Chest Diseases in the Aged

¹ St. Petersburg, Florida

Geriatrics should have for its purpose the preservation of function rather than the mere prolongation of life.

Chest diseases in the aged is here considered because diseases of the heart and lungs are major causes of death in old people. Fifty per cent of old people die from cardiovascular disease, and about twelve per cent from respiratory afflictions.

Alterations that occur in tissue with old age are:

1) Loss of tissue elasticity.

2) Diminished muscle tone.

3) Muscular atrophy.

4) Increased fibrosis.

5) Nerve degeneration.

These changes as they affect the various organs are discussed. Two case reports are presented to show the difficulties involved in the correct diagnosis of organic disease in the aged. Senescence frequently masks the presence of organic lesions so a plea is made for more painstaking and accurate methods to uncover hidden afflictions in the aged.