REST CURE FOR LUNGS.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 January 1926, Page 4

REST CURE FOR LUNGS.

THKAT.MK.NT FOIL CONSUMPTION

A surnic-ul method of giving unfortunate. tubercular lungs the rest, cure was described by Professor -lolm Alesander. of the L'niversitv of .Michigan, in the 'Deooml>er issue of tho “.Journal of tho Outdoor Info” as the means ol curing or improving a largo percentage of patients suffering from progressive tuberculosis in one lung. Tho “rib operation,” is this method is called, is the most important surgical means of treating tuberculosis. It was first used in a crude form by a

French surgeon of Lausanne, Switzerland, and was greatly improved later in Germany. It lias passed the experimental stage, and lias been used by European surgeons with a remarkable degree of success.

It consists of removing, from otic to eight inches of the eleven upper ribs where these are joined to the spinal cord. The pleural cavity is not opened and the lung is not touched. The gaps left by the removal of portions of the ribs are filled when the remaining ends come together, and the size of the chest is reduced on the operated side, compressing the lung and its cavities.

Within a few months the cut ends of the ribs grow together and oony bridges form between them. The lung loses its power to function, and has a chance to eliminate in time the diseased portions. Experience has shown that one healthy lung is enough for the normal respiratory needs of any person. After the tuberculosis is healed the lung cannot be restored. This is not a disadvantage, because the weak hmg is held under permanent control against the dangers to which it would bo exposed when the patient returns to active life. After the wound is healed tne deformity is very slight. Although the lung is greatly diminished in size, the circumference of the chest does not appear much smaller, because the col-lar-bone holds the shoulder at us normal distance from the body. The range of Imotioii and the strength of the shoulder and arm oil the operated side are very little impaired.—“ Science Service.”