View report page

The results of treatment compared with last year are very
similar. It is, however, satisfactory to find that thirty sputum
positive cases Grade I. were discharged during the year, as
against fourteen in the previous year, and in this class the disease
was quiescent in two-thirds of the cases. The remaining; one
third being improved. The number quiescent would have been
still greater only a number left before completing the term of
treatment recommended.
In Grade II., as usual, a large percentage were discharged
improved, while only a meagre number were quiescent.
In Grade III. the results were unsatisfactory, as they
always have been, and are likely to remain so.
The results again show how all important it is to get cases
under treatment in the early stage, and how hopeless it is to do
anything more than prolong life in the later stages of this disease.
While it has been gratifying to have an increased number of
earlier cases discharged during the year, the percentage is still
far from satisfactory. In going into the history of cases admitted
one finds that the patients, or relatives of patients, are largely toblame.
One constantly finds that a patient has only consulted
a doctor a few weeks before admission, although the
disease is quite advanced. This is a problem extremely difficult
to cope with if patients will not avail themselves of the facilities
afforded them when in indifferent health, there appears to be little
solution.
The duration of stay during the past year was again high,
as in the previous year. The heavy rainfalls during these periods
appear to be the main cause.
The following table shows the comparison of rainfalls for the
past two years in inches :—
Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.
1927 1.23 3.01 2.04 1.71 0.96 2.16 2.96 3.53 3.81 1.08 2.16 :3.00
1928 2.53 1.18 1.65 1.27 2.36 2.05 1.75 2.46 0.56 3.11 1.68 2.57
Light Treatment.
Artificial Light Treatment has been used during the winter
months in suitable cases. The results have quite justified the installation.
While the treatment does not appear to have any
direct effect on the course of the disease, there is no doubt that
it has a definite effect on the general condition of the patient in
many cases. Thev feel better and brighter, while sleep and appetite
improve, and in many cases the gain in weight is marked.
Altogether it is a useful adjuvant in Sanatorium treatment.
100