The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-11-08
Hope Revived.


Many Of us can remember when the
dread courge Of our climate, consump-
lion. or tuberculosis, was considered In
durable. o zee stricken with 1t, all that
the most indulgent friends could do was
to administer comfort to the wasting
body OF the patient, and sweet consola-
ton to the soul, and then wait for the
coming of the grim messenger. But IN
der the revelations of science all this
has changed. Taken in its inciplency,
the disease is as durable as many others,
the out of doors treatment being found
by all odds the most successful. We
shall rejoice IL these lines will bring hope
to any living human being.
The grand principle aimed at is to
place the possibility of cure within the
reach of all. In keeping with such in
tenton the public is being educated in
the proper direction OF purely hygienic
treatment. Fresh air, sunlight, and
plain, nutritious food, are easily obtain
able even by the comparatively poor
man. The higher purpose should be to
make the man strong enough to throw
off the disease, no matter what its
source, whether from the newly found
bug theory, or from the bacillus. The
same rule should apply with equal force
to the susceptible pereon, however ex-
posed. In both instances the germ
would be as seed on the rock. IL has
come TO this, that the patient must get
fresh air, irrespective of the weather,
night and day. Names climate, in the
winter, is indeed severe, but that is not
a hindrance, provided the patient Is well
fed, leads an out door life, and keeps up
bis pluck.
At Hebron great success has been
achieved by the outdoor treatment,
many permanent cures being Effected.
From our personal knowledge we know
there have been cures at Brunswick and
Augusta where the course has been pur-
sued. No elaborate or expensive prepar-
alton Is necessary. Wherever there is
back veranda or balcony 10 the second
story of the house, sleeping arrange
ments could be made. Awning cloth, to
keep out the rain or snow, could be
tackled inside the railing, fastening it at
top and bottom. When the weather is
fac these curtains could be rolled up
and fastened, giving the sleeper all the
air there is. II the snow does drift 10 it
will do no damage. The bed should be
made warm and comfortable in every
respect. Have several wooden blankets
over the mattress. Ia very cold weather
1t ia impossible to be comfortable sleep.
ing between cotton sheets. 1t Ia not
necessary to have very heavy covering,
three or four lightweight wooden blan-
kets being sufficient. The night gown,
or psjamas, must be wooden, and over
that an eider-down robe with a large
hood which can be pulled down over the
forehead. Loose-knitted bed socks and
large hot water bottle complete the
arrangements for being as comfortable
as In a heated room. Following these
directions, which we have thus roughly
outlined, the patient will soon weigh
more, will have better appetite, better
color, more endurance, and greater en-
ergy, than ever before In his life, having
experienced all the healing Influences OF
outdoor life. Instead OF dreading to go
to bed, 1t will come to be the greatest
pleasure of bis life. He will sleep like
healthy child; and instead Of awsking
with languid feeling, more tired than
when he went to bed, he will feel rested,
cear-headed, and ready for the battle Of
lie, and then he will go forth to preach
the doctrine of good health to the army
Of sufferers who look for practical help.
II by these thoughts we shall help
single person in his struggle to rid him
self of this dreadful disease, we shall
feel well repaid.