be epitomiZed in the recognition
Of the fact that the patient and not the
| disease must be treated; that the former
must be fortified to enable him to resist
disease while the latter is watched witt
unceasing vigilance to avert ell possible
| complications. 1t follows that the moderr
/ physician has a more difficult task thar
| his predecessor, who believed he coulf
| throttle disease by blood-letting anC
/ abundant medication.