Fresh Air and Sunlight for Tuberculosis by W. A. R.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 7, 1910

Fresh Air and Sunlight for Tuberculosis

By W. A. R.

point. Pasteurization is preferable, for the reason that boiling diminishes the digestibility of some constituents of milk. Butter is a frequent carrier of tuberculosis. One should be certain that the cows from which this product comes are tested occasionally for tuberculosis. Carbohydrates (sugars) come from grains, vegetables, fruits, sugars, sirups, and honey.

Plenty of water is also essential to health. Cream, milk, and other fat emulsions, eggs with well-cooked grains, fine vegetables, legumes, and nuts, with fruit at proper times, compose an ideal diet for tuberculous patients and suspects, as well as for well persons. Proper mastication is important.

Fresh air is a most important feature night and day. The old theory that night air is bad has exploded long ago. Fresh outdoor air is as essential by night as by day. Sleep outdoors if possible. If not, have two or more windows open wide. Proper precaution as to exposure to drafts is necessary. Breathe deeply when in the outdoor air. Expand the lungs fully.

Germs exposed to sunshine can survive but a short time. Germs, like mold, are vegetables that thrive best in dark places. When exposed to light, they wither and die, as a potato sprout that has grown in the dark does when exposed to sunlight. Then let the sunlight into your rooms. Expose the bedding, carpets, and clothing to the sunlight. Open your windows and blinds, and throw back the curtains, during the day and night. Health depends much upon proper exposure of the body to sunlight. Sun-baths are excellent. Patients whose temperature is above normal, however, should not remain long exposed to the direct rays of the sun.

Rest is essential in health or disease. Insufficient rest of body and mind is disastrous. Especially is rest necessary in tuberculosis. While a person who has this disease is having any rise of temperature, he should rest in bed or in an easy chair all the time.

What shall we do about those who are afflicted with this disease? They may be cared for without much danger to others if proper precautions are observed. All patients suffering with tuberculosis should be under the care of a good physician, and should give heed to the suggestions regarding fresh air, food, and rest. The mouth should be covered with a large handkerchief when coughing, for germs are thrown out into the surrounding air unless this precaution is observed. These handkerchiefs should be kept between coughs in a receptacle that can be sterilized. All sputum must be collected in a receiver that can be burned. The patient should, of course, sleep alone, and if possible the bed should be exposed to the sunlight an hour or more before it is made up.

The many cases of sickness and increasing disease all about us offer an exceptional opening for us to gain access to the people. With the great light we have, we should be foremost of all people in helping others. Where is there such a wide-open, unobstructed door to the homes and hearts of the people as through the gateway of human need in time of suffering? A certain church in Boston establishes classes for tuberculous patients, and instructs them and their friends concerning the prevention of the disease, and the care of those who are sick with it. They report seventy-five per cent of these patients cured by this means. It costs the church one thousand dollars a year.

This brings us to the question of climate. It was thought at one time that mountain altitude and air were essential to successful treatment of tuberculosis. Happily this has been found to be a non-essential. Almost, if not quite, as large a percentage of people recover from consumption in their own homes, or possibly I should say, just outside of their own homes, on the roof or veranda, as recover when sent to some mountain region. Fresh air, proper food, and care do not depend upon altitude. These, fortunately, are more easily obtainable at home than away from home. Then, too, the great majority of those afflicted can not afford to go to a distant altitude.

The object of this article, then, is to urge preventive measures. Every Seventh-day Adventist should be awake to this subject.

Summary

As many of our people in the United States in the prime of life are sacrificed to tuberculosis annually as we send away as foreign missionaries.
Tuberculosis is a preventable disease. If we do not prevent it as far as lies in our power, are we not guilty of violating the principle of the sixth commandment?
The preventive as well as the curative measures are plenty of fresh air, proper food, adequate rest.
Other churches are taking advantage of this situation to gain access to the people. Should we not do something along this line?

W. A. R.