Deming graphic., 1920-09-14

was uoine MS second "hitch' at this
post chasing the cure" lie is now re-
tired and living nearby, believelng tina {
this climate will heal his lesion or at
least keep II In check so that he may
live and enjoy life. He always started
his talk by saying that Tuberculosis
Is an infectious, insiduous disease that
has to be watched" 1t always struck
me as an excellent definition for Tu-
berculosis is certainly the most treacn-
erous and the most insidious disease
with which we have TO deal. None OF
MS know whore we got II nor when we
got II and the text books change their
theories nearly every year. The latest
theory is that practically all of us had
II when we were young children and
some established an immunity and
some did not and broke down In adult
life More than likely that theory will
be changed by this time next year and
a newer and better one established.
The part that we are interested in is
that we have it and now how to ger
rid of IT, My experience is that we
never get rid OF 1t unless we have had
II very small lesion and have establish
ed fibrosis in small spot Of lung
tissue and have plenty Of lung capacity
left but we can establish quiescense
and again enjoy life by taking care Of
ourselves. a patient who has had
has to he watched the rest Of his life.
and the old saying "once n bug, always
bug is very applicable. | hope it
will be understood that | am speaking
entirely of the Pulmonary form Of Tu-
berculosis Since coming to Fort Bay
ard over II year ago, | have seen so
many that went out apparently cured
or at least arrested and came back fill
ed with activity and going through the
same treatment again, in great many
cases giving up the fight and in n short
time the Chaplains services were need
ed. | have seen so many men here
that looked the picture Of health and
said they felt aS good as they ever did,
decide they would take trip to anoth-
or climate and perhaps settle down and
then in short while come back look
ing "all shot TO pieces" and start In all
over again. There are many different
theories on the effect Of climate on the
disease and though the Profession may
contend that the same treatment In any
climate will give the same benefit, they
will never convince the laity of that
fact and my personal experience is
that this climate is the very best that
can be had. have talked with pa
tients from everywhere and invariably
they tell me that Fort Bayard has
them all skinned on the bug" As a
Colonel Of the Regular Army here told
"A visiting Inspector, tiled walls never
cured the Bug"
Chasing the Bug successfully re-
quircs training A patient has to learn
to relax every muscle In his body and
his mind as well Contentment is the
greatest factor In the treatment and
the ones that come here with their
minds fully made up that it is part
of their lifc's duties TO fight this thing
and settle down and follow the Sur
gcon's advice are the ones that come
out In a year or two years looking as
If they had never been sick This Post
Is isolated and there is very little to
amusc and it was picked out by wiser
heads than ours for that very reason.
man that X Chasing the Bug has
no time for friyolitics. lie has his
hands full. If patient is dissatisfied
with the surroundings and undertakes
tn treat himself in his own way he
may as well leave at once for he Is
wasting his own time and the Govern
mcnts time also and there are many
sufferers who would be only too glad
To get his opportunity at this place.
The Government is doing IA great work
along this line and everyone should ap-
prcciatc IT, Remember there are no
other employers that would give You
the same opportunity and pay you
wages besides while trying to regain
vour health lost in their service. The