Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-04-14
DR.. Hunter on Pulmonary Consumption.
[Erom the New York Medical Snecialist


l come now to treat of CoNsuMPrIoN-a subject
before which, in importance to science and hu-
mainly, most others sink into insignifcance.
Think for moment, and you will realize the
hurrying along the great thoroughfare-or the
quiet congregation assembled for devotion-one
fourth are under the hand Of this destroyer, des-
tined X not rescued to fill consum ptive,s grave,
With this astounding factdaily and weekly before
our eyes, need add nothing TO enforce the impor-
lance Of whatever promises to diminish this fright
fui mortality. This subject is exciting the most
inteEse interest in London Paris Berlin and ST
Petersburg Hospitals for the special treatment
oil CONSUMPTION are being erected and royalty
endowed, and everywhere | witness a growing
confidence an the durability of this disease.
The great evil which has hitherto existed, and
stil exists In the profession is that there are no
fixed principles regarding either the nature or
treatment OF Consumption. Physicians Of equal
reputation and experience, recommend, at one
and the same period Of the disease med of
the most opposite qualities and each persists in
daily routine, the insufficency of which is sus-
tanned by all experience.
1t may safely be said that the most learned and
experienced in the old routine, have accomplished
no more than temporary pdliiatron: while the TO-
norant and inexperienced have often fastened the
fatal termination by their injudicious ministra-
tons. So pregnant is the very name s.Copsump-
ton" with all that Is terrible to the invalid that
few physicians impres ed with the idea of its in.
curabi ity, have the moral courage 10 inform the
patient OF his danger until longer concealment is
impossible
1t is no unusual thing 10 hear designated as
"mere cold " or "a siight bronchitis" symptoms
which indicate the inception Of a fatal disease of
the lungs. And the very remedies employed
under hundred different Names for the cure of
cough, and forth, IL they have any effect at all
only make the danger by giving Temporary relief:
while the disease itself is becoming more deeply
seated and more certainly fatal in its issue Thus
the poor invalid is deceived to the verge of the
grave; when, becoming alarmed, and importunate
for relief, he is advised t. riSit the country to
take sea royage," or to ego TO a tcarn climate
for a season, and thus his fears are once more
allaYed. If he expectorates blood ssit only comes
from the throat.n If 1t be winter, syou triH be
better an the ensuing spring. Such are the CON-
forts Of the kind hearted physician But, too
often, the 'conntry referred to is that which lies
beyond the grave; and the spring. the season
that cometh not until 'life's ftful fever is overn
That Consumption is incurable by the admin
istration Of medicines in the usual manner, has
been as clearly demonstrated as any fact can be.
Else, why this dreadful mortality, Why the
universal belief that it is beyond the reach Of
medicines? 1t is the commonest thing in the
world to hear aged wisdom pride itself on hold
ing the good cld-fashioned opinion that Soon
sumption can't be cured - IL the physician does
not believe in his power to cure Consumpt
surely it is worse than folly i'm the patient to hope
for cure from his prescr ptions. To do so is to
shut bis eyes to all past experience and blindly
pass on TO an inevitable doom. Even the simple
affections of the nose throat and bronchial tubes
have hitherto ba filed all remedies employed py
the son ach; and if these not durable by such
means, how can you look for cure in a disease
deeply seated, and which has followed this very
failure.
In the discussion of these subjects wish to
place the invalid, as it We're, before me- and to
talk to him in the simple language Of ordinary
conversation. Every Intelligent person, in the
least degree interested-and who is not-in the
subject, should be conversant with the office Of
the lungs, the causes Of diseases in them and the
best means Of their prevention and cure; not for
the purpose of Setf-qnacksTy, which is always
dangerous, but to enable them to avoid the impo-
sitions of empires, which still more danger
Gus All my efforts have been directed to this end
have devoted the experience of years to collect
the facts on which Inhalation Is based and erect
them into system of practice applicable to every
form of the melancholy and complicated maladie
which have their seat in the organs of respiration
And | have now the high satisfaction Of seeing
my labors rewarded by success which encour-
ages me to prosecute my invest cations still fur
ther and to Persevere in the good work.