Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1859-10-22
tFrom tho Cincinnati Bnqulrer)
Dr.. Wolfe on Consumption and Medica-
ted Inhalation.
LETTER XII.

NAhAbNAo 0uNauNfIloNs
In my last letter Fpointed out that spit
ting Of blood is, with few exceptions. tb
precursor or companion ofoonsumption .ant
that the smallest quantity mixed with Ia,
expectoration, IL as significant as though
they were pints coughed up and therefore
on the appearance of this symptom, imme-
diate recourse should be had 10 measures
calculated to eradicate its deadly companion
Phthiss,
Consumption is divided into Chronic, La
tent lnfantiles Sub Acute and Acute, which
| propose to describe seratim. Chronic
consumption runs its course in period var,
ying from few months to several years
the average time being about twenty months
At first slight hacking cough comes on
watch is most frequent in the morning when
rising. 1t is dry at first, but after varia,
bic interval, q little thick, saliva looking
mucus is spit up, which as it becomes more
abundant, often deposits groyish sediment
resembling barley water, which is only seen
in consumption. The cause of this cough.
which at first is only hack, is the irrita,
! ton occasioned by the existence of tuberces
IN the lungs too often not suspected until
too late Sometimes the first symptom OBJ,
served is the splitting of blood, often in very
small quantities. In other cases sore throat
or catarrh, comes on from slight exposure
to cold on subsiding, leaves the dry hack
just spoken Of
Sometimes consumption is ushered in by
a succession Of chills and fever, that coines
on with the regularity of ague, for which it
is often mistaken. Others, again, first be-.
tray the fatal faint by sense of heat in the
hands and feet and slight flush on the
cheek most marked in the evening. A vast
ing of the body is often an early and always
a serious symptom. Perspiration is increas
ei at night, until ut length The bed is fairly
saturated in the latter stages The wasting
and debility keep pace with the amount Of
pight sweat As general rule, the appe,
10 remains good, but in the second stage
ll Is frequently vomited after cough
ing la women, the monthly sickness is
generally suppressed and the mistake is
often made OF attrbuting the lung disease
to this, instead OF referring to the oonsump-
tion as the true cause Of suppression Pain
is often present. but not always As the dis-
ease progresses the spit becomes streaked
with yellow-ohanging into yellowish or
grayish green, consisting Of pure matter,
mixed with specks OF tubercle. When |
thrown into water they assume n round fiat |
toned shape, covered with a ragged, woolly |
surface, md sink in the water When cay,
tiles are developed in the lungs, they lose
their rounded shape and arc eXpectorated in |
large, shapeless masses
In this form Of consumption, the patient
does not always run a uniform course, but
in some the patient appears to improve eyl
cry now and then he may be apparently
well even for weeks or months, and then be
again prostrated totally and this for several
successive intervals. But this improvement
is deceptive how l will proceed to explain.
A crop OF tubercles are deposited upon theI
lungs; they soften and are e1pectorated dur,
ing which the patient is prostrated after
which he rallies until new crop is sown or
which goes through the same rout,
inc, and this is repeated until the patient is
exhausted At every successive softening
of batch Of tubercles portion Of lung is
broken down and expectorated, and the pa.
tient spits pus--has hectic fever night
sweats, loss OF flesh and strength, and often
Of appetite, and coughs very much at night
Then the symptoms intite, the cough dis-
appears and he regans flesh and strength.
Now his friends think he is well, and he
aatters himself that he is quite restored, but
in short time all the bad symptoms re-
turn 1t is the occurrence of these inter,
vale Of temporary health that has given an
i'll deserved reputation to Cod Liver Oil, and
u Thousand yillainous nostrums for the cure
Of consumption, and upon which, also, the
reputation Of testimonial publishers depend;
health being established for the time by ma
turo herself, which they refer to the last
drug taken, or to the last quack employed,
The most eminent physicians content
themselves with telling their consumptiye
patients 10 live well, tako out door exer-
oise, be prudent and take very little medi.
cine. Tnis is all very good advice. 1t is
better than helping on the lqial result OF the
disease by preparations Of morphine to
soothe the cough at the expense Of the di,
gettion; making sore on the outside of
the chest, to help the ulcer inside to finish
the patient pGrging, 10 aid the disease TO
exhaust the sufferer, and the other fashion
able modes OF slaughter This plan Of leav
ing the case to nature, is the better of two
svis, as the patient has a chance Of long
,r lease of life, although death is almost the
nyariable result.
1t was my intention to here speak oftreat,
nene but Gpropos Of what have just writ,
en-; Ia attempting TO cure consumption il
lan only be done by absorption of the tu,
)ercles, and their removal, without break
ug down tho structure Of the lungs. This
8 the mode by which dropsies, enlarged
erofulous glands, tumors, etc, are removed;
md this is what we assert is effected by
dedicuted inhalation, when resorted 10 in
imo. The tuberoulous matter thus absorb 9
d into the blood, is thrown of from the !
ys,em By the skin, kidneys, bowels and 3
ther emunotitories
n. b, WOLFE, NJ. ID.
Physician for diseases Of the Lungs and
'hroat, No SO, Ninth street. Cincinnati o.
r. ST. have prepared a "Circular" for the I
se Of those who may wish TO consult me s
especting my method of treating diseases
L the lungs, who reside at a distance from
he city, or who cannot visit me personally Z
Tho circular contains list OF questions re-, |
ating to the symptoms by which consump,
ion and It's different varieties are known,
nd by answering which correctly, persons :,
rom abroad are enabled 10 send me cor, y
cot statement OF tioir condition for advice :.
nd tgoetment In this manner, am ena- y
bled to put peTsopsunder treatment BY med Il
nated inhalation at their own homes, in all ls'
arts Of the county where express facilities
re afforded by sending them medicines, in,
aler, and full directions for their USE X
iany have thus been restored 10 health, who "
D all human seeming were hurrying into q
he consump.iye's grave X
Application for tho circular must be acc
d HaN.