Fair play., 1921-09-03
Medical Director Tells How Car
dlac C0nvaIescents Thrive
on Exercise.
MENTAL EFFECT IS GOOD, TOO
Treatment In Force Two Years With
Uniformly Beneficial ResuIts-Most
Joyous Of Play Exereises-Phy.
sieally and Socially StimuIant.


New YOrk.-Dancing as part of the
regular treatment Of those cOnvalesc-
ing from heart disease was prescribed
two years ago by DR.. Frederic Brush,
medical director of the Burke Founda-
ton, the great institution for the care
White Plains, to which many patients
from New York city hospitals and
other institutions are sent. The re-
suits of this treatment as shown by
its effect upon thousands of patients
has been amazing, and doubtless will
elicit n gasp Of astonishment from the
unlnitlated layman as well as from
the physician Of the older school.
Doctor Brush says, however, that
there have not been any bad results,
but on the contrary the exercise has
been Of great benefit. Modern dancing
(ball, contra and folk types) Is a val
liable form Of physical exercise In
the ctlve-convalescent stages
of heart disease, he declares. 1t af-
fOrds a high degree of needed mental
therapy, and advances the patient
notably toward social restoration. Ex-
perience indicates its safety. 1t gives
an added and readily available test Of
the cardiac reserves and of progress.
The physician tells about his expert
ence with dapcing as therapeutic
agent In Hospital Social Service.
Applied exercises in the GONZALES
cent, constructive and preventive
stages of heart disease have three
main purposes, says Doctor Brush. To
Improve the general condition (nutri-
tional, muscular and organize, in
crease the cardiac reserve power and
lessen the retrospective and neurotic
tendencies. Gradual re-entry into near
normal occupational and social living
Is the end sought.
! 1t Is Of assured advantage, says
the physician, to have the exercises
pleasurably anticipated and enjoyed 4;
them simulate or merge into every
day physical and social activities.
Formal Gymnastics.
Formal gymnastics aid by inspiring
courage and further exercise, in get
ting hold Of the mild Stacker or neu-
rasthenic, and serve well In bad
weather times; but In six years. OBJ
servatlon Of some 5000 heart conva-
lescents, says Doctor Brush, no regime
has given such all-round satisfaction,
safety and success as did the old farm
regime where total Of nearly 500
cardiacs, boys and young men, were
given essential freedom In play and
work over the place (under reason
able regulations Of rest. etc.).
Dancing may be called an inherent
activity--of all girls, Of women up to
fifty, and Of most young and middle
aged men, says the physician; older
persons are persistently happy in
watching 1t: 1t is the most joyous of
all play-exercises, and both physically
and socially stimulant.
Convalescents with but a moderate
degree of cardiac reserve may begin
cautiously to dance, then go on to a
considerable indulgence, with safety
and benefit, he asserts. The heart
patients early led the way In this
Women were found to be dancing in
their cottages and boys exhibited varl-
GUS zig stunts" etc.
The practice was checked then
carefully observed. encouraged and
organized; and soon two or three for
NAL dances per week were given, open
10 patients Of all diagnoses and ages.