Treatment of Tuberculosis in a Neuropsychiatric Hospital

¹ Chief of Medical Service, Veterans Administration Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa.
² Chief of Professional Services, Veterans Administration Hospital, Coatesville, Pa.
³ Consulting Thoracic Surgeon, Veterans Administration Hospital, Coatesville, Pa.

1) Our experience suggests that the high incidence of tuberculosis in hospitals for mental patients can be reduced by a continuous case finding program followed by adequate therapy of active cases.

2) Neuropsychiatric patients with tuberculosis should receive all types of therapy available to mentally normal patients inclusive of major surgery. The indications for temporary and permanent collapse procedures and resections are the same as in the non-psychotic patient.

3) The patients' mental conditions should be treated concurrently and electroconvulsive therapy should be used when indicated in the presence of active tuberculosis.

4) It is emphasized that the treatment of neuropsychiatric tuberculous patients requires the active supervision of the internist, psychiatrist, thoracic surgeon and nurses trained and experienced in caring for them.

5) Preliminary data in the treatment of 121 psychotic patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis confirm these conclusions.