The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-01-10
THEORY or MEDICATED INHALGrION.
DRs. HUNTER AND RAMSAY.
SYMPTOMS OF CONSUMPTION.
(Continued)

are ''dfy hacking cough sense of "ShoTtness Of
breath on eDe1tion," and Increased frequency Of
he pulse" Another symptom which should
lead us to suspect the health of the lungs is
pain During the course of the disease, 1t is
unusually present in some degree; but varies
very much in intensity. 1t may be the first in
dication of tubercles in the lungs, or not appear
until after liberation has taken place. In one
case, il is sharp stitch in the side; in another,
a dull aching under the breast bone; in a third,
a sense of burning; while in a fourth we have
only feeling of 0reigm and oppression. Its seat
too, is often distant from the part of the lung
affected. 1t may be in the oppotte side of the
chest, or loD do,on IN the side whereas tuber-
cles are always deposited at the top Of The lung
Sometimes we find the pain Immediately over the
part affected, but this is not usual. At times, the
pain has very much of rheumatic character;
and at others resembles neuralgia. From this,
it will be understood that pain is very unre
liable symptom. II is no proof that the lungs
are sound, that the patient has never experienced
any pain; since more than onettird of those
laboring under this disease never have the least
indication of it. The lungs, as a rule, do not
manifest injury by pain even acute INFLAMMATION
is very rarely attended by any suffering. II
there is pain, soreness aching, 1oeig, or oppreS
sion, however, it should be regarded as suspi
cious circumstance, and the lungs imme 4ately
"so,tndedn 10 discover its cause Wen con-
siderable disease exists in one lHsg patients
sometimes find it uncomfortable TO lie on that
side and the sense Of discomfort produced by
doing so is the only inconvenience they expe-
rience.
The 'Losing little flesh" is often an early
symptom of consumption. 1t takes place in
many cases, even though the appetite remains
good and the food is abundant and nutritious.
When patient grows thinner, without any ap-
preciable reason, the lungs should always be
suspected as the cause. The same is true of those
who rapidly gain flesh, and then as suddenly lose
ii. These changes merely indicate the changes
takingIplace in the lungs. Still we do not always
find apparent loss OF flesh in the first stage of
tuberces. In young women, in particular, we
very often find the lungs seriously affected
while they still retain their coora and plumpness.
But, as a rule, if we reduce the matter to GER
tainty, by weighing, we shall find few pounds
of difference between their present and former
weight. If, with the loss of weight, there is a
disposition to sigh, dark dtScOordtiOn beIolo the
eyes, and qaickeneG pulse, with some heat in the
hdn0S, set it down as almost certain that the
lungs are affected. Still we have, in a few in
stances, known persons to gain flesh, during the
whole of the first and second stages of consump.
tive disease, and that, too, where the tubercles
were rapidly undergoing changes which, if not
arrested, must soon have ended fatally. Strong
nourishment will sometimes improve the weight
ofpersons, who are hopelessly affected, though
the increase in weight exerts no beneficial in
fuenee on the disease ITSELF
The irritation produced by tubercles, even in
the first stage, will sometimes give rise to sense
of cti1iness followed by slight teuer, in the after
part Of the day, and perspiration towards morn
ing; but we do not generally have hectic feUer
and night s,1eats until after the tuberces begin 10
soften. AS q rule, when the third stage COM
mences, the patient feels chilly, as evening
approaches. "Atter he gets into bed he dis
covers that his hands and feet burn, or feel hot
and towards morning he perSpires." For time
the perspiration is slight; but as the disease ad
vances, often becomes so profuse as to drench
the bed. About one in every ten escape might
S,uedtS altogether, while fully too out of every
three escape them, until after the sofiening of the
tuberCieS commences.
In young females irregularities almost always
occur sooner or later, and often this is the frs
and only euidence they have of disease. We ex-
anime the lungs, and are surprised to find them
the seat of military tubercles. Too frequently,
in such cases. strong medicines are given to re-
store the suspended function, and the careless
physician only discovers his cruel mistake when
his administrations have aggravated the pull
monary disease. The tubercles are then attri-
buted to the suppression, when in reality they
Tbo nh DO,
exists, the proper course for patient is to sub
nit the lungs to a careful examination by o
physician specially skilled in pulmonary cases.
1t would be too much to expect the medical
attendant to confess an error of diagnosis, and
yet few are so learned and experienced that
they do not make many mistakes in the
early stage of obscure cases, and in distinguish.
ing between purlaent bronchitis and tuberculous
liberation Of the lungs Much of the mortality
caused by consumption results from the hesi.
tatlon and delayin adopting a proper treatGaeu
in the early stage. And this evil will continue so
long as the medical men resist the division OF
medical practice into speciufes. 1t is only bs
deuOting exclusive attention 10 class of diseases
so intricate and important as those of the lungs
that the physician can acquire the experience es
se7ltiol 10 correct diagnosis and successful treat
ment. We mean no disparagement Of oar pro
fessiondI brethren oohen zoe sag that the genera
practitioner, hotoeuer skftd, has neither time MOI
sufficient opportunities to become good stethosCo
pist, and yet, while he continues to treat con
sumption the liues of his patients hang upon hi
skiRin this respect. The remedies employed de
pend on the stage and form of the disease, ant
no physician can successfully treat paten
while he is in doubt and uncertainty as to tn