Methods of Treatment.

Otago Witness, Issue 3061, 13 November 1912, Page 4

Methods of Treatment.

A GENERAL SURAjaY. Until recently consumption was looked upon as unavoidable and incurable. Prince or pauper, it was all the same. Whoever was attacked was doomed. This feature of the disease wa» of untold value to our sentimental novelists and poets. The “ hectic flush ” on the cheek and the “ unnatural brightness ” of the eyes aroused the sympathy of the impressionable reader. Nowadays hectic flushes are mostly relegated to the public libraries, and an air of practical optimism has replaced that of maudlin sentimentality in our attitude to the sufferer from tuberculosis, for we have come to regard their disease as both preventable and, in its earlier stages, curable. TUBERCULOSIS PREVENTABLE AND CURABLE. It is preventable because we know, and can destroy, its cause; curable, because there are all around us so many who have been cured, sufferers who either by accident or design have adopted and carried out the habits of living which form the basis of sanatorium treatment. In .all ages there have been some sufferers who have recovered, and we know that here and there some man wiser than the rest has had a glimpse of the truth, and has guessed the manner of their recovery. Hippocrates, “ the father of medicine,” who lived 25 centuries ago, believed tuberculosis to bo curable if treated at a sufficiently early stage. lint the patients wbo recovered were forgotten, and those who died were considered to be following the natural course of the disease. THE SANATORIUM. It was not until sanatoria had been opened and the patients could be seen recovering under systematic treatment, that the average man realised that death was not the inevitable ending of tuberculosis, and in spite of many failures it is the object-lesson of the sanatorium which has led to our present hopeful outlook upon the disease. At the first sanatoria had a hard time of it. It was so contrary to popular prejudice to expose wasted and feverish patients to the- cold air. The first sanatorium, opened in England 70 years ago, met with such opposition that it was closed and converted into an asylum for the insane! Nearly 60 years passed before another consumptive sanatorium was opened in Great Britain. In other countries the work was carried on. Under the beneficent influence of fresh air, rest, and suitable food patients began to improve.'

The thin, pale, tired, consumptive became plump and ruddy and fuli of vigour. He felt well, and thought that he was cured, and so did the doctor. Later on came a bitter disappointment. While a few remained well, many broke down again, and and became just as ill ae before as soon as they tried to start work again.

Attention was now turned to exercise as well as rest, so that the patient might be made lit to work without risk to himself after leaving the sanatorium. To everyone’s surprise it was found that work, if given in appropriate doses, not only did, no harm, but was beneficial to the patient in a most marked degree. The writer of another article in this paper tells how in one sanatorium (Primioy) a scheme of work has been carried out in a most complete manner, and with great success. Sanatoria all over the world are adopting the improved methods, and adapting them to local requirements. Already improved results are shown, and it is hoped that in a few years the distressingly large number of relapses after sanatorium treatment will be reduced to a minimum. It will be obvious to all that if it is so difficult to bring about a permanent cure, even in cases under constant supervision, the patient who is left to take cine of himself without proper instruction lias but a poor chance of recovery.

SANATORIA IN NEW ZEALAND. At then; are four sanatoria in - sc "’ Zealand, all steadily improving their methods of treatment, and making use of any form of treatment such as'' that by tuberculin, which is of value as a supplement to the hygienic life of the sanatorium.

At present efforts are being made to improve the system of securing patients so that consumptives may come under treatment in the early and curable stages of the disease. THE PATIENT Die sanatorium is a cheerful place; all a *’ e hiisy trying to get well, and even though a few do grumble—just to pass the time,- most of the patients enjoy their stay in tlm institution, .and help willimdv to make things run smoothly. It is when the patient leaves the sanatorium that serious difficulties begin.

i THE EX-PATIENT. ! If he continues like a sensible man to i carry out sanatorium methods of living he marks himself off from his fellows. Evcry- ■ one knows that ho must have been a tuberculous patient, and some shun him 1 accordingly/ There is no reason for this;

and only those who are ignorant of the character of the disease take such action. The ex-patient, however, is tempted to depart from Ids principles and do the same as other folk in order to avoid attracting attention. In this way he often brings about a serious relapse, and becomes areal danger to others. Very often he has difficulty in obtaining employment. Nobody wants him. If public opinion were more enlightened on this matter there are many employers who could give suitable work to the ex-patient for the first year or two after his departure from the sanatorium. In this way his cure would be made permanent, and one more would be added to (he list of the wealth-producers of the country.