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General Observations on the Results of Treatment.
The greatest factors making for success are patience on the
part of the sufferer and helpful optimism on the part of his medical
adviser. All who are unfortunately attacked sufficiently severely
to cause symptoms should reconcile themselves to the fact that for
the rest of their lives they will have to be circumspect, and that
errors of judgment or carelessness will be visited by a retribution
more severe than in the case of healthy people.
No Tuberculous person, able to work, should lead a life of
idleness, but the occupation must be governed by the medical needs.
The greater number of 'Tubercular persons are unable to compete
on equal footing with healthy persons. If this is remembered and
the principle of subsidization of these patients accepted, they can
be made productive units of industry, with benefit to themselves
and the community. Subsidization of Blind persons has been universally
approved, and it is difficult to understand the non-recognition
of the principle in another Class of handicapped persons.
Colonies for Tubercular patients, such as Papworth, or Preston
Hall, are sensible expositions of this and are carrying on wonderfully
effective work, which points the, way along which any
expansion of Anti-Tuberculosis campaigns should go. Sickness
benefit under the National Health Insurance Act could serve as
subsidy for tubercular persons and, in those medically certified as
fit to do work of some kind, should be given conditionally on the
patient endeavouring to do suitable work.
It is gradually becoming recognised that Sanatorium treatment
of Pulmonary Tuberculosis requires to be supplemented by other
methods of treatment. Eventually it will probably be necessary
to have a Surgeon who has specialised in thoracic surgery an a
Consultant on the staff of every sanatorium.