The daily press. (Cincinnati [Ohio) 1859-1859, 1859-05-31
lcoMhUNlCA
Medicated Limitations.

MEssRs. demonstrating noticed several
articles in the columns of our daily press on
this subject, in which the topical application
of medicinal vapors is highly lauded, deem
1t my duty to give to my fellow-citizens my
views upon this subject. There are now in
this city some three or mors professors Of this
new method of treating diseases of the throat
and lungs, each claiming for himself that he
Is the sole professor of the proper medicinal
agents, and that he, and he only understands
the right method of treating these diseases.
Wore it not that l consider that treatment
by inhalation is frequently attended by much
more serious consequences than employing the
pockets Of the patients-that it frequently ag-
>grayates the complaint, often converting a
simple catarrhal affection into chronic lung
complaint should not trouble you with this
communication. t
Let us enquire into the Dlodu operandi of
medicated inhalation, and the probable ad-
vantages and injuries to be derived therefrom
in diseases of the lungs.
Consumption, or phthisis pulmonalis is a
disease of the cachectic type, the peculiar
characteristic of which is an albumenous de-
posit in the substance Of the lungs. Now, this
tuberculous deposition itself is not the disease,
1t is merely the consequence of depraved state
of the blood. Inhalations of creosote, tar.
water, and other antiseptic yapors may, II is
true, have tendency 10 cure tubercles already
deposited, and thus give temporary relief; but
as long as the blood retains its depraved charac-
ter, the disposition TO deposit remains, and a
new crop Of tubercles is the result. The in
haler exhibits the wisdom of one who endeavors
10 purify reservoir fed from muddy stream
in place Of obviating the cause that muddies
the stream. So much for the apparent benefits
--one word as TO 10 the injuries frequently re-
sulting from local applica tons. %
Aside from its occupying valuable time in
the early and durable stages of SO formidable
disease, the frequent inhalation of these
substances irritates the lungs, oecasioning an
accumulation of blood in its cells, producing
Hemoptysis, increasing the cough, and en-
dangering an attack of Pleurisy. In laryn-
gial or bronchial affections IL frequently tends
TO drive the disease from comparatively
harmless situation into the lungs. In fine I
know of but one disease TO which Inhalation
appears adapted, and that is spasmodic
Asthma, q local affection of the recurrent
nerves Of the epiglotsis and even in that I
am convinced that q judicious constitutional
treatment is preferable r7 h affer
R Many ofSyour readers have read of the in
ternecine war last winter, in which DR.. Hor-
ace Greene was arraigned before the Academy
Of Medicine of the city of New York, charged
with causing the death of Mr.. whitney sby
topical applications Of nitrate of silver y mol
by inhalation, IL is true, but by anala gous
treatment; the only difference being that DR..
Greene makes direct application of q dilution
white the inhalers apply the medicine in a
state OF vapor. Both treat by topical n,edi-
cation; both treat effects and not cwases; both
may sometimes palliate, but neither ever
cure. 1 WILLIAM GUILFORD,
.tus 70 Mo- 100 West Sixth street.