CHEERFUL PATIENTS HAVE BEST CHANCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18466, 18 May 1928, Page 4

CHEERFUL PATIENTS HAVE BEST CHANCE.

CURE OF TUBERCULOSIS BEST TACKLED AT A GOOD SANATORIUM. (Contributed by the Department of Health.) Tuberculosis, in a large majority of cases, can be arrested or cured provided it is recognised early, but if it is not discovered until the disease is advanced the chance of curing it is greatly lessened. The commonest earliest symptom is possibly a slight cough, showing usually but not always on arising in the morning, and which does not disappear with the ordinary treatment. Every cough that lasts more than three weeks may be considered a suspicious symptom. Not infrequently, however, before there is any cough other symptoms may appear which should warn one of the possible danger of tuberculosis. One of the most suspicious of these is an unusual sense of fatigue or weariness coming on without any good reason. This may often be regarded by the patient’s family as due to “laziness” or “nervous prostration,” or it may be ascribed to some other unexplained condition. Persistent fatigue or weariness is a suspicious early symptom. Long continued hoarseness which is not relieved by the usual treatment is very suspicious. Steady and unaccountable loss of weight is another important symptom which should warn one of possible tuberculosis. A very early symptom is loss of appetite with indigestion. Frequently the disease begins with a slight spitting of blood, which may not be followed for a long time with any other suspicious symptoms. Unusual sweating at night may at times be the first indication of the disease, though this symptom is ordinarily preceded by others. Persistent pain in the chest,, especially in the region of the shoulder, should always be carefully investigated, as the first evidence of a tuberculous pleurisy often begins at the top of the lung.

“Never Give Up Hope.” Any, or all, of the symptoms described are suspicious, and should serve a warning to consult an experienced physician at once. As already emphasised, early and light cases of tuberculosis are usually curable. The earlier and milder they are the most easily and frequently are they cured. More advanced cases, with careful and prolonged treatment, yield a fair percentage of recoveries, and it is worth remembering that a certain number of very far advanced and apparently hopeless cases do at times recover. However bad the outlook, therefore, a sufferer should not give up hope, but start at once to make the best fight he can. In all cases his prospect of getting well depends largely upon v himself, upon the early recognition of the disease, and upon his grit and determination to carry out the necessary treatment. A brave and cheerful patient with an advanced case generally stands a better chance of recovery than a weak-willed and despondent one in the earlier stages of the disease. Tuberculosis of the lungs appears in several forms, most of them tending to become chronic. Of these the larger number are curable. A few cases are acute, rapid “galloping,” and these are usually hopeless from the start; while there are some intermediate cases which are very bad at first but which, with proper care and treatment, may finally be cured. Proper Treatment Vital. Of the mild and medium cases, discovered early and placed under good conditions of living and treatment in a sanatorium, the large majority can be cured or so far arrested as to allow of a return to suitable work, provided the necessary care of the future life of the patient can be secured and all harmful influences are avoided. Even in more severe and advanced cases, with extensive disease of the lung, a fair degree of health may often be regained and kept by a course of instruction and treatment in a sanatorium, followed by a careful life at home. Therefore no one need despair. To get well, however, does not mean the taking of much medicine. There is no medicine which of itself will cure tuberculosis. Nothing has done more harm in this disease than the habit of taking patent medicines which are falsely advertised to cure consumption. A doctor, if he finds it necessary, may prescribe some medicines for a sufferer to meet certain symptoms or conditions, and these will be helpful, but no drugs of any kind should be taken until they are prescribed by a doctor. As soon as the person is recognised to be suffering from tuberculosis by a doctor he .should make every effort possible to go to a At a sanatorium he will not only get the advantages of excellent climatic conditions, but what is even more important, constant medical supervision and careful instruction and training by specialists and nurses on how to conduct his future life when living at home. In previous articles under this series advice has been given as to precautions to be taken to prevent spread of tuberculosis in the home.