The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-04-26
FORTUBERCULOSIS
Gen. George MI. Sternberg
Writes Regarding Tt.
Saws Rational Treatment Has
Done Much.
GOOD HABITS AND FRESH AIR
Milk and Eggs Should Have
Prominent Place i'm Diet.
Urges Patients to Reside in
SanatoriumS Near Home.

George NJ. Sternberg, president of the
Association for he Prevention of Tu-
berculosis. This immunity differs to
some extent in different races. differ
ent families and different individuals
of the same family. There is also a
tendency to recovery from infection,
an the earlier stages of the disease, if
circumstances relating to the habits
and environments of the individuals
are favorable.
This is shown by the fact that post
mortem examinations show that many
persons dying from other diseases pre-
sent evidence of healed tuberculosis
processes in the lungs. 1t is well known
that many recognized cases of tubercu-
losis recover, but evidence obtained at
autopSies shows also that cOnsid era Bile
proportion of the population, who had
not been suspected of being infected
with this widely prevalent disease.
have, in fact, a t some time during
their life, had a localized lung infection.
Recovery Without Medicine.
To what extent healed tuberculosis
infection protects the individual from
future infection has not been definite
1y determined Recovery from a tubeT-
culosis infection is also shown by the
large number of persons who recover,
with more or less deformity, from
tuberculosis of the spinal column, of
the hip and knee joints, etc.
Now, all those recoveries have oc-
CURED, a rule, without any specific
medication. Having determined that
tuberculosis may be cured without
medical treatment, let us inquire what
are the conditions most favorable for
such recovery. In pursuing this in
quiry We shall find that these cOndi- |
lions are identical with those which
have been found the most important
factors in the prevention of the disease. |
Good Habits Essential.
These factors are the various condi- |
lions as to fresl- air, wholesome food, |
or good habits, which favor a robust |
state of health. Where there is a nor |
NAL vital resisting power the suscepti- |
bility to tuberculosis infection is slight. |
But when the vital resistance is below |
par, for any reason. this susceptibility |
is greatly increased
The predisposing causes are to a GER |
tain extent inherited. That is, some |
persons are born with insufficient |
lung capacity, feeble digestion, or a. |
nervous system which easily gives way |
to strain. Such persons are especially |
liable to suffer from unfavorable con-
ditions of. environment and they fur
nish a considerable proportion of the
cases of tuberculosis.
They should be guarded from infancy
against the evil effects of overcrowding,
insufficient indigestible food. over
work or everyday or pernicious habits.
Early Diagnosis Desirable.
A most important point in the treat
ment of tuberculosis is the early recog-
milton of the fact that the tubercle
bacillus has effected a Judgment in the
lungs or elsewhere. This is funda-
mental, for the earlier the diagnosis is
made the better will be the prospect
of complete recovery.
Unfortunately, in a large proper
ton of the cases an early diagnosis is
not made. Many of the So-called in
cipient' cases which are sent to Sana-
forums are found by skilled physi-
clans to be in the second stage of the
disease. The detection of early cases
calls for special skill in physical dag
noSis. The presence of tubercle bac
illi in the sputum confirms the diagno-
sis but much valuable time Will often
be lost if wait for this confirma-
ton, which shows that the tubercles
in the lungs are already breaking
down" When the diagnosis is in
doubt it will often be wise to give the
patient the benefit of the doubt and
of the rational treatment, which we
recommend.
and easily tires, and has a slight ele-
walton of temperature in the after
noon. either with or without cough, ]
should be advised to lead the outdoor
life and to avoid everything which
would be likely to lower his vital re-
sisting power. For if he is not already
infection by the tubercle bacillus.
Outdoor Life a Remedy.
The ambitious student presenting
such symptoms of lowered vitality
should have his hours of study greatly
restricted or completely interrupted !
until there is evidence that he has re-
covered his normal vigor. The young
girl who is devoted to the pleasures of
society should heed the first warnings
of failing strength if she would escape
the dangers of tuberculosis infection. |
1t is easy to give advice, but for .
those who depend upon their own eff
forts for their daily bread or for the
support of others who are dependent
upon them the advice we give is hard |
to follow. The clerk, the factory {
worker, and others who follow an in
door occupation under the pressure of
pecuniary need will usually postpone ,
any decisive action calling for sacri- !
flee of income until, too often, the i
time has passed when a cure can be /
effected. Such individuals are espec- /
tally entitled to our sympathy and t
should be aided by public funds or
private philanthropy to take the :
rational treatment at a near-home
sanatorium. +
Digestion Must Be Normal G
After what has been said it is hard {
ly necessary to add that the rational t
treatment of tuberculosis in it's early I
stages consists in spending as much g
time as possible in the open air: in $
avoiding those things which depress
the vital energies, such as overwork, 2
loss of sleep, and vicious habits, and /
in eating at proper intervals such !
nourishing food as will be easily di- :
gested and asSimilated for the repair /,
of waste and maintenance of bodily :
vigor. Milk and eggs should have a )
prominent place in such a dietary as
we have indicated.
But 1t is mistake to suppose thai
these articles have specific curative l
value They should not be taken in I
quantities sufficient to disturb the di- r
gestive system. A patient is not likely '
tc make progress when the digestive Q
powers are overtaxed, as indicated by / i