The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-05-11

Of he Richmond Dispatch; -Gentlemen: Laen-
nee, the great dlscoverer OF the Stethoscops, in
the course Of his extensive researches into the
patholo:, of the lungs, found that small granular
SUMPTION These bodies s'; are called ta5eris and
since the time OF Laennec. the term consumption
disease of the lungs characterized by their pres
ence. When, therefore. speak of consumption,
cmiar disease. 1 am particular that this should be
understood; tor the changes which these tubercle.
undergo produce the destruction Of the lungs and
the progress OF consumption; while their SEAT
the AIR tubes and cells of the lungs indicates the
treatment necessary for their removal.
by the changes which they undergo. We say con-
rs th.p 1ese%be maj
This tubsrcular matter is secreted from the blood
1t Is not only poured out into the alr-cell and
tubes, but deposited in the delicate structures
which 60 to make up the lungs Whatever inter
duce tubercies. They are always the product Of a
defective performance Of the function of the lungs
Catarrh produces them by inducing and feeding n
in the larynx and wind pipe Is always followed by
bronchitis Bronchitis is always attended by the
secretion Of q rtScid mucous or phlegm, which
blocks up the air tubes. and prevents the admls-
sion of air. The moment the AR is shut of from a
cluster of AIR ells, those cells become the centre
of imperfect Decentralization and sooner later
will become txberculons Here, then, You see
II,
and ending in consumption 1t is not the irritation
that produces the tubercles-for irritation IN any
other organ than the lungs would not be followed
BY their develOpmen t-but it Is the obstruction
which the ciscid mucous causes IN the air-tubes
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 fatal
mistake those MAKE who wait for more serious
symptoms to arise before they begin treatment.
In the second stage Of consumption the tubercles
have become much increased in size. In the first
they of the size of millet seed; they have now
become Ofsiz 80 vary ing from small pea to hibert
They have also unde rgone change in color from
pe0ylgrey to yeiiotc When taken from tho lungs of
persons who have died, and pressed between the
fingers, they break down just like lumps Of old
cheese These cheeSy tKbeycfes, from their size.
increase the obstruction to the lungs, causing
shortness of breath. and, generally, considerable
addition to the cough and expectOratIOn.
In the last stage Of consumption these cheesy
tubercles become softened down INTO pus, and pro-
duce liberation Of the substance of the lungs
When tho process Of alteration commences, we
have all the worst sy mptOms naugurated-hectic
fever-night sweats-seveTe0 Qug
Of yellow matter-spitting OF blood--loss Of flesh
and strength, and pleuritic pains: These. by slow
degrees, wear out the powers Of life, and the pa
tient sinks.
TO which the term Consumption ID applied
In my next letter, shall describe the common
form OF consumption, with which shall for the
present bring this series OF letters to 9 close.
Your Ob't gerv't. ROBT HUNTER, NJ d.
PowHATAN Housx. Richmond, May 18th. 1850.