[The importance of rest in sanatoria for tuberculous patients]

Since ancient times the main indication for the treatment of pulmonary phthisis consisted in prescribing trips to better climates, horseback riding or walking outdoors. In the second half of the XIXth century, the concept of sanatoria for TB therapy was developed in Europe, in order to confine patients in premises where abundant food, exposition to pure air and graded exercises were provided. In those places, rest progressively acquired more importance, becoming a thoroughly established ritual. In the XXth century, the regulations for the recently founded Chilean sanatoriums incorporated European schedules. In the case of Hospital Sanatorio El Peral, the rules became progressively stricter until 1952, when permanent rest in bed was determined as the regime required. This rule could be explained by the policy of using this sanatorium for the treatment of more serious forms of the disease.