Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1911-06-29

Eminent Specialists Show Value
of Exercise and Dangers
OF Fatigue.

OF Fatigue.
That no consumptive can hope for
a cure of his disease without follow
ing the most rigid routine with re-
gard to rest is the conclusion OF four
interesting articles in the, Journal OF
the Outdoor Life for June, by Pro-
fessor Frederic S. Lee of Columbia
University, New York; Drs. Lawra-
son Brown and F.. H. Heise of the
Adirondack Cottage Sanatorium. Tru-
deau, N. Y, DR.. Joseph H. Pratt OF
Boston, and Will NJ. Ross of Stevens
Point, Wis.
Professor Lee, writing on the sub
ject THE Physiology Of Exercise and
Rest" shows by experiments on dis
sected frogs the way in which exer-
else tires the muscles and, in fact,
all the organs of the body. He says:
There is no known antidote to
fatigue, unless it be rest, with all that
rest implies. Sleep allows the repair
alive process of rest to be performed
most quickly and completely. A
moderate degree OF fatigue, or even a
considerable degree when not too
often incurred, is not detrimental to
a healthy body and is even to be adj
vised. The healthy body is provided
with great recuperative powers, and
does not rapidly succumb to even ex-
cessive demands on its energy. 'But
it should he allowed the proper con-
dition for recuperation, and that con-
dition is adequate rest. There is
danger when the fatigue of one days
labor is not eliminated before the
next days work is begun. The
effects may then be cumulative, the
tissues may be in a continued state
of depression, and the end may be
disastrous.
Drs. Brown and Heise in an article
on Properly Regulated Rest and
Exercise in Pulmonary tuberculosis"
hold that the action of the poisonous
germs of the disease on the body is
very similar to that of over exercise.
The poisonous irritation caused by
the germs gives the organs and tissues
Of the body double load to carry
They emphasize the Importance of
rest in the treatment of tuberculosis,
but also insist that properly regulated
exercise is very necessary. They state
their conclusions thus:
Exercise when properly regulated
and sy Systematically graded is an i'm
portant factor in the treatment OF
pulmonary tuberculosis. Through it
the patient is in many cases returned
to home and family with lessened
chances of future relapse. At the
same time part of his earning capaci-
ty is restored and he is consequently
financially less dependent upon Others
relieving him of much worry, ex-
pense and hardship"
DR.. Pratt, who was founder of the
first Church tuberculosis Class in the
United States in the Emmanuel
Church in Boston, claims that in the
treatment of tuberculosis absolute
rest, often in bed, must be extended
over period Of months, before the
consumptive should take any exer-
else. He says, Prolonged rest in
bed out of doors yields better results
than any other method of treating
pulmonary tuberculosis. Patients
will have better appetite and take
more food without discomfort and
gain weight and strength faster than
patients with active disease who are
allowed to exercise. Complications
are much less frequent. When used
in the incipient stage recovery is more
rapid and surer.
Mr.. Ross, who is Himself cured
consumptive, and a writer of consid-
cradle prominence, holds that unless
resting becomes business to the
tuberculosis patient, he might as we'll
give up his fight for health. The
period of infection with tuberculosis,
he says, is not vacation. 1t is a
twenty four-hour-a-day job. True it
is a period of idleness, but one of in
telligent, directed idleness. The days
work should consist OF rest; rest
should be the only business on hand.
The light exercise, or hour of reading
should be considered az the reward of