The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-06-26
CURE FOR CONSUMPTION.

Review of Reviews.
1t is now definitely established that
consumption is a durable disease. Like
every other chronic malady, if it is per-
mitted to possess itself of the system and
complicate itself with other disorders
it is beyond remedy. But taken in time,
and dealt with in its incipient stages, re-
coyery is practically assured. When the
character of the mlcrobe became known,
it only remained tc subject it to the con-
ditions most unfavorable to its existence.
Oxygen destroys it It's deadliest enemies
are pure air and light. Half an hour of
sunshine is sure to kill it. And the most
efficient treatment is, therefore, that
" hich gives freest play to these agencies.
Hence, hygienic and dietetic methods
are of the highest Importance. What
ever has been done Through medication
is of slight value in comparison. There
fore, the great results come when pa
t1ents are merely subjected to q simple
and rational regimen whose chief ele-
ments are pure air, sunlight and album
dant nutrition under conditions that allow
these factors to exert their influence to
the greatest possible extent. With the
new methods it is no longer held neceS-
sary for the patient to seek a climate of
the kind that has been supposed to pos
sess sorne specific property against the
disease. The benefits from mild climates
are now seen to be due chiefly to tie
effects of the outdoor life that the Gil
mate encourages. But whatever the ad-
vantages of such a climate, they are
liable to be offset by the depressing in
fuences that follow separation from
home and friends, with consequent mel
encholy. The expense, for the great
majority of patients, also bars the way
to the change. Therefore, the most de-
sirable treatment, on the whole, is that
which keeps the patients near home. This
is the conclusion reached by the author
of one of the most important works on
pulmonary tuberculosis, Dr. S. A. Knopf,
of New York, who expresses his thorough
disbelief in the specific curative quality
of any climate, and therefore would
place sanatorium where it would do the
greatest good to the greatest number
He holds that it is essential to the ma
jority OF tuberculous patients to be
treated and cured in the same. or near
ly the same climate where they will nave
to live and work after their restoration
to health.
The general tendency in rational treat
ment accords with this idea All over
the civilized world sanatoria are now
to be found for the treatment of con-
sumptives within convenient reach of
their homes and in a climate which at
least does not radically differ from that
to which they are ACCUSTOMED. In the
sanatoria, as a rule, the methods pur-
sued are those indicated in the light
of modern advances, being chiefly based
upon fresh air treatment and abundant
nutrition, with all due precautions
against infection. Details vary accord
Ing to the systems elaborated by the
specialists in charge. AS to the value
of fresh air, one of the most eminent
OF German specialists, DR.. Dettweiler.
has for over twenty years maintained
that elements like temperature, humid
ity and atmospheric pressure-upon
which great stress had commonly been
laid-are really of slight consequence;
pure air and proper nutrition being the
main things
It is important that the entire time
of the patient should be passed in pure
air. The vigilance of this incessant
campaign against the enemy should not
be relaxed a moment. Therefore, good
air has to be provided for the time spent
within doors. Otherwise, the foe will
take advantage of the armistice With
the new forces thus recruited by him,
the advantages gained will be largely
cCunteracted Hence the rooms have
not only to be kept scrupulously clean
and disinfected, but thoroughly ven
tilated. The patient has to sleep with
window open as wide as possible In
certain German sanatoria abundant
pure air at night IS so insisted upon that
there are no windows in the openings
An abundance of bedclothing is provided
and the patient soon learns to sleep in
comfort in the most inclement weather
even though the snow blows in. The ex-
cess of oxygen fairly burns the noxious
microbes out of the system. Valuable
results are reported from systems that
call for light and air for the entire body
According to the testimony of a prom
inent American physician, Dr. Charles
E. Page, of Boston, the most success
full sanatorium in Europe is that at
Veldes. in Austria, where for the greater
part Of the time the patients go without
any clothing whatever. In advanced
methods, hydrotherapy, or treatment
with water, holds a place second only
to the fresh-air treatment. The applica-
ton of fresh water, by douche, etc.,
proves to have a remarkable tonic effect
in the treatment of tuberculosis.
Altogether, pure air in supera;bundance
lies at the foundation of all rational
treatments. These differ only in details
Few chronic maladies are more easily
durable. While treatment at home often
yields favorable results, experience
teaches that the chances for recovery
are much greater under treatment in
sanatoria, where the patient is under
constant medical supervision But
health resorts" where such supervision
is absent, are full of danger for pa
iaraf and r7r1hI