Solving the Problems of the Tuberculous War Veteran

¹ Chief, Tuberculosis Service.

The modern tuberculosis institution is a great deal more than a place where only the disease is treated. Due to the long duration of hospitalization, the frequent paucity of symptoms and the fact that the majority of the patients are in their early adult years, it is important to give due consideration to the eventual aim of treatment, namely, restoration of the patient to as normal a working capacity as possible. It is necessary to utilize the patient's time and energies in useful pursuits which will be helpful towards his rehabilitation.

A well planned and well executed intramural program of rehabilitation, carefully integrated with the therapeutic regimen, designed to fit in with the post-hospital program of rehabilitation, is a vital function of the modern tuberculosis institution.

Rehabilitation should be started as early as possible after admission, consistent with the physical condition of the patient.

Skillful guidance is required to guard the patient from lapsing into the hypochondrical state of phthisiophobia, and this must be carefully balanced against the other extreme which is overconfidence to the stage of foolhardiness.

Treatment and rehabilitation are viewed as parts of one continuous program for the purpose of fitting the patient back into the social fabric as a useful, self-supporting, and self-respecting member of the community.