Common-Sense in Advising "A Change of Climate" to Tuberculous Patients

By R. KRISHNA,_ m.b., b.s., King Edward VIIth Sanatorium, Bhowali, U. A patient should never be advised to go to a place which his medical adviser has not either visited himself or about which he is not thoroughly Well-informed. There are important points about a health-resort, and unless the physician acquaints himself with them, his advice to a patient to go for "a change " cannot be regarded as sound. If a medical adviser has not this knowledge and experience he will find it to the 'nterest of both the patient and himself to leave the matter in the hands of others who have such knowledge and experience. Before advising a tuberculous patient to go to a health-resort or a sanatorium one should satisfy oneself on the following points:? (a) Has the patient sufficient means to rent a suitable house or rooms and to bear the expenses of living comfortably in the hills and for the necessary treatment? (b) Is the patient in a fit condition to undertake the journey? No patient with high fever should be sent on a journey unless for very llrgent reasons, and then only with proper arrangements made for travelling, for rest at ?ntermediate stations, and for proper feeding on the way. (c) Are suitable, sanitary, and well-ventiated quarters available at the place to which the patient is advised to go? Anyone who has been to a sanatorium or a health-resort knows well that many patients come *? the place without having first made enquiries as to whether suitable accommodation is available or not, and the inconveniences they are therey heedlessly put to for want of forethought. (d) Is suitable medical assistance available? , . 0) Is the case suitable for treatment at a 1Jgh altitude? ^'DlCATlONS I'ok SENDING P'ATI IvN'l'S TO A IillX