Show dancing Dan cinga ar helps W s heart patients patients medical director tells how cardiac convalescents thrive on exercise MENTAL EFFECT IS GOOD TOO treatment in force two years with uniformly beneficial results most joyous of play exercises physically and socially stimulant now new york dancing us as part of the regular treatment of those convalescing froni from heart disease was prescribed two years ago by dr frederic brush medical of the burke foundation the great institution for the care and treatment of convalescents at white plains to which many patients from new york city hospitals and other institutions are sent the results of this treatment as shown by its effect upon thousands of patients has been amazing all and doubtless will elicit a gasp of astonishment from the uninitiated laiman as well as from the physician of the older school doctor brush sass however that there have not been any bad results but on the contrary the exercise lias has been of great benefit modern dancing ball contra and folk types Is a valuable form of physical exercise in the reconstructive convalescent stages of heart disease lie he declares it affords a high degree of needed mental therapy mid and advances the patient notably toward social restoration ix ex perle per leitte itce indicates its safety it ches an added and readily available te test t of the cardiac reserves and of 0 progress the physician tells telis about his experience with dancing as a therapeutic agent in hospital social service applied exercises in the convalescent construct li lie e and preventive stages of heart disease have three main purposes says doctor avish to improve the general condition nutritional muscular and organic increase the cardiac reserve power and lessen the introspective and neurotic tendencies gradual reentry re entry into near normal occupational and social living Is the end sought it Is of assured advantage says the physician to have the exercises pleasurably anticipated and enjoyed and particularly valuable to have them simulate or merge into everyday th ay physical and social a activities formal gymnastics formal gymnastics aid by inspiring courage and further exercise in getting hold of the mild slacker or neurasthenic ra and serve well in bad weather times but in six bears years observation of some heart conva le scents says doctor brush brumb no regime has given such all round satisfaction safety and success as did the old farm regime where a total of nearly cardi acs hoys boys and young men were given essential freedom in play and work over the place under reasonable regulations of rest etc dancing may be called an inherent activity of all girls of women up to fifty and of most young and middle aged men says hayg the physician older persons are persistently itly happy in watching it it Is the most joyous of all play exert aises and both physically and soc socially lally stimulant convalescents with but a moderate degree of cardiac reserve may begin cautiously to dance then go on to a considerable indulgence with safety and benefit he asserts the heart patients early led the way in this women wore found to he lancing tn in their cottages mid and boys exhibited various jig stunts etc the practice pr netice was checked then carefully observed encouraged and organized and soon two or three formal dances per week were given open to patients pat leuta of all diagnoses and ages for two seasons past a dancing class for cardi card lacs acs under tinder eighteen years has been contacted cond acted under medical an and d nurse watchfulness the instruction being given principally by stronger patients of this group croup class attendance Is compulsory as aa soon as the heart strength Is considered adequate the weaker and more inore diffident are gradually inducted many cardi acs have hare given special fancy dances in entertainments this highly y divers lonal exercise is not stressed but Is included in the direction to begin to walk coast golf dance etc as soon as you feel able resident physicians orders tire are occasionally given for more or less or none of these various exercises how patients are affected for six months the lancing dancing Is out of doors the spectators too are strongly affected for good doctor brush asserts one hardly recognizes these patients at such functions they show color tinli animation nation strength good posture pains and neurotic depressions have actually disappeared and are the less likely to return 1 I can dance again Is a valued expression by patients |