Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1842-03-03
n!c0itoI.
FOR TIIE TELEGRAFH.
CON SUN ssrgD n.


In my fir st number, adverted TO the frequent
occurrence of this disease of the lungs, and its
generally fatal issu.. | now come to the d.af.r-
ent stages manifested in its course
Three stages are recorded in the regular phth-
sis of authors First. that of the crudity of the
tubercles-Second, that ortheir soitening-Thrd
and last that Of liberation oftbe substance of the
lung, which always takes place 20 greater or
less extent, after the tubercla has become soft
thereby increasing the cavity or hole in size, af-
ter the softensd matter has been expelled from
that organ The order Of these several stages
can never be inverted though it sometimes hap
pens, hat tubercles exhibit no symptoms of they
presence while in crude sate, being situated in
less sensitive part OF the lung In this state, the
disease offers no first STAGE, TO The observer; and
even Tie patient himself, may not be aware that
any difficulty exists in his lungs. AT other times,
the liberation Of the substance of the lung sue
cceds 80 rapidly 10 the softening of the tubercle
that the disease apparently begins with the Third
stage. AT other times, sgain, the last or third
stage nerer appears the patient sinks 10 the
first second, either from the violence of the fe-
yer, the intensity of the infamatory symptoms,or
profuse hemoptysis, (bleeding from the lungs,)
and sometimes from the exhaustion produced by
excessive diarrhca. In general, however, from
the period of the first appearance Of the disease,
the symptoms progress uninterrupted ly and grad
uay increase to lis fatal termination.
In describing the course ofpulmonary consump-
ton, shall conine my remarks to the symptoms
characteristic of The several stages through which
It passes, without regard to certain physc signs
or symptoms elected from tie chest by striking
upon its walls at various parts, (percu.sion) and
those obtained directly from the lungs, by apply
ing the to the chest, or through the medium
of instrument, (Stethescope, pre- pared tor the
purpose. These physical signs or symptoms ate
considered of the highest importance by every
physician, who possesses laudable thirst after
knowledge, acueness Of observation, and sound
ness Of Overwhelmingly s the point is now
established beyond conjecture or doubt-that no
man, however aged in his practice, and sanguine
on the score of experience, can decide with the
least claim to accuracy npon the nature and pro-
gress of diseases within the chest, without full
knowledge and understanding of these methods
Of investigation. A minute acquaintance and cor
ittt VI tiSsC .iiSluohS VI
;ion, renders the lars Of sound available with the
rational symptoms, or sensations, known and ex-
perienced by the patient himself The sensations
Of the patient may be real or fetitious-the phys
ician listens to these sensations upon trust, and
upon trust alone. Even where the sensations are
! real, the patient knows nothing of his physical
| symptoms-and if he does, he il liable to error
and deception and therefore his knowledge in
this particular, cannot be relied upon But
sociated with the sensations realized and expert
enced by the patient, the scrutnizing and well
informed physician may generally detect with ia
cjlity, by The lales Of sound, physical signs,
a disease of the lungs heart, in its various
stages. Hence twill readily be perceived, that Ac-
ouslics is an invaluable auxiliary al ] TO the sci
ence Of practical medicine
! A slight cough, is generally the first sym ptom
/ by which tubereular disease OF the lungs is in
dictated. 1t is generally so very slight, as
j ly to be observed by the patient or hislriends OF
if SO, il is almost always attributed to slight cold.
some thing else, which exctes little after ton.
Gradually the cough increases it IS observed in
the morning when getting out of bed, then occa-
siouay through the day, especially after any OK
ertion which hurrios the breathing, excites the
circulation. In this stage, the cough is accom-
panied with the expeetoration Of a white, ropy
Auid, resemblinr saliva Oppression of the chest
or onickncss Of breathing occurs ascending
stars, walking rapidly, or indeed, during any
tive exeriion As the disease advances, and be-
fore the second stage commences, very "f.en ac-