Open-air Treatment of Consumption.

Otago Witness, Issue 2412, 24 May 1900, Page 58

Open-air Treatment of Consumption.

The treatment of consumption by the openair method has naturally excited much attention, for the- results, in the main, are of a very encouraging character. Eminent physicians in this and other countries pronounce in favour ,-of the method, and there is nodoubt that it will ere long be generally: adopted where rhc conditions are favourable.' So far, the gratifying experience na= largely been, obtained on the Continent, but already it has been demonFlralecl that in this country the open-air treatment may be hopefully carried, on. . Here and there it is being tried, and. iiecdless to say, experiments will be walchorl with keen interest. One of the most recent, in .the North of England, is that ai Shotley Bridge^ in County "Durham. At the bo^ianing of this year, what is known as Belle Vue Sanatorium was opened, anc", though a private enterprise, it may afford a. good illustration of what is feasible elsewhere. A house, standing in its own grounds, in-.a, dUtrict favourably known as a health resort, has been fitted up and furnished on modern, sanatorium principles. Accommodation for 10 patients has besir provided, but, in case of need, this will be enlarged. # The treatment is on the lines which have been found ■ c o satisfactory at Nordrach, in the heart of the Black Forest, and the eondilons in some other important respects are similar. The patie.il is removed from all excitement, enjoy o perfect quiet and pure, air, and is constantly under the notice of the resident phy°icisn in order that every phase of the disease may be promptly dealt with. The kiosks, or ornaments! cabins, form an interesting feature. These are placed in the grounds whera the greatest amount of sunlight and shelter from the winds are ..procurable. They are raised from the ground, so that the air may freely circulate beneath the floor. The sides of the structure are formed of moveable panels, adjusted according to the degree of exposure. Provision is, of course, made for ventilation. In these kiosks the patients may sit or recline ; they may even occupy them, in suitable weather as sleeping apsrtments, bedsteads and the other necessary furniture beine; provided for the purpose. Placed near the house, they are in communication with it by means of electric belle. Thus, the patient, -v.hen it is desiiable, may spend the whole of his or her time in the open aiiv Tha Belle Vue Sanatorium having been so recently established, it is too soon to speak of cures, but it is confidently believed that the results will justify the enterprise. — Home paper.

A New Cure for Rheumatism. — Roasting as a cure for rheumatism, seems to be a heroic remedy to offer to a sufferer from that painful complaint. A well-known man of science of Chicago, however, pins his faith to a temperature of 400deg, or even more, and to it _ many cures have been recorded. In oi.e hospital it has been tried on 400 patients, in nil stages of suffering, with, it is said, good effeeis. The physician began the treatment through the illness oi his wife, who found herself better for the use of Turkish baths, but could not continue them on account of breathing the foul air. The result was the invention of a machine by which the patient breathes the pure air of the room whilst a tremendous heat is kept up over the body. It need hardly be said that the aithas to be quite dry, as the presence of water at such a temperature vwould cause burning.

— The engine of an express train consumes 12gal of water for each mile traversed.