The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-08-09
Treatment of Lung Complaints.

man, ESQ. III treats ot q SUBJECT OF great IN
terest to large class OF our readers:
Treatment Of Lung Complaints.
Consumption is the great scourgc of our
rugged eastern climate. This, in its ordin-
ary acceptatiOn,is simply diseased condition
of the lungs, induced by various causes, re-
yealcd by various symptoms, all Of them
viewed with alarm-and justly so-in any
household where they show themselves. Per-
haps no disease has moro engaged tho atten.
ton Of physicians perhaps none has caused
them more solicitude, and none, Surely, has
more successfully succeeded in battling their
best skill and most searching Investigations
in relation to its proper treatment. Why
consumption is 50 terribleis, that the impress
sion generally prevails that, once seated, it
is perfectly incurable 50 that, when person
once feels sure that he is victim Of this
scourge. death is looked upon as inevitable,
the light of hope is extinguished, and this
best friend ofsuiloring, desponding human
ity ceases to buoy up tho sinking heart, and
to aid kind nature in its Efforts to throw or
its supposed mortal enemy.
The theories in relation to the proper treat
ment Of pulmonary consumption, or diseased
lungs, are as various as the forms and types
Of the disease itself. Our object in this brief
article is not to display any assumed knowl-
edge of our own in relation to this subject,
but simply to give the reader us clear an idea
as We can of one theory which has its learned
advocates in London and Paris, and which is
beginning to attract much attention in this
country. The theory referred to comes for
ward backed by an array Of reasoning and
physiological facts which favorably impress
the mind, and which should secure for II
thorough investigation Of its claims, upon
the consideration of intelligent men. The
theory Of cure is based on certain facts, and it
is alleged that these admitted facts, plainly
indicate tho general direction from which
relief and cure must come, IL they come at
oil.
The lungs, it is said, are subordinate to the
general law Of the animal economy. Legiti-
mate exercise is all essential to their healthy
smt'. As the hand and arm which are well
used and perform vigorous exercise become
nerved with well developed muscles, and be-
como cnfoebled and shrink away from long
neglect Of exercise, 30 tho lungs. by their
proper exercise, become strong, well develop
ed and healthy, while neglect Of such ex-
crcise tends to eniecble them, to stop tho in.
ducing to their several parts Of the needful
nutriment on which they thrive, and thus to
induce disease. The lungs are respiratory
organs. Their Office is to inspire and respire
air-to takein the fresh pure air as prepared
in natures great laboratory and after this air
has impaired its oxygen to the blood, to
throw 1t of charged with carbonic acid gas
which it has taken up from tho venous blood
the current Of blood thus purified going out
from the hcart-a great living, seli.acting
force pump-through the arteries into all the
parts Of the system, like mcandcring stream
imparting richness, life, vigor, yerdure, and
bloom of health, and returning through the
veins, like muddy stream, hearing with il
the refuse, morbid, diseased and cast of mat
ter which is thrown in all along its way to
discharge its load and undergo again the
process it is not needful that We attempt to
explain the modus operandi in which the
lungs act to perform their functions; We only
give the facts, that by taking in large quan.
Titles of pure air they are enabled to purify
blood, and to preserve the healthy condition
Of the system-other organs, of course, not
being neglected, but performing their appro-
pirate functions towards securing u harmon
ious and therefore healthy condition Of the
system.
We will not stop to show the necessity of
pure air and enough of it, to enable thelungs
thus to act. Nor will We show how disease,
or the inducing cause oft. Of necessity turks
in the dark bedrooms from which heavens
sunshine Is excluded bedroom over vaults,
sink.spouts and damp cellars; how it turks
in stiyed, unyentilated rooms, and in crowd
ed sleeping apartments, crowded and badly
ventilated halls, where 80 many sets oflungs
are throwing of poisonous gases, and yet are
unable to drink in full inspirations Of pure
dir. All these considerations we pass.
To keep the lungs healthy they should have
fM and free play. Compression ties up a
portion Of their volume, and lessons their ac-
tivity. Short breathing, with tho body in u
bent or unnatural posture, only allows action
to the upper portion Of the lungs, while the
lower portion is inactive, and like any other
inactive organ loses its vigor, and ceases to
have that full flow of arterial blood need.
ful to. supply it with life, while the check
upon the aow Of yenous blood prevents the
morbid matter from being carried Of. and
the result is soon manifested in the form Of
diseasc-tubercales, perhaps, or liberation Of
the lungs.
Now the new theorists take hold Of this
fact. They say that IL lack Of FREQ. full,
deep inspiration induces or invites disease,
that disease cannot well be dislodged and ex'
pelled while the short and imperfect breath
ing, which has induced it, Is continued
The cause Of the disease must frrt be remoc-
ed, and to do this the deep and full rcspira-
tion must be restored. Howsball this bc done
when confirmed habit obstinately refuses to
draw long breath? On this wise: Let