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SPECIAL TREATMENTS.
For many years the treatment of tuberculosis consisted of rest, good
food and fresh air. Some 35 years ago an additional principle of treatment
was introduced, based on the theory of auto-inoculation. After an
initial period of rest patients were put on gradually increasing amounts
of exercise and work, the aim being for the patients progressively to
immunise themselves against the increasing amounts of poisons liberated
by the tuberculous lesion in the course of graduated exercise.
In the last 20 years, further advances have been made by the application
of surgical treatment of lung disease; and by this means to the
principle of rest to the body as a whole, is added the method of rest to
the diseased part. This process, collectively called collapse therapy, may
be attained in several different ways. The most widely used of these
operations is that known as Artificial Pneumothorax which consists of
introducing a cushion of air between the lung and the chest wall. This
operation has the merit of being simple and practically painless, but
the air has to be replaced at intervals owing to its gradual absorption.
Since the installation of the X-ray plant in the Dispensary it has been
possible to carry out these refills on the premises), thus saving the patient
the inconvenience of attending both the Dispensary for supervision and
a Hospital for refills.
During 1937, 801 refills have been given to 46 patients.
Treatment by the injection of Gold Salts in selected cases give good
results and usually reduces the amount and infectivity of the sputum.
Injections are given once each week.
88 injections of Gold have been given to 10 selected patients at the
Dispensary with most satisfactory and encouraging results.