Physicotherapy of tuberculosis.

  • Rivière, Joseph.
Date:
1913
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Physicotherapy of tuberculosis. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    cases, baths and static douches to combat nervousness, insomnia, and as sedative media for the general sensitive system, (’ontinuous currents against neuralgias and intercostal neuritis, dyspnoea and asthenia, hydro-electric baths as a regu- lator for the circulation, and as an anti- phlogistic, Rdntgen rays as bactericide and resolvent of lymphatic neo-forma- tions (bronchial adenopathy). Actinotherapy renders good service especially in the case of torpid and sclerosing forms of pulmonary bacillus- formation, at a time when the process demands excitation in the case of sub- jects who are rendered insufficiently erethistic by general anoBmia and neu- rasthenia. Actinotherapy, being a di- lator of the vessels, hyperaemie and sedative at one and the same time, a repairer of globular damage and re- storer of equilibrium to the nervous system, soothes oppression and tachy- cardia, regulates the temperature, encourages alimentation and digestion. Let us remember that tuberculosis is a disease of darkness, and that depriva- tion of light plays as great a part in its pathogeny as deprivation of air itself. The bacillus of Koch accomplishes its dire task in the shadows, and in an or- ganism which is intact, very often with hereditary taint. In this way the curative value of actinotherapy is ex- plained, as well as that of heliotherapy, which is its most natural form. The radiating energy is absorbed by the protoplasm, which derives from it a kind of dynamic and vitalising charge (M. de Laroquette). Physiological opin- ion is divided on the subject of a direct bactericidal power; but one thing is certain, and that is, by the stimulation imparted to the means of defence, the therapeutic radiation produces incon- testable bactericidal effects on the germs enclosed in the alveoli, which successfully resist all general and local treatment. Actinotherapy, therefore, is not to be despised, as we have shown by the phthisio therapeutist. Ozonised in- halations increase the field of respira- tion and prolong expiration, a fact which augments the capacity for pul- monary ventilation. It is, in fact, vital air domesticated; the air which, by its oxidising force and its power of pene- tration, is most capable of restoring to the pulmonary mucosa its physiological condition. Personally, I have succeeded in increasing the curative value of ozone by joining to it the volatile, anti- septic or balsamic principles of creosote, eucalyptol, iodoform or menthol. I thus obtain a veritable gaseous dressing which is both bactericidal and soothing, ozone being the medium. It is chiefly in catarrhal forms and in fetid bron- chitis which accompanies certain tuber- culoses that we must have recourse to this excellent method for modifying alveolar epithelism, and diminishing the virulence of purulent expectoration. This medicated atmiatry has the double advantage of conirolling the digestive passages and of possessing a direct detersive action. Mechanotherapy is also a powerful auxiliary. It is the only truly rational gymnastic method of expanding the thorax, fortifying and facilitating the heart’s action; facilitating visceral se- cretions and promoting active assimila- tion. Combined with hydrotherapy and carbonic acid gas baths, it increases resistance and tones up the condition of the thorax in an astonishing man- ner. Is it not the aim of all respiratory gymnastics to clear out the alveoli, to facilitate local muscular development.