Early Tuberculosis Treatments

Dangerous Treatments

• 1890: Pneumothorax treatments

– Artificial pneumothorax: The infected lung was collapsed and filled with gas or filtered air.

Treatments were daily for 3 to 4 years after the initial treatment.

– Bilateral pneumothorax: Sections of both lungs were collapsed permanently.

Patients led somewhat normal lives, but suffered from shortness of breath and fatigue.

– Thoracoplasty: One side of the rib cage was removed in order to collapse the infected area of the lung.

Safer Treatments

• X-Rays: They allowed doctors to see both the infected and healing areas of the lungs, without entering the body.

• Developing Vaccines: They offered a way to prevent Tuberculosis.

• 1854: Sanatoriums

– The first sanatorium was built by Hermann Brehmer: He was cured from Tuberculosis after a stay in the Himalayan Mountains,

which exposed him to high altitudes, fresh air, and a good diet.

– Sanatoriums in the United States tried to simulate that environment by providing the following:

• Fresh Air

• Large amounts of food

• Lots of milk

• Sleep

• Exercise