Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1842-02-24
nlf0itol.
FOR THE TELEGRAPH.
CON SU NJ p TIOE.
NO ONE.

There is not in the whole catalogue Of human
malades, incident to our climate, one that holds
SO conspicuous a rank as that of Phthlsis Pulmon-
ais, or consumption of the lungs. There is not a
disease so insidous in its approaches, so fatterng
in its course, or so surely fatal Youth and Wig
orous manhood are alike cut down; no age sex or
temperament is exempt from its fatal ravages and
in the present state OF medical science, scarcely
anything can be done more than to palliate, tho
instances are recorded where the disease has been
suspended, and insome rare instances cured
1t appears by the last annual report from the
health office cf Boston, that out of 1919 cases of
death in that city during the pas. year, ESQ were
from consumption, and 300 were from other dis
eases ofthe same organs, making in all ass deaths
yearly, from diseases of the lungs, gu, of pop
ulation of about 5000. A weekly report of the
intermcnts IN the city and county of New York,
from the 25th of Dec. 1S4l to the LIST of Jan. ~
in the New York Lancet, shows that there were
16S deaths-50 of which were from diseases of
the lungs-30 from consumption and 90 from
inflammation ofthe same organs From statistical
GreatBrtain,6in one thousand of those living, die
annually from diseases of the respiratory organs.
and twothirds OF these are from consumption. 1t is
estimated that Is per cent of the deaths of males,
and 10 of females are caused by this disease.
About 81, 900 English females are annually hur-
ried off by this disease, to premature grave.
This is, indeed,a sorrowful picture 10 contem-
plate, in much the malady is confined more
generally to the more useful period of life DE
tween the ages ot20 and 40) and that the healing
art is almost wholly unavailing in the removal of
this disease.
The majority of chronic diseases of the lungs
have been denominaled phttisis puimonaiis or
pulmonary consumption But it has been more re-
Gently demonstrated that under this title, several
different affections of the lungs have been con-
fnunded-suchfor example, las tubercular consump-
ton, chronic bronchitis-or bronchial phthisis,
catarrhal consumption, &c. The labors of many
eminent physicians tBayle, Broussais, Laennec
&c.,) have successfully unraveed this confusion
and it is now pretty generally agreed to restrict
the denomination of phthsis to the tubercular
substances which are developed in the lungs, and
which produce by their presence the arrangement
of these organs and the decay of the individual.
To the characteristics of this latter disease we
shall confne our remarks, and give, in as clear a
light as as possible the predisposng and exciting
causes ofthe development oftubercles IN the lungs
and the several stages through which this disease
passes in its ordinary course to fatal termina-
ton
Tubercular phthsis is generally, though not al
ways, an hereditary disease it is now pretty gen
orally acknowledged by the profession that the
predisposing principle is transmitted with life;
though it is not matter OF that all the pro-
geny Of tuberculous parents must of II ecessity
die of phthiss, From various circumstances the
predlsposlng principle may lie dormant in the sys-
TEN for years. or through long life, or it may at
tack and prey upon some other organs of the body.
The circumstances that would be likely to render
this hereditary principle inactive are, temperance
in all things,-the use ofwholesome food freedom
from great bodily fatigue, and the avoidance Of
all sudden and great atmospheric changes
tinuous and loud speaking singing, aud
play ing upon wind instruments over exerton
OF the mental faculties, and great mental excite
nent mind free from care, a quiet mind,
and daily moderate exercise IN the open air should
always be observed by those hereditarliy predis-
posed to consumption.
Those who inherit the seeds of this disease are
generally of Emphatic temperament the skin
is fair and delicate enlargement of the glands
about the neck may often be observed the chest
is narrow, long and depressed under the collar
bones the shoulder blades project, the body is
slender and sickly, the limbs lank and weak and
the cheeks display bright circumscribed redness
The pove are some of the characteristics exhb
tied by individuals predisposed to phthlss.
But phthis is may show tselfln instances where
no hereditary predspositon is known to exist
The more frequent causes in these cases, are a
constant cold moisture the effects of cold upon
the body when overheated or bathed in profuse
perspiration INSULT cent or bad food, especially
that which is composed principally or exclusive
ly of milk, bad bread, watery vegetables which
contain little nutriment, and unripe and decayng
fruits the constant use ofmelted snow, or wafer
impregnated with sulphate of lime, such is
often found in our wells seclusion and prolong-