Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-05-03
REST AND TUBERCULOSIS
By II. AddingtOn Bruce

TIME Importance of rest in the treat
ment of tuberculosis has long been
recognized. Sufferers from this dread
disease are strongly urged by their at
tending physicians to take plenty of rest,
particularly in the open air. To make
sure that they rest, they may be kept
in bed for weeks or months.
But, as a rule, they are given no spe-
Cific instructions as to resting other than
the order, "Stay abed." Certainly it has
not been customary to impress on them
the Importance of resting in bed in any
particular way, this being generally con-
sidered a matter of no Importance.
Now, however, in a joint statement ap
pearing in the Journal of the American
Medical Association, three Colorado Springs
physicians insist that it may be a matter
of such Importance as to affect markedly
the course of the disease and the patients
chances Of recovery.
These physicians G. B. Webb,
A NJ Forster and G. B. Gilbert-insist fur
Their that in order to get the full benefit
from rest the tuberculous patient should
always lie on the side having the greatest
lung infection. This, they claim, affords
extra rest for that lung, thus giving it
increased opportunity for healing.
PULMONARY tuberculosis" they point
out ''is likely to be unilateral (present
in one lung only) when first disco 5ered
and naturally these are the cases in which
the greatest benefit will be derived from
posturaI rest. Should both lungs be dis
eased, one is usually the more active, and
this should be rested"
And, in support of the claim that to lie
on the affected side does actually rest the
lung on that side.
"It is a simple matter to note, with the
stethoscope, the feebleness of the respiratory
murmur Of the recumbent lung, and the pos
sibly exaggerated breath sounds of the up
permost lung, when a normal person is ly-
ing one side.
"The movements of the chest and of the
diaphragm have been studied with the fluor-
oscope in persons lying on one side Brief
ly the ribs of the recumbent lung are close
together, and there is less motion of this
side than of the uppermost lung"
Unfortunately the tendency among the
tuberculous is to lie on the side least affect
ed, to do otherwise causing them Increased
discomfort. Gradually, however, they may be
trained to rest as prescribed by the Colorado
medical men. Then, unless the disease is al
ready we'll advanced, this result may be eX-
pected:
"Fever will subside, cough will cease, and
sputum of many ounces may decrease to
mere trace. Many patients have been
restored to health by this simple procedure.
''The failures encountered have been in
patients either too far advanced with bilater-
al disease, or in those considered favorable
for the application of this procedure, but
who failed to carry it out faithfully
Specifically, these advocates of the pos
tural rest treatment report EXCELLENT re-
suits in NOR than 200 cases." Their detail
ed account of number of these clearly in
dictates that this special method should be
given careful consideration by all medical
men having victims of tuberculosis in their
care.
Copyright, 1921, by The Associated News
DaDorS,O