Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-02-24
CONSUMPTION.
LETTER No. 2.

To the Editor Of the Star:
Sir: The close Of my last letter, promised
towrite few words explanatory Of that large,
and, as have shown, improperly treated class of
under the non,enr atafe Of Materia Medica, an Pc
rineumony. ePneumonitis. Phthisis. Pulmonalis,
&c, mcasipg by these terms Inflammation Of the
lungs pulnonic consumption. &c.
Before proceeding with nv disouistion on con.
SUMPTION, Us cause and cure. would here state,
thai my letters may for the future bc comprehend
Cd by your readersI shall dispense with the tech
nical Jargon Of the schools. and employ such terms
only as viii directly convey nv meaning When
this Is not possible, will add To such technical
expressions or terms. simple definitions. I am sat-
isned that much Of the confusion and ignorance
which prevail upon disease NAV be attributed To
the professional phrase in which il Ia clothed
gaaient afflicted with lung disease knows what In
nammation and consumption import: but when
his medical adviser informs him that his is case of
fhtnfsis Puimonalis (Pulmonic Consumptionl O,
fneumonifis inflammation Of the lungs) or Broa-
cnm ltrache1). and Bronchia Examinations of the
wlndpiPe), he may retire from the learned man
snghtly COMPOUNDED at the symptoms which he
has witnessed of cacoethes ioquend in his adviser
put not particularly enlightened upon the nature
ana extent OF the disease which affects him.
Let me, therefore, ut the outset, be perspicuous
in my language. apprehend that can convey
my meaning to the public, without resorting to
mongrel Latin and Greek terms Bronchial affec-
tions and consumption originate not unfreouently
In remote and never contemplated effects. Thus
persons not predisposed from hereditary causes
have been forced into decline either from badly
treated cases Of coStivencss, from const patton
OF the intestines, when il assumes the semi-chro-
mic character. The blood which IL the repository
OF the ife-siving elements and the conservator Of
the bocy health, when ii becomes diseased either
from the continued lack Of pure air or the absorp-
ton Of improper OF unhealtbful food soon exhib-
Its lis inharmonious condition i'm the disease and
Hesay Of ING mere important Of the ife-giving and
veloped, we seek to remove il by attac king its
cause That obliterated, and the return Of the di-
gestive track " its normal condition. is task pre-
senting no difhculty. So should we proceed with
the removal OF consumption. The irritating cause
overcome. the Tfatient must recover.
Scrofula Is D fftit Of the bood's impurity As
the diseased blood perncates the lungs and throat
II DEVELOPS, in the former bronchitis (innamma-
ton Of the membrane Of the windpipc which
ramifies in the lungs) and tubercles on the coat
ings OF the lungs In either case, unless checked,
Inflammation and wasting Of these important
organs become inevitable II 10 the story OF cause
and effect The oxygen Of tine atmosphere (the
builder and DESTROYER as Ii is inspired attic Ks
| the diseased parts and burns them away.
The first symptoms of Consumption are cough
at first dry. but afterwards attended by mucous "a
SHINY sui~tance) erpectoration dificult breath
succeeded by more copious expectcratons Of
viscld or pruruient matter. (glutinous. or vel
lOwish white expectOration.) sometimes streaked
| with more or less blood, greater difhculty Of
br ;athing. pain in the side, especially on cough
Ing or taking in full inspiration and inability 20
| lie with equal comfort on both sides The Gina
citation becomes more perceptible, and the pulse,
at first not much affected, becomes full hard and
quick. To these succeed the fiushings and fever
of a remittent character. attended by chiIls and
the deposition of a reddish sediment by the uriny
duct. At no period Is the tongue much altered,
and tho mouth is usually moist The bowels as
have remarked, at first costive constipated,
become at this period habitually relaxed PruflSe
persprations succeed these changes in the SYSTEM
| more particularly during the hours Of repose, at
| tended by extreme debility and rapid eriaciation
or wasting of the flesh and of the mucous and cell
luar tissues. The legs now swell and the patient
sinks, generally retaning the senses and even in
| hope and spirits to the last
have thus rapidly sketcbed the various phases
through which the patient. lal,oring under pulmo-
nary disease, passes There is no malady more
silent and treacherous in its approaches than con-
sumption; and. above all Others il il remarkable
that, at the last moment, when the lamp Of life is
hickerng. the patient is possessed with reliant
belief, which no argument can shake. i'm his eycn-
tual restoration to health and strength Such has
been my experience: and this hope has materially
assisted me in many of my remarkable cures
In no instance have | despaircd Of restoring
those afflicted with consumption or bronchial az
lection to health. Cases have had which no bu-
man agency nor means could benefit. Tampered
with by medical men. their diseases have been
aggravated until nature could no longer sustain
The whole body and compelled to give place TO
deleterious drugs and iDjudicious advice they
have of course died. Even Of this class have
been 50 fortunate rs TO relieve mapy
The surgeon pretends not to replace lost limb.
neither do assume 10 restore windpipe or lung
wasted away by bronchitis or consumption; but
do claim that If there is enough Of either left 10
operate upon, that can in nncty-nine out of eve
ry hundred cases. restore the constructive TO
health.
remain. respectfully, &c,
j. ID. DURkTN, NJ d.,
Physician for the Throat and Lungs OF n. York
Can he consulted at his Office. No 4i7 Pennsyi-
yania avenue, Washington, opposite the United
states Hotel.
No communications answered from patients un-
III They come to the office and undergo a minute
examination, which is necessary in order to give
ample satisfaction.