The Abuse of Bed Rest in the Treatment of Myocardial Infarction

IN MEDICINE the ritualistic following of unproved traditional procedures is a common fault. Although it is never sound to desert the established practice because it is unproved, it is always important to review periodically the evidence bearing upon it. This is especially true when the treatment involves conflicts with the natural, perhaps instinctive, tendencies of the patient. For many years the physician rigidly restricted the fluid intake of edematous persons, with no voice but the patient's raised in protest. Surgical and obstetric patients were likewise kept at prolonged postoperative or postpartum bed rest until critical thought, and perhaps the shortage . . .