Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1905-10-13
The Supreme Need OF the tuberculosis
Patient.

In the Journal OF the American
Medical Association DIR. Norman
Bridge calls attention to the fact tina
the tuberculosis mortality has been re
duced In the last thirty years from
I.l4.25 TO 10 per cent OF all deaths
These results are not accidental, but
ere clearly due 10 the Increased knowl
edge OF the best methods OF treating
this disease. In order TO point out
the best course he calls attention in
the following words to some common
errors still prevailing:
Men grow fixed in their IDEAS they
come TO regard their notions as i'm
mutable and so are slow to discover
and TO change. II is somehow easier
for us to think that quinine or cod
liver oil, creosote or a change OF eli
mate some inhalation OF drugs or
so-called antitoxin, Is good for tuber-
culosis, than II Is TO understand that
the great first purpose Of all treat
ment Is to Increase the physiologic
power of the patient to resist the dis
ease and to destroy or circumscribe
Its cause within his own body.
THE sober fact confronts us that
the one supreme need is for more pow
er In the afflicted body to restrict or
destroy the tuberculosis process. For
our present guidance this truth is so
vital that 1t takes rank with confes-
sion OF faith in religion.
I'VE have given our patients some
drug, and have neglected the half doz-
en- measures whose tendency Is to In
crease the power OF the patient. Thus
we have often thrown away the great
resources of rest fresh air. outdoor
life, changes in surroundings, and a
systematic effort OF increase the nutri-
tive forces the body.
There Is no objection to the tonic
always provided they are
understood to be minor and subsidiary |
things, never Of great value. and to be
used only as aids to the general meas.
ures referred to.
ITO give drugs. while the patient is
allowed to go in an unhygienic course
Of life without advice or correction, is
an error awful in its results.
Every one of these patients should
De constantly supplied with outdoor
atmosphere In such abundance that
Every successive inspiration brings a
fresh dose of air to the lungs, and
hone from previous expiration. Every
,ne should have long hours of rest
I feyerish, the rest recumbent should
30 almost or quite constant, for exer-
Use increases the fever The digest
We powers should be made to do their
'est, under the most careful superyis-
on, toward improving the nutrition
nd possibly also the resisting power
I the patient.
Patients have been allowed to stay
INDOORS without proper ventilation,
nd breathe a poisoned house-air
of the time. We have {
INSCRIBED to the popular untruth-as ,
itlful as 1t is groundless-tha pa I
ents In gentle current of air called /
draught are In danger of colds and G
Their harm, and so we have kept them b
over and over again their n
air The truth Is! one &
ever takes cold in any draught, even v
wind. IL his body and head are kept g
arm by clothing. The advice OF the Ii
ought to be to keep In
'anght. never out of It; only 1t would u
ssen the business of the physicians 9,
lille II would be OF lncalculable ben :,
Il to the people. n
"A consumptive's body should al II
iys be well and equally clothed. and IL
ould never be hampered or restrict a,
by garments. Snug corsets and ri
Intentional gowns are an absurdity ca
: the tuberculosis woman; worn as cs
ey are by most such women. they o,
,quently tip the scales In favor of 81
ath rather than recovery" on