The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-10-07
HOME TREATMENT
OF TUBERCULOSIS

Fresh, clean air is the best anti
dote for pulmonary tuberculosis in
every step of its development.
1t isn't cure for the advanced
stages one claims that-lbut in
the earlier approach of the disease
it may ward off and effect a practi-
cal cure.
lit has been said by high authority
that one person in every seven is af-
fected by this disease at some time
in his life, that the scars would be-
revealed by post mortem examina-
ton. In large number of such cas-
es the vitality of the individual and,
the proper care are sufficient to
counterfeit the advance of the disease
beyond the beginnings.
1t is an established fact that fresh
air, uncontaminated by the poisons
that float about US everywhere in the.
environment that we call our highest.
fertilization. is the best preventive of
diseases in general The oxygen of
the air works destruction to many
varieties of disease germs, and par
ticularly is this true of tuberculosis.
The fresh air treatment has many
advantages. 1T is eap-cheaper
than drugs-it is within the reach of
all, and 1t becomes merely a matters
of recognizing the fact and applying.
it. Every obstruction that prevents
the free circulation of the out-of-door
air in our living, whether we are
awake or asleep, lessons the active
efficiency of the cure. This fact has
been recognized by medical science
to the extent that large sums Of
money. appropriated for the erection
of great sanitariums for the treat
ment of the disease. remain unex-
pended in more than one northern
state.
In the great federal prison in At
lanta, all tubercular patients are
separated from their fellow prisoners
and are made to live in the open air,
in tents. under guard within the
walls that surround the institution.
The results have been a splendid
demonstration of the value of the
treatment.
There are hundreds and thousands
of persons in humble circumstances
who fear even the incipient case Of
tuberculosis as the forerunner OF
certain death. To some extent, even
a large extent. this fear is unneces-
sary, for with the easy availability OF
fresh air, there is the possibility,
even, in some cases, the probability
of cure.
Two things are essential-one is
to secure, so far as possible, the well
fare Of the patient; the other. to
protect those who are about him.
Tuberculosis is very rarely COM
municated in open air, and there only
by dry sputum. This makes associa-
ton with patients by those who att
tend him, safer out of doors than
within solid walls.
Few families or persons are SO
poor that they cannot provide a tent
| or other protection in the yard sur
rounding the home or in some easy
accessible place. The essential is
that t he air shall have free circu1a-
ton. and protection is needed against
rain or the hot sun. In the tent,
which should be foored and furnish
ed comfortably, but not deliberately
the patient should sleep and live
Here his meals should be eaten and
not with the family. The linen OF
his bed and his clothing should be
washed separately from that of the
family, and every precaution should
be taken for the protection Of Others.
In this way the tubercular patient
may have the benefits of home cook
ing, of home care; his mind may be
occupied with home interests, and the
mental occupation and diversion
from his own troubles are no small
part of the cure And better yet. his
separation from other tubercular
patinets is important, for such asso-
citation, as in sanitarium is detri-
mental influence.
The home treatment of tubercu-
losis, the constant saturation in
fresh air, are within the resources
of the humblest, or they may be OBJ
tanned almost everywhere with out
side assistance. A recognition oil
the value of these methods, which
: are particularly favored by the eli
matte conditions of Florida, would
2 work wonderful reduction of the
statistical figures regarding tubercu
t 1osis.
RI