Thoracoplasty

Stethoscope scientists swarmed to Portland, Ore., last week to attend the annual meeting of the National Tuberculosis Association. Dr. H. Longstreet Taylor of St. Paul in his presidential address emphasized the need for careful supervision of "cured" patients. This is an economic as well as a sociologic need since a large proportion of pulmonary patients are public charges and every relapse doubles the original cost of care. The "cure to end the cure" costs comparatively little and has far reaching benevolent effects, according to figures of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.

Surgery has yielded "brilliant" results in pulmonary tuberculosis according to Dr. William H. Thearle of Denver. Thoracoplasty, an operation which consists in cutting away part of the ribs, allowing the diseased lung to collapse and be at rest, giving it a chance to heal, and stopping the spread of the disease, has been employed in 148 cases during the last seven years. Forty one per cent were cured, 33% improved.