THE DEATH RATE AT THE HOSPITAL AND TYPHOID.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9020, 5 April 1888, Page 3

THE DEATH RATE AT THE HOSPITAL AND TYPHOID.

i TO THE EDITOR. Sir,— Bell takes exception to the death rate quoted in my communication for typhoid ewes ft the Auckland Hospital last year. Although these figures were given to me by a high authority in such matters, I find., upon closer investigation, that the Resident Physician is justified in his correction of my estimate for that particular year, the exact numbers (since 1884) being as follows i— 1884-85, 20 per cent. . -"'' 1885-80, 40 per cent, (cold water treatment), 1886-87,17 per cent. 1887-88,11 per cent, (to present time). ' ■;" - . Of the first twelve cases admitted in 1885, eight died, and Dr. Bell's statement " That the number of deaths when the hydropathic treatment was used was above the average," is confirmed by the nurses then in attendance, who recollect the time when one out of every two patients admitted invariably succumbed to the disease. The alteration of a date still leaves the gist of my assertion unquestioned, while it is further confirmed by the additional testimony of the house physician. Efforts might be mad© to attribute the extra mortality at that particular time to other and not remedial causes, yet case after case occurs in the experience Qf medical men at the present time where the application of cold packs has been followed by an in. crease of temperature, or, what is more frequent, by prostration. The hydropathic treatment of typhoid, so far from being new, has been known and practised for many years past in Germany, where Niemeyer and Ziemsen were its earliest advocates. That grave dangers may follow its indiscriminate use is recognised; for, although it is true that, by the application of cold packs, we reduce the temperature of 'the body, yet it is no . less true .; that we increase the production ;of heat at the same time. Such a metamorphosis is • invariably followed by more or less exhaustion, and if there be chest complication a fatal result might ensue. In short, the hydrotherapeutic system, like allopathy, homeopathy, electrolysis, and mast sage, have a substratum of truth underlying their accredited action in health and disease. To assert, however, that any one system of treatment is a specific form for typhoid, or is adapted to relieve all the ailments of our race, is 'making a statement at variance with truth, and reveals an intelligence either remarkable for , it* absence or else dulled by the surroundings of an unhealthy atmosphere of' prejudice and ignorance. The , skilful physician adopts all systems in turn as the idiosyncrasiett of the ► patient may indicate. Typhoid is a specific disease, ' having a fixed course of symptoms tmore or less modified in different constitutions) and sequoias. \ Nature- will unaided cure the majority of cases. To guide her (whilst being prepared for emergencies) is ; the object of modern' medic* 1 science. am, Ac, St. Legkj ■•'; ■•'■■■ ''■■•■;'■ : "■•.•.' "' ; -.'' ; . ; .:'■'>"■■■ :; '";: ! '-" v i ,: v,; : i<-4: