The Washington herald., 1913-04-20
AIR, HABlTS.AND
FOOD WORK CURE
Rational Treatment of Tuber.
culosis Often Is Within
Reach of Sufferers.
EARLY START DESIRABLE
Recovery Rules Serve as the Most I'm.
portant Factors in Preventing
the Disease.
by GEORGE NJ. sTERNBERG.


The normal individual in good health
has a considerable degree of resistanc,
to tuberculosis infection. This immunity
differs TO some extent in different races
different families and different individ
uals of the same family. There Is alsC
a tendency to recovery from infection
in the earlier stages of the disease, il
circumstances relating to the habits anc
environment of the individual are favor
able. This is shown by the fact that pos
norton examinations show that many
persons dying from others diseases pre-
sent evidence of healed tuberculosis pro-
cesses in the lungs.
1t is we'll known that many recognized
cases of tuberculosis recover, but evil
dence obtained at autopsies shows also
that a considerable proportion OF the
population. who had not been suspected
of being infected with this widely -preva.
lent disease. have, in fact, at some time
during their life. had a localized lung
infection. To what extent healed tu-
berculosis infection protects the indi-
vidual from future infection has not been
definitely determined. Recovery from a
tuberculosis infection is also shown by
the large number of persons who recov-
er, wtth more or less deformity, from
tuberculosis of the spinal column, of the
hip and knee joints, &c. Now all OF
these recoveries have occurred. as rule,
without any specific medication.
Three Important Factors.
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 inquiry We shall find
that these conditions are identical with
those which have been found the most
important factors In the prevention OF
the disea Sc Those factors are the vari-
Gus conditions as to fresh air, wholesome
food, or good habits, which favor a ro-
bust state of health. Where there Is a
normal vital resisting power the sus-
ceptibility to tuberculosis infection is
slight. But when the vital resistance is
below par, for any reason, this suscep-
tibility is greatly increased.
The predisposing causes are to GER
tain extent inherited. That is some per-
sons are born with insufficient lung ca
pacity, feeble digestion, or nervous
system which easily gives way to strain.
Such persons are especially liable to suf-
fer from unfavorable conditions of en-
vironment and they furnish a consider
able proportion of the cases of tubercu-
losis. They should be guarded from in
fancy against the evil effects of over
crowding. insufficient Cd indigestible food.
over-work, or everyday, or pernicious
habits
A most important point in the treat
ment of tuberculosis is the early recogni-
ton of the fact that the tubercle bacillus
has effected Judgment in the lungs or
elsewhere. This is fundamental, for the
earlier the diagnosis is made the better
will be the prospect of complete recov-
cry. Unfortunately in a large proper
ton of the cases an early diagnosis is
not made. Many of the so-called 'in-
cipient' ca ses which are sent to sana-
forums are found by skilled physicians
to be in the second stage of the disease
The detection of early cases calls for
special skill in physical diagnosis. The
presence of tubercle bacilli in the sputum
confirms the diagnosis but much valuable
time will often be lost if We wait for
this confirmation. which shows that the
tubercles i'm the lungs are already
breaking down" When the diagnosis
is in doubt il will often be wise to give
the patient the benefit of the doubt and
OF the rational treatment which we rec
ommend. A young person who is losing
weight and easily tires. and has slight
elevation of tempers ture in the after
noon. either with without cough,
should be advised to lead the outdoor
life and to avoid everything which would
be likely to lower his vital resisting
power. For, if he is not already infect
cd. he is favorable subject for infec-
ton by the tubercle bacillus. The ambi-
tious student presenting such symptoms
of lowered vitality should have his
hours of study greatly restricted or COM
pletely interrupted until there is evidence
that he has recovered 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 in
lection.
Public Funds Desirable
1t is easy to give advice. but for those
who depend upon their own efforts 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 indoor occupation, under
the pressure of pecuniary need. will u.s.
ually postpone any decisive action CALL
ing for a sacrifice of income until, too
often. the time has passed when a cure
can be effected. Such individuals are
especially entitled to our sympathy and
should be aided by public funds or priv
ate philanthrophy to take the rational
treatment at an near-home sanatorium
After what has been said ii is hardly
necessary to add that the rational treat
ment of tuberculosis in its early stages
consists in spending as much time as
possible in the open air; in avoiding
those things which depress the vital ener-
gies-such as over-work. loss OF sleep.
and vicious habits; and in eating, at
proper intervals. such nourishing food as
will be easily digested and assimilated for
the repair of waste and maintenance of
bodily vigor. Milk and eggs should have
a prominent place in such dietary as
we have indicated. But il is a mistake
to suppose that those articles have
specific curative value. They should not
be taken In quantities sufficient to dis
turb the digestive system. A patient Is
not likely 70 make progress when the
digestive powers are over-taxed, as in
Dictated by loss of appetite, and Q coated
tongue. In early cases exercise, judic-
iously regulated, is an important part Of
the treatment. Even In more advanced
cases. in the absence OF fever. moderate
exercise is sometimes beneficial.
skilled Treatment Necessary.
In febrile cases IL IL generally recog-
nlzed that the rest In bed IL an essential
part Of the treatment so long as the tenn
perature remains one or two degrees
above the normal. But. when possible,
all OF these details OF treatment should
he under the direction of a competent
physician, preferably at ~ weli-located
sanatorium. The advantages OF treat
ment" In a saHatorium are illustrated by
of the patients home. are evident. The
favorable results of the rational treat
ment' b. a sanatorium are Illustrated by
the statistics of sanatorio located IN
different parts of the country. Thus At
Adirondncks Cottage eanatorium al Sara
nac lake &c hfty-seven incipient cases
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