Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-07-17

PASo0Cu A1CuCC, WHICH q pcISou is
asthmatic, he cannot be consumptive.
I'd. He ascertained also, that 'pulno-
nary catarrh. or some corresponding al
lection IN the great air passage, vulgarly
called the wind-pipe, is an excellent agent
for expanding the chest, and removing
speedily we'll marked symptoms of con-
SUMPTION; and in word, destroying al
together the tuberculous tendencv.-
: Hence says the doctor, knowing what
an excellent agent pulmonary catarrh is
TO ward of consumption, never NEEDLE
with 1t. The same remarks may be ap-
piled to some extent TO bronchial .affec-
tlon, as 1t acts as powerful preventive to
the progress of tuberculous disease,-and
to Gthis latter disease many consump-
tlves are doubtless indebted for the pro-
longing of their lives. Such, presume,
Is my own case; but for the bronchial af-
lection, the consumption would have pro-
crossed more rapidly.
sd. He also ascertained satisfactorily,
that all medicinal remedies were entirely
notifications, either to prevent consump-
ton, or to cure it after it was once seated
and to use his own words, he has never
known single instance in which case
OF tuberculous consumption was cured bv
residence in warm climate but he
has known many cases in which the dis
ease was confirmed Having ascertain
ed the inefficacy OF the more genial
climes,' and also the beneficial effects pro-
duced by pulmonary catarrh, his first f.
forts were to endeavor to induce this dis
ease; to effect which, one ofhis expedl-
ents was, to oblige the patient to breathe,
twice or thrice day, atmospheric air
made cold by artificial means; and in
more than one instance succeeded, and
the patient recovered. He observed furth-
er, that consumptive patients, during the
winter season in the hospital, invariably
sunk, from the heated or warm apart
ments in which they were kept; and dis
charging some from the hospital in that
Indictment season, they became suddenly
exposed to the cold, and catarrh succeed
ed, by which means they were recovered
from their consumptive affections.
DIR. r. gives also an account of man
who had been using medical means until
he was wearied out with swallowing
drugs, and impatient of confinement, came
to the conclusion, since he must die, to
die in the manner most agreeable to him
self, and in the month of March betook
himself to his favorite sport of fishing,
and by this rash exposure took violent
cold, which appeared to becen6ned to the
trachea. His respiration was sensibly af
fected, and he labored under distressing
fullness of the chest. Although he con-
tinued subject to this affection, with an ap-
parent increase of his disorder, he reject
! ed all care and medicine, and still perse-
vered in going out. After some time he
began to amend. gradually lost his ema-
clated appearance, gained flesh and vigor
but was yet annoyed by wheeling of the
chest, ana loud rattle in the throat. Aft.
er remaining in this state for some months
he applied to DR.. R.. and he at once
perceived, upon examination of the chest.
and a detail from his former physician
that he was indebted for his recovery
from consumption to this catarrhal state
| of the trachea.
Dr. R., however, found it difficult to
produce catarrh in all cases, and was led
to try an experiment upon an ingenious
mechanic, consump i've, (who had los
three brothers by consumption,) by put.
, ting an iron collar about his neck, com
pressing the wind-pipe, and producing ar
inflammation which caused difficulty in
breathing,-by which means greater
, quantity OF air was thrown into the lungs
the chest was permanently enlarged, ana
: the patient a0GS restored.
From all the above circumstances, find
9 ing the ineficacy of medical treatmen
: alone, and the great benefit of asthma, ca
4 tarrh, or inflammation of the wind-pip,
, and the bronchial tubes in charging th,
| lungs, DIR. r. was led to experiment will
7 a tube properly constructed, through
S which the patient breathed under prope
a directions, and this he found to 'answe
: still better.
. From these remarks it must not b.
e supposed that DIR. r. places no value up
e on medical treatment On the other hanl
!, he does consider it highly important il
!, reducing the inhammatory symptoms
!: and removing the hectic fever, but no per
G ;nanent benefit can be derived from suct
# medical treatment alone. This fact ap
e pears generally to be understood among
e medical practitioners. Hence the advic,
y so frequently given, to take sea voyage
: or to travel by land, -which in some in
/ stances prove highly beneficial, but il
l. many others injurious.-exposing the in
: valid to cold, damp air, rain storms, an
r great fatigue; also depriying him of tn
f. conf orfS If hop,o and bind friondc Th
1T chief benefit deprived from sea voyages {
IS travels, arises, in some instances, from
= the promoting of the general health-th