The principles of open-air treatment of phthisis and of sanatorium construction / by Arthur Ransome.

  • Arthur Ransome
Date:
1903
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Licence: In copyright

Credit: The principles of open-air treatment of phthisis and of sanatorium construction / by Arthur Ransome. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Leeds Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Leeds Library.

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    (d) The continuous warmth of the body during exposure to the open air is better kept up in the recumbent position than in any other. {c) It conduces to gain in body weight. During repose in a semi-recumbent posture digestion is more easily carried on, and absorption and assimilation are better performed. In most cases the patient puts on flesh with more or less rapidity. (d) It greatly assists the blood-making organs, and leads to an increase in the haemoglobin. One of the results of rest, combined with fresh air, is the speedy improvement in the complexion of our patient. 3. Graduated exercise.—Complete rest in bed has its dangers as well as its remedial power. It is acknowledged that in phthisis our aim must be to raise the bodily powers to the highest point we can con- sistently with safety. This is not possible in absolute rest; hence, as Dr. Walters remarks in his excellent work on Sanatoria (p. 38) : ' In all cases [in which it is safe, which he specifies] exercise is needful according to an ascending scale. We may begin with passive motion or very gentle massage, followed by resisted movements in the recumbent position. After this, very gentle walking exercise may be tried, at first restricted to a few yards at a time on level ground. As the invalid gets stronger the length of his walk is gradually increased.' In Essay I. (p. 27), I have ventured to point out that ' the degree of rest that must be imposed will depend (i) upon the presence or absence of fever, and (2) upon the digestive and assimilative powers. . The degree of exercise (i) upon the muscular and
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