TREATMENT FOR ASTHMATICS
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—The effective treatment of asthma, that most distressing and disabling of complaints, is a problem that has recently attracted considerable attention in circles both medical and lay. Amongst the various treatments suggested I have been struck by the similarity between the result of some of the work of the Asthma Research Council, and the conclusions come to by Dr. Percy Hall, in his Asthma and Its Treatment, pub- lished the other day. Together they produce a strong case for the more extensive use of physiotherapeutic methods, and particularly of ultra-violet radiation, which, in Dr. Hall's opinion, "easily takes first place" amongst them.
He recommends that the treatment should be both general (i.e., the whole body) and local, by treating the nose with a special lamp. Owing to the widespread occurrence of asthma (which may be due to a number of causes) it occurs to the writer to enquire whether sufficient use is being made of existing ultra-violet radiation, which is chiefly found in our large hospitals.
It cannot be too widely known that patients suffering from asthma derive much benefit from exposure to sources of ultra-violet light. No doubt in time asthma, among other diseases, will be treated through the public health services in this manner.
In the meanwhile there arc throughout the country lamps attached to tuberculosis dispensaries, and to Child Welfare Centres, which might with slight adjustment of routine, be used for the treatment of sufferers from asthma, if indeed, that is not being done already in certain centres.—I am, Sir,
Previous page
