Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-05-16
10 the EHtors Of the Wing

| To Tie EiitOrS Of the Wing
Dr.. HCNrER oN CoNsUNPuoN--GeHt'slaeH. Lacnnec
the great dscoyerer OF the StebOscope, in the Of
his extensive researches into the pathology OF the lungs
found that small granular bodies Arrays exist in the
lungs in genuine consumption. These bodies are called
tajrceS: and since the time Of Laennec, the term
sumption has been restricted and understood to apply to
disease the lungs, characterized by their presence
When, therefore 1 speak of consumption, / mean not
ouy disease Of the lungs but tjercuqr disease. am
particular that this should be UNDERSTOOD for the change,
which these tubeTces undergo produce the destruction
OF the lungs and all that melancholy train of symptoms
which mark the progress Of consumption; while their
srlr-he air tubes aud cells Of the ungs-indcates the
treatment necessary for their removal.
The ubercles regulate the OF the disease by the
changes which they undergo. We say consumption is
I'm the first stage when the berces small spccks
points OF greysh coor-haf transparent In this
dOn they resemble millet seed, and hence called
atiary tJsrcieS. This tubercular is secreed
from the blood. Il is only poured into the air
cells aud ON the free surface OF the lining OF the
airubes but deposited in the delicate structures which
20 10 make up the lungs. Whatever iuterleres with de-
c1rj2ui-ltio OF the blood will produce ubercles They
are always the product OF defective performance Ofhe
function OF the lungs. Catarrh produces them by in
ducug and feeding irritation IN the llrynN and wind
pipe Irritation the lsrynx and wind.pipe is always
followed by bronchitis. Bronchitis is always attended, by
the secretion of uiScid mucous phlegm which blocks
up the ar-tube and prevents the admission of air The
moment the air is shut of from cluster OF air-cel those
cells become the OF mpcrtec; Decentralization and
sooner or later will become tsberrg}ow. Here, then,
YOU see a chain Of irritation beginning in a simple
t1rrh and ending in consumption. Il is not the irrta
ton that produces the tubercleS-!or irritation in
other organ than the lungs would be followed by
their dcvcOpmynt-but Is the obstruction which the
vscid BuicJp causes in the ar;ubcs The hawking up
OF this sticky kind of mucous may be the only symptom
OF consumption in the first stage. From this YOU will
understand what a fatal mistake those make who wait
for more symptoms to arise before they begin
treatment.
Ia the second stage of consumption the tuberces have
become much increased in size. In the first they
OF the SIZE of mhlet-seed they have become Of
Sues varying from small pea to iilbert They have
also underground change in coor-irOm pearlgrcy TO
ltllor When taken from the lungs Of persons who
have died. and pressed between the fingers they break
down just like Jumps OF old cheese These cbessy tu-
rcleS from their size increase the obstruction the
lungs causing shorness of breath aud generally
siderable addition 70 the cough and eXpectoraton.
In the last stage Of consumption these tubercles be-
come soiteued down into pus, and produce liberation
OF the substance Of the lungs. When the process Of u
ceration commences have all the worst symptoms in
Syurated-hectc fever-night sweats-severe cough
expect )raons of yellow materspitting blood-los OF
flesh and strength and pleuric pains These by slow
degrees out the powers of life and the patient
sinks.
Here, then, you have outline Of that disease to
which the term Consumption is applied
In my next letter. shall describe the common form of
consumption with which shall for the present bring
this series OF letters to a close.
Your obi sery't ROBT HUNTER, NJ. D.
PowHATAN House. Richmond, May, 18th, 1860