Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-02-12
DIR. JAMES HUNTER,
~ OF NEW YORK CITY,
On Chronic Nasal Catarrh and
Ozaena.
q ihs Ediio1s OF lhe National Union:


To the Editors of the National Union:
GENTLEMEN: In proceeding to de
| scription of those diseaaes which are
most frequent and fatal in their effects
upon the health and strength of the
lungs, and therefore the most fruitful
sources of Consumption, | commence
with Nasal Catarrh. In consequence of
the almost fatal apathy of the profession,
this disease has been the remote cause of
consignment to an nntimely grave OF
more victims than the Asiatic cholera;
for it performs as certainly, though more
tardily, after years of mental anguish
and physical suffering, what cholera
accomplished in a few hours.
50 long as the people remain ignorant
of the causes which produce Consump-
ton, and of the symptoms which mark
its first stealthy and insiduOus ap-
proaches, We can not hope that any
timely steps will be adopted for its pre-
vention, or that those who are unhappily
struck by the fatal arrow will be spared
the sufferings and danger arising from
confirmed disease of the lungs. y ao
That this want Of information does
exist among the people cannotbe denied.
However well informed they may be on
politics, government, mechanism and
trade. they are, as rule, compelled to
confess themselves utterly ignorant of
the laws of health, and of the principles
of which prevalent and dangerous dis
eases ought to be combated and removed.
In word, the art of preserving life by
the prevention Of disease is regarded as
entirely secondary to the acquisition of
wealth, and the latter may almost be
said to bound the aspirations Of the pop
ular mind.
Consumption has several stages; it
has a first, or forming stage; a second,
or confirmed stage; and third, or ul-
cerative stage. The lungs do not become
Immediately stuffed with tubercies, or
corroded with foul ulcers 1t is only
after months or years of irritation, or
slow, insidious progress from the slight
Catarrh to the seated Bronchitis, char
acterixed by a little, hacking cough,
slight pain in the chest, occasional
hushes, accelerated pulse, fnrred tongue,
and dyspepsia From Bronchitis to the
first disposition Of a little tubercular
matter in single globule, with more or
less aggravation Of all the previous
symptoms, as the deposits increase in
quantity, supplanting the healthy struc-
ture of the lungs, when softening, or ul-
ceration takes place, fostering and bur-.
rowing among the delicate air.cells,
until the whole Of the diseased lungs be-
come reduced to hopeless mass Of dis
organization, and that malady has
reached its last and fatal stage
The error too widespread among the
people, and too general even among
physicians, TO regard consumption as a
disease, marked not only by cough, but
puruent expectoration, hectic fever,
night-sweats, wasting of flesh, and loss
Of strength; in other words, to apply the
name consumption only TO the last stage
Of the disease. Were it otherwise, we
should not have to listen with feelings of
pity and sorrow to such expressions as,
it is "only a catarrh; :" ''the disease 10
all in the throat or, 1T is only slight
bronchial affection" Alas how few re-
alize the fact that these diseases, unim-
portant as they are generally looked
upon, and consumption, are all links 10
the same chain, and that there are few
who sufe-. from these affections who do
not sooner or latter I'll a consumptive s
grave.
Chronic Nasal Catarrh is generally
the result OF neglected and frequently
repeated attacks Of the acute variety of
this disease, which become practically
known 70 most Of us several times a year
in the shape of cold in the head. "
After longer or shorter time, the La
bilities to attacks Of acute Catarrk be-
come increased, and the patient finds,
after il has passed of, there remains a
discharge Of yellow mucus. This is
chronic Catarrh in its most usual form.
On examining the nostrils with a specu-
lum, or instrument specially adapted to
that purpose, we find its lining mem
brane more or less thickened-redder
than in health, aud often liberated. In
the simplest form, we have merely an
accumulation Of yellow OF straw colored
mucus in the posterior mares, above and
behind the palate, which the patient
hawks out from time 10 time during
/ the day. As the disease advances, little
points Of liberation appear IN the mu-
Gus membrane, upon which the secretion
becomes hardened, forming erusis re-
I curing almost constant picking 20 keep
/ il free; aud as these inspissated masses
of mucus are torn out from the diseased
surface Of the nose, they become irri-
tated, and frequently bleed profusely.
TO BE CONTINUED
JAMES HuSTEE, NJ. d.,
t 2l1 Second St, Memphis
Feb. -, 1867.
NoTE-Dr Hunter visits Memphis
previoas 70 his return to New York city,
At the earnest solicitation Of. numerou'
parties residing in this section Of eoun-
try, and as bis stay is limited, those who
desire to consult him should do so al
once, and secnrs the advantages Of hii