Valere aude (dare to be healthy) : $b or, The light of physical regenerationDechmann, Louis
Science
Valere aude (dare to be healthy) : $b or, The light of physical regeneration
Dechmann, Louis
Diet therapy; Health
Loss of hair is a frequent occurrence during convalescence, owing to the
ill-nourished condition of the skin; this, however, is but a temporary
feature soon succeeded by renewed growth.
_The prognosis_ or forecast of typhus is not altogether bad,
notwithstanding the gravity of its symptoms and the dangers of its
course.
Statistics show that the mortality from typhus does not exceed 7% but
each complication makes the result more uncertain and the outlook less
hopeful. In the event of perforation of the intestines and severe
internal hemorrhage supervening, the chances of saving life are slender.
_D. Treatment._
The treatment of typhus requires, in the first place, a correct judgment
of the physical condition of the patient in determining the fever
treatment to be applied. Success in severe cases of typhus will only be
secured by those who understand the correct methods of treating the
skin. Robust patients, with reserve energy and resisting power, may
receive the unrelaxing application of repeated whole packs or cool full
baths. There is, however, a species of endurance, which may prove unable
to endure the sustained and active force of these applications. In such
cases milder applications and more frequent changes are recommended.
Packs, interchanged with baths, clysters or enemas which subdue fever,
alternated with ablutions, and similar methods.
Extremely stout and nervous patients must be treated with the greatest
caution.
As typhus cases gradually develop, care must be exercised to prevent too
violent treatment in case of serious complications. In fact the
physician must not be guided by fixed rules, but must be able to
individualize with prompt discretion.
During the severest stage the diet must be absolutely a fever diet,
prescribed in Form II, while patients suffering from lighter attacks,
and convalescents, may be permitted the milder fever diet, given in Form
III.
_Mental Condition._ Great care and observation is necessary with regard
to the patient's mental state. The observance of a quiet demeanour on
the part of everyone about the sick room should help to keep the patient
quiet and undisturbed and may serve to preserve his consciousness.
I have treated very severe cases of typhus, with extremely high fever,
during which, however, consciousness remained. Inexorable strictness in
this respect is often resented and misunderstood by those surrounding
the patient until they realize the far-reaching importance of the orders
by comparison with other cases.
Cold ablutions on the affected parts, air and water cushions, must be
employed early enough to avert any danger of bed-sores.
This strict treatment of the patient--physically and mentally, will in
most cases be sufficient to render his condition endurable; otherwise
the struggle against the irritation of complications becomes intense,
rendering it imperative, in the first degree, that the brain symptoms
should be carefully watched.
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