The Dolores star., 1905-10-06
The Supreme Need Of the tuberculosis
Patient

Bridge calls attention to the fact that
the tuberculosis mortality has been re-
duced in the last thirty years from
i4-25 to 10 per cent of all deaths.
These results are not accidental, but
are clearly due to 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 inn
mutable, and SO are slow to discover
and to change 1t 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 anti-toxin, is good for tuber-
culosis, than it is to understand that
the great first purpose oe 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 .n 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
medicines, always provided they are
understood to be minor and subsidiary
things. never of great value. and 10 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
be constantly supplied with outdoor
atmosphere in such abundance that
every successive inspiration brings a
fresh dose of air to the lungs, and
none from previous expiration. Every
one should have long hours of rest
II feyerish, the rest recumbent should
be almost or quite constant, for exer-
else increases the fever. The digest
i've powers should be made to do their
best. under the most careful snpervis-
ion, toward improving the nutrition
and possibly also the resisting power
Of the patient.
Patients have been allowed to stay
indoors without proper ventilation.
and breathe poisoned house-air
three-quarters of the time. We have
subscribed to the popular untruth-as
pitiful as 1t is groundless-that pa
tients in gentle current of air called
a draught are in danger of colds and
other harm, and SO we have kept them
breathing over and over again their
contaminated air. The truth is. one
never takes cold in any draught, even
wind. II his body and head are kept
warm by clothing. The advice OF the
profession ought to be to keep in a
draught, never out of it; only 1t would
lessen the business of the physicians
while it would be Of incalculable ben
eft to the people.
"A consumptive's body should AL
ways be well and equally clothed, and
should never be hampered or restrict
ed by garments. Snug corsets and
conventional gowns are an absurdity
for the tuberculosis woman; worn as
they are by most such women, they
frequently tip the scales in favor of
death rather than recovery"
No. Specific Medicine for tuberculosis.
The Committee on the Prevention
of tuberculosis of the Charity Or
ganization Society of New York, in
its annual report recently issued pub
lished the following resolution:
Whereas, There is no specific
medicine for this disease (consump-
tion) known, and the so-called cure,
and specifics, and special methods of
treatment widely advertised in the
daily papers are, in the opinion of
the committee, without special value,
and do not at all justify the extraya-
giant claims made for them, and serve
chleny 10 enrlch the promoters at the
expense of the poor and often ignor-
ant or credulous consumptives; there
fore,
Resolved, That public announce
ment be made that it is the unani-
nous opinion of the members of this
committee that there exists no spe-
cific medicine for the treatment of pull
monary tuberculosis. and that no cure
can be expected from any kind of
medicine or method except the regu-
larly accepted treatment, which relies
mainly upon pure air and nourishing
food"
DR.. s. A. Knopf states very emphat-
ically that consumption is cured "sim-
ply and solely by the judicious use OF
Gods fresh. pure air. sunshine, plen-