Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1852-09-29
Dr.. TH0S. Il. GREEMHOUGH,
PHYSICIAN FOR CONsUMPT1vE DISEASE


Dr.. G. has spent five years in the special study
and investigation Of this branch ofhis profession,
enjoying the advantages of an extensive prac.
tlce IN England, France and Germany.
The treatment he pursues is by the Inhalation
Of Warna medicinal UaporS, las advised by Sir
Charles Scudamore.) based OH recent discoveries
In the Physiology of Respiration and Nutrition,
and will bear the closest philosophical exami.
nation.
Consumption is a local disease, generated and
fed by the blood in a certain chemical condition,
and can only be removed by local chemical
means, capable OF alterin. that condition, through
the medium of the diseased organ. To accom-
piIsh this purpose, as we cannot apply solids or
fluids To a cavity designed only Tor the recep.
ton Of air, We reduce them TO a volatile condi-
lion, aud from an appropriate instrument inhAle
Or breathe the vapor.
by the Inhalation Of vapors. We can vproGHeA-
41dic:ed bV medicines. much more speedily and ef
fcientIy than from the administration of crude
medicines through the stomach The practice Of
giving medicines by the stomach in the treat
ment Of this disease is Objectionable: fi.st be-
cause they do not come in direct contact with
the organ affected secondly. because their most
powerful actions is expended on organs In a
healthy state, or only dlsordrred by sympathy,
thereby deranging digestion and destroying the
nutrition of the b91g and finally, because
'''f E~'NS 49,
tered in the gaseous state.
Though Consumption must ever remain a We
ry common disease while physical treatment is
neglected in youth Especially in those inheriting
a predisposition / oit), and will often prove fatal
under the most iudicious management, yet We
do not believe, necessarily, more frequently than
Inflammation Of the Lungs, or Continued Fever.
The following case has been selected from our
minute book. not ne All isolated instance of cure.
but as one Of decided character. demonstrating
the possibility of recovery even IN hopeless cases.
Agentleman, engaged in mercantile pursuits,
aged 81, having a narrow chest, aud subject Tor
MANY wears to irritation of the lungs aud cough,
was attacked with bronchitis in March, 1850
lie was hIed and subjected to active treatment,
and after an illness of three weeks, recovered SO
/, far as TO he able to snperiniena his affairs. From
this time he began TO lose flesh, the cough con-
: tinued. and the expectoratlon. previously slight
q and whitish in color, became IL May OF a green
ish yellow, very much increased IN quantity
and frequently streaked with blood. During
the summer months he lost ground less rapidly
but in September he had become so emaciateC
as 10 be unable to walk without support, wa
confined to his room, and almost 10 his bed
THE pulse varied from loo To 1875 IN the minute
Hectic fever and night sweats supeTvened. Tn
powers OF digestion were so weak that he coul'
= take nothing beyond chicken broth, or jelly pre-
nared with wine. barely sufficient to sustain life
l. | ms case was GIFA tit Ed4 VI tN l5NCS AAEN
zeal authority on affections of the chest, in Lon
T. don. BY whom the disease was pronounced Con
sumption in the third stage. boTelss Of all amend
ment. On the 10th Of September he was place
under treatment by inhalation. After a for
night be manifested signs Of amendment /
:, November be was able to walk a distance of
al quarter of mile without assistance. On th
le 23d he was compelled 10 lay aside the Treatment
b. in consequence Of almost i~ncessant cough. an
IN a sense of sufoc4:ion occurring at each inspir;
ton. These symptoms were relieved on IL
fourth day by a sudden discharge IF nearly ha
a a teacup full Of p~urulent matter, evidently ari
ing from the opening of an abcess or Vomic
re- From this time he steadily improved. He resun
ar ed his treatment on the lst of December, and
= new years day walked nearly a mile, csIliI
eh on several ef his friends, and exchanging u
socialities of the season. From the time, Il
- treatment was modified. go that instead of usil
Limitations three or four times a dav. as he IA;
done. he used them only once. In the followil
March he travelled 240 miles making his pu
of chases in Birmingham and Leeds in person. al
for we have every reason 10 believe, still continu
err in the enjoyment Of health.
DR.. GREEEHoUeH expects to visit r
eigh in q few weeks, OF as COON az practicable.