, 1861-12-12
Dr. Hunter Of NeW York on Chronic
Consumption.

To the Editors Of the Chicago Tribune:

To The Editors Of the Chicago Tribune:
Chronic consumption, or the common form
OF consumption, generally begins with q
slight dry cough. It WAS probably the fire.
qucncy of cough preceding the disease tint
led the ancicnts to believe tint cough was the
t,, eaHse Iather than the effect Of consumption.
lhls cough may continue for several months or
years without any other symptom. 1t is
scarcely cough, but rathera hack Now, the
cause of this slight cough is the presence Of
tnbe1clcs IN the lungs; and if the patient were
to die suddenly Of any other disease, OF from
On injury. VIC should find the lung8 studded OF
filled with fine tuberelcs. It is common, on
examination after death, to find the lungs Of
persons dying Of feTers and inflamnaations.
stuffed with tubercles, and this, too, when in
health tic existence Of consumption had not
even been suspected. Many Of those friends
whom We regard as really healthy, are thus
carrying about in their lungs the elements of
their own destruction.
This form Of consumption begins differently
IL different cases. A man, apparently in per
tcct health, has an attack Of catarrh or sore
throat, and when this subsidies, it leaves the
dry, hacking cough before alluded to. Not
uutrcqucntly splitting Of blood is the first
symptom, and indeed, it almost Invariably
marks the commencement Of the disease; this
may only. be slight streak in the mucus,
or il may be considerable, and Of bright rcd
after "chills and fcycrs," and these occur
almost with the regularity of ague. In others
We baye'a sense Of heat in the palm Of the
bands and soles Of the feet, or 4 flush on the
cheek; cold feet and hands are also frequently
observed. Many persons mistake the fever
and chilEiness which occurs in the early stage
Of consumption for intermittent fever. As the
disease progresses persllratloO5 occur, gene
rally towards morning, and are often so
rrofusc as to drench the sheets and even the
bed.
The stomach is not much disturbed in the
carly stages Of chronic consumption. 1t is by
no means uncommon for the appetite to con-
tinue unusually good until after diaHhoa sets
in, when it generally becomes caprieious and
poor. 1u females, after fever occurs, the
monthly sickness is almost always suppressed.
and it ID common for the cough and disease
N the lungs to be ascrfbcd to this irregularity
while in reality it is only the result depending
upon the debility of the constitution Induced
y tlie disease. After the fever and perspira-
F.. !lon naSe become established, the wasting Of
;nc heen and strength goes on SO rapidly tllat
lne eooF may be truly said to consume away
ihe 31inis soon appear larger than natural,
becomes contracted, the Features sharnencd
md the eyes attain peculiar wildness and
brilliancy
The matter expectoratcd changes with tbc
progress Of the disease. In the commence
:. nent the cough is dry; but after time. a
Tatcry or slightly frothy secretion follows. Al
too disease approaches the second stage, this
gsadu1ly changes to asickly, ielly like, Or glueY
substance, often dark in color, but more com
monty inclined TO- grceaish, with now aud
tncn ktFcek6 OF yellow color,