Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1855-09-26
DIR HARTMAN.
On the Cure of Consumption by Medi
Gated Inhalation.
LETTER NO. Q.
To The Editors of the Chronicle.

, science of Medicine. II" nourlsheo foo
{ Years before the Christian Era. From
, his day down TO the present period OF
lime. his followers have been accustomed
; 10 write voluminous essays upon the
cause of consumption describing with
the utmost minutenesS the multiplicity OF
phases which it may assume, and the d.
veIs fed phenomena which it presents
and then in conclusion, as a synopsis,
offer nothing more than mere pallialiun
as treatment, or some potent remedy,
brought into use by accident, heralded
by the influence and sanction of some
great name, to enjoy a short-lived popu-
larity, and then sink into merited Ubllyl-
on. Without stopping at present 10 dis
cuss the nature of such remedies and
their mode of application ] will pass
Immediately to a consideration of the va
lious methods by which chronic diseases
of the lungs have been treated.
1. BY medicines given through the
medium Of the stomach by which they
are conveyed into the bloo4, and thus
medicate the entire system.
2. By medicines applied to the outside
of the chest, called counier-irritation,
with the object of diverting the disease
from within to the outside.
8. By INHAL1NG medicines directly
into the lungs thus bringing them into
direct contact with TIE seat OF disease.
These are the only possible means
that can be used TO act upon the dis
eased lungs. Upon The first and second
means enumerated, the /" old faculty of
Pbysic'' have hung all their treatment
for ages past, and such continues to be
their practice down to the present time.
1t has been so unsuccessful as 10 estab-
lish the incurabilIty of consumption in
their W minds, as clearly as a thou.
sand deaths TO a single cure can. The
administration Of medicines thus directed
by erroneous principles. could not result
otherwise. They were intended TO cure
a LocAL disease in the lungs, and yet
from their mode of administration must
spend their influence upon the entire con-
s~titution !! The last mentioned method
by Misunderstanding the remedies
in the form of medicated vapors into the
lungs, in direct contact with the seat of
disease, thus producing a curative effect
where it is demanded. In the treatment
of no other disease have we so potent a
remedy-one so certain and so rational
lone so simple and so philosophical
one so safe, and yet so successful.
Consumption is caused by an obstruc-
ton 10 the free in gress of air to the lungs
by the deposition of tuberculous mat
Ter in the all tubes and cells, or in the
pulmonary tissue. This deposite APP
pears in a diversity Of forms, sometimes
in the form of small, shining, homogene.
Gus bodies, in size varying from a millet-
seed to a pea-at other times in large ir-
regular masses from n TO three inches
in size. of greyish color or, gellatious
in nature, of a rose colored appearance.
These. may increase in size by the re.
peated aggregation of new ones or, by
the accumulation of new accretions to
their substance. They may remain sta
tionary for years, if not excited to assume
a new character, and if not very numer-
Gus may exist for a long time, without
any serious detriment to the health, or
ever comfort Of the individual. But I'M
fortunately this is seldom the case. A
change usually takes place in the depos-
il, called s~OFTENING. This commences,
in general, at the centre, and progresses
toward the circumference, ultimately
converting the whole tubercle into a soft
yellowish mass of matter. The irritation
produced by this confined matter speed
lily produces inflammation and liberation ;
and thus bursting through its containing
walls, establishes a communication be-
tween the tubercle and bronchial tubes.
This increases irritation, and producing
cough, the patient discharges it, by ex-
~pectoration, leaving behind it a CAvITY.
You will see by this;S a portion of the
lung is destroyed. These cavities are
often lined by a membrane, endowed
with the faculty of secreling matter, by
which irritation of the lungs and distress
of the patient is increased. Several of
these cavities may form simultaneously
in near proximity to each other, spread,
destroy the adjacent tissue and form cav
tiles, irregular in shape and of great
magnitude. 1t is by such process of de-
struction that the lungs are d~isorganized,
So much impaired that, unable longer to
perform heir allotted function, the patient
perishes.
Now, what do these facts point to
FirStly-Prior TO the foundation of
cavities endeavor to promote absorption
of the tubercular deposits by appropri-
ate inhalants. What | mean by absorp-
ton is the power of certain vessels to
take up and convey these matters from
the lungs. 1t is analagous-indeed the
same process-by which a lax eye, or
discolored bruise, vanishes or fades
away.
Secondly-After softening of the tu-
bercles and the formation oil. cavities, pro-
mote the expectorati n of the contained
matter, and then change the character
of the lining membrane of the cavity,
and thus accomplish a cicatrization, or
healing up of the cavity This can all
be done by proper expectorant and Alter
alive Inhalations.
In order that you may see more clear
ly, the delightful philosophy of such an
application of medicine /; permit me to
advert to a few facts in regard to the
Lungs. The lungs are two conical or
ganS, situated within the chest. Their
function is that of respiration. The re-
spiratory movement embraces not only
the inspiration of air, but also expiration.
The Lungs are separated from each 9TH
err by the heart and a membranOus sep
tum, called the me1iastinum. The right
lung has three lobes the left but two.
In structure these organs are composed
of The bronchial tubes terminating in air
cells the ramifications of the pulmonary
artery and veins arteries and veins of
the bronchia ; nerves and lympathics,
all held together by a tissue called their
parenchima. The trachea, or windpipe
divides into two branches, one commu-
niaatin. nth d. =i.Lt nnI d.. aLkar j.