Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-04-22
S~ANiTARIUM CURE.
Great Results Beina Achieved in
Treatment Of Consumption
at Fort Stanton.

Dr. p. M. Darlington, q i,
charge of he United States Marine
hospital at Fort Stanton, N. NJ. ha.
prepared one of the most valuable IA
pers ever submitted by an American
expert upon the treatment of tubercu
Iosis- The paper is based upon the OBJ
servationS and results in three HIM
dred and three cases of pulmonary tu
berculosis which have been treated
by DIR. Darlington at Fort Stanton
since the establishment of that insti
tuition DIR. Carrington's endorsement
OF the climate will be of particular
interest to Las Vegas. since the alti-
tude. temperature and amount of pre-
cipitation there are almost exactly
equal to that of this city.
The treatment is for the most part
that employed at the Fort Bayard in
stitution. being for the most part a
matter of rest, Giet AMI properly regu-
lated exercise. going to aid the ac-
ton of the New Mexico sunshine.
Inc merchant marine fund by which
the s%anitarium is maintained has re-
Gently made appropriation for extern
siye improvements in the equipment
of the institution.
Or. CarringtOn's paper, covering, as
1t does. the results of q wears
of the careful observation of the ex-
pert in direct contact with the patient,
is of the greatest interest and impor-
lance.
The paper was read at the fifty-third
annual meeting of the American Med
ical association. DIR. Darlington says
in computing the value of his observa-
tions and statistics, the chronic Ia
ture of tuberculosis of the lungs and
the comparatively short duration of
treatment may be considered, the av-
erage length of fatal and discharged
cases having been something less than
six months. In 142 cases, or nearly
so per cent, the history of the disease
more prior to admission. A great diff
ficulty encountered is to keep patients
for a sufficient length of time to Sc
cure favorable results. Patients un-
accustomed to restraint except while
on board ships. soon tire of the rigid
regulations required. The use Of alco-
holic stimulants is forbidden except as
ordered incidentally for a small per-
centage of cases and this is consid-
cred a hardship n not long borne by
those who have been steady and hard
drinkers for many years. The prob
lem now to keep occupied men, accus 4
to the license of large
seaports, lake and river cit
ies. in an arid region, is
a serious one. Those who permit the
longing for city life to overcome them
are usually those with fair or good
chances of recovery. while the unfa-
vorable cases remain. Cards, check
ers and other games are provided to
be played out of doors as a rule, some
cultivate flowers. others have taken
o golf. There is a fair library, and
horseback riding is allowed a limited
of convalescent patients.
From November Is, 1899. To April
80. 1902, As patients have died, 8 dis
charged not improved. 81 discharged
improved. IL discharged apparently
recovered, and lis under treatment
81 cases, or a little over 10 per
.ent. there was history of tuberculo-
lis in either the father or mother of
ne patient. In 226 cases both lungs
affected. The tubercle bacillus
vas demonstrated in the sputum of
73 cases and in 1913 cases other or
were found. Pulmonary
Iemorrhage occurred in III cases. in
Z before. but not after admission. in
. after. but not before and in % cases
9th before and after. Eliminating
calculation those cases that were
treatment, less than one month.
he percentage are: Died. IS per cent;
improved. 53 per cent; apparently re-
overed. "a per cent The cases n
lltCl the lGDfit COustttou @aS RSshS
gave the greatest mortality. All
stients are required to expectorase
/ a pocket sputum flask or . hand
M bedside sputum cup They are
,rbidien o e~xpeesoratc anywhere
Sc and a violation of this rule In
olvcs expulsion from the institution
Ietal cups are disinfected by steam
ally. although burning 10 preferable.
nd the other cups are burned daily
N table ware IL treated by boiling
Iater after each meal and clothing
nd bedding used by the patients Is
by steam before going to
laundry. All rooms. wards. ETC.,
re disinfected monthly by sulphur
formaldehyd and washing
1ihk hichlorida. The essential ele-