, 1861-12-13
DR.. Hunter, of New York, on Gn1lop.
Ing and Latent Consumption.


Ga11oping consumption is the second form
Of tubcrcular disease Of the lungs, Of which
shall now speak, popularity and exprcssively
so called from the fearful rapidity Of its pro-
grcss.
1t is no unfrequcnt thing for persons in ap-
within six weeks, from this form Of consump-
ton. It almost always begins with 4 cold,
which sets III with great violence, and from
the first is felt to be deep within the chest.
There is usually some cough, fever and night
ewc;ts from the beginning. There is also
oppression in the chest. At the end of d week,
expectoration commences, md the 1natter dis
charged resembles more that Of a recent cold
than Of consumption.
There are few symptoms by which the dis
ease can be distinguished from low form Of
these diseases are often mistaken for one an
other, and ma1treated. There is, in fact,
nothing about this affection like common con-
sumption, since, on examining the lungs after
DEATH VIC find the whole internal surface Of
the air tubes, the air cells, and even the sub
tubcrclee.
Another form Of this disease occurs In young
and de1icatc persons; those having habitually
cold hands and feet; whose circulation is fee
ble; who arc strongly prcdisposed to con-
sumption, and who, even in health, become
In such case tho destroyer steals Silently upon
his victim, The patient scarcely feels i'll
there is but little cough, no pain, no splitting
Of blood, often no cxpectoration. As they
were always short-brcathed and liable to colds,
any cough that may exist is attributed to a
''1ittle fresh co1d,'' Us it is called Gradually
| the countenance becomes pale, the lips Of /
| BLUSH color, and the whole features sunkcn.
| Under these circumstances, without any In
crease or expeetoration, diarrhoa occurs, and
after few exhausting discharges the patients
die without struggle, sitting up in a CHAIR,
ori in f,inting fit, from which their friends
| strive in win to restore them.
| Latent consumption is another form Of this
| disease more insidious in it's advances than
either Of those already described 1t is called
the lungs long time without manifesting
| many Of their usIal symptoms. There is no
cough. no expectoration, no splitting of blood.
Most frequently there are no symptoms that
point to the lungs, but few that Indicate de-
| Eangcnent Of the general health. But there
is something in the countcnance which is readi
y detected by the practiced eye Of the physi
| clan, and which is entirely overlooked by the
nearest friends. The patient Is evidently oui
Of health and failing, but since he never com
| has rarely IN opportunity TO-. inrestigat,
the case until the disease is firmly estab
Gshed. The. Sufferer goes on feeling weak an6
dcspouding, perhaps becoming thinner, ant
has little energy OF mind, but still remains Is
norant Of the true cause Of mischief. Il,
consults any number Of 'doctors," and get
the most opposite opinions. Some treat th'
case very lightly. and promise q speed,
cure. Others advise change of air, ant
| quiet One says that it Is all stomach
another that the liver is out Of order
He tries the. prescriptions Of each il
turn-thc regular homeopath, and the water
cure-but finds he gets no better. And get b
cannot sec why he docs not get well. Nor d.
any Of the physicians enlighten him. Those VII
know the least about his disease promise th
most, but accomplish nothing. Those wh
have discovered the true state Of the lung
do not reveal their knowledge, because the
do not wish to alarm where they kno" Of n
| remedy.
In e1c1, case, If we carefully examine th
state Of the lungs, VIC find dullncss in the NJ
per part Of one lung or both, generally belo'
: the collar-honc. This dullncs5 is oecasionc
by tubeEc1es. f. at this stage, the phJ5icia
| | IN attendance fails to discover the real cond
ton Of the lungs, and to adopt proper mea1
to arrest the progress Of the disease, the p
: | ticnt is inevitably lost. This kind OF col
sumption is far more common than fs Sui
posed but Whon tudiciously treated, Is Il
moat curablc Of al.
T Speaking of the frequency Of this form
the disease, Laennec remarks "Wo may, 1