Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1908-02-26

That fresh air is the best kind Of
medicine for almost every kind Of
disease which in any way affects the
respiratory organs is coming more
and more to be realized. Years ago
persons suffering from bronchitis,
pneumonia and kindred ailments were
guarded with the most Jealous care
lest the least Whit of fresh, cool air
should strike them or even enter the
room where the patient was confined.
And to the common mind even to-day
pneumonia is associated with warm
rooms protected from every draught,
with efforts to keep the temperature
equable. But such methods no longer
receive the Endorsement of the pro-
fessiOnal men whose business it is to
keep pace with the latest develop
ments of medical and surgical science.
It is no longer the close room where
the pneumonia patient is kept shell
tered but in the apartment where the
greatest amount of fresh air can be
secured. Perhaps the Presbyterian
hospital of New York has taken the
most advanced steps in respect to
this open air treatment for pneumo-
MIA, and visit to their roof ward
would come as shock and a revela-
ton to many who still hold to the old
method of treatment.
There on that high, exposed place,
with only canvas awnings to shelter
from snow or rain are to be seen a
score or more Of patients on iron bed
steads, their pallid faces upturned to
the winter sky, their breath frosted by
the keen wind, and the failing light of
the bleak winter day giving an aspect
of utter dreariness to the wind-swept
space.
'These," said the doctor in attend
ance, with a comprehensive sweep of
arm over the still, white faces, ARE
our pneumonia patients. We have now
about IS in all. Here is where we
bring them to combat the disease. See
this one-high fever, delirious when
brought in, now resting comparative
ly easy-asleep, as you may see. This
other, a child four years old-here,
put your arms under the cover-there,
now, keep still and go to sleep. Afraid
of the dark? It won't hurt you. Go
to sleep now. You'll wake up feeling
all right"
Yet here were pneumonia patients,
many OF tender years, exposed to
every winter blast that blew; no roof
overhead, only an awning that could
be slid over rods in case of rain or
sleet or snow. It seemed barbaric
The doctor said that it was only revo-
lutionary.
Here is DR.. William P. Northrup of
the visiting staff of the Presbyterian
hospital, and it was due to his strong
faith in this radical idea, and to his
insistence in the virtues of the open
air treatment for all suffering from
pneumonia and acute infectious dis
eases, such as typhoid, scarlet fever,
diphtheria, etc., that this open-air
ward was established on the roof of
the hospital.
I'm one sense it is an experiment"
DR.. Northrup said, "and in another it
is not. I have employed the treatment
in private practice and have been
more than satisfied with the result.
1t is an experiment only in the sense
that this is the first time it is being
tried out in a hospital and on a large
scale. 1t was only at the beginning
of this winter that the ward was made
ready for the reception of pneumonia
patients. That is the only type of
disease that we are treating in it now.
"The result has been satisfactory.
It has been conclusively shown that
no harm has followed the sending of
the patients directly into the open
air, and conspicuous benefits have
been noted. The patients are less
nervous, their sleep is better, and this
conserves their strength; they are
able to take more nourishment, and