The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1868-01-30
Pulmonary 0onsumption--By DR.. Price.
CAN CONSUMPTION BE CURED ?

delicate structure, the important Office they
have to perform-in q state of disease and
bleers forming upon them-that the very at
mosphere we inhale contributes most essen
TALLY to increase diseased action upon them
it could not be surprising that this disease
should be considered absolutely incurable.
1t is well established fact that cases are
now on record in which consumption has pos
itiYely been cured in the confirmed and last
stages, as proved By dissection of individuals
who have died of some Other nalady. These
cases are not two or four, but many, and we
refer to any physician for the truth of this
statement. This being the case, does it not
prove, beyond the mere shadow of doubt,
that there may be-nay, there is a cure for
the disease. If one has been cured, why not
another? 1.-two, why not four? and if four,
why not many? The man that says it is in
durable, takes heavy responsibility upon
himself. Before he can make his assertion
free from folly, interest or ignorance, it is
necessary that he become acquainted with
every medical substance upon the face of the
globe and their various effects upon the hui
man system, when administered that he un
derstands infinitely every method by which
disease is engendered, as also the restorative
process to remove such disease that he
knows the chemical character of the urls pro-
ducing and supporting the disease, and that
it has not in the universe of matter its coun-
teracting agent, that he knows the compost
ton and effects of every medicine offered as
remedy, and knows, not from theory or
prejudice, but from positive facts, that the
disease never has been, and never can be
cured.
Had there never been cure recorded in
which the consumptive patient had been re-
stored to health, then we might with some
degree of reason say it has been invariably
mortal but one single cure breaks the fatal
link, and not only shows the possibility of
restoration, but proves that the disease can
be cured. Cures ere also on record where
persons have lived with but one lung, the
other having been destroyed by the disease,
which was prevented from further mischief
by proper remedies; in fact, we can point out
such cases in different parts of the country,
wherein the functions of respiration are per-
formed by one lung, the other having become
dried or useless.
Pulmonary Consump ton is disease OF the
lungs, and the question arises how and why
are they affected and the nature of the affee,
ton. We distinguish two distinct charac-
ters of disease upon the lungs, one producing
what are termed tuberc les, the other open
ulcers. Tubercles are small round substan-
ces which are formed in the air cells OF the
lungs, and are composed of lime, phosphoric
acid and carbonic acid, glued together by mo-
Gus. When they become sufficiently lary ,,
they irritate TIE lungs, producing infama.
ton which terminates in small ulcers, fire
quently covering large portion of the mocus
membrane of the lungs. Sometimes their ac-
emulation go on for years, and the lungs be-
come in measure filled with them, the pa
tient at the same time enjoying tolerable
health. but eventually gradually sinks under
it. The lungs may become diseased and I'LL
cerated without any formation of tuberclcs in
them whatever, and is the most general way
in which lungs become diseased. When from
any cause the blood becomes impure and of
an infamatory character, that organ of the
human body which is the weakest will be
first attacked by the morbid matter with
which the blood is charged. This not unfre-
quently happens to be the lungs, in conse-
quence of the arduous Office allotted to them
to perform in the animal economy, and their
constant exposure to an atmosphere upon
their surface of so variable a character as
ours, differing at least 100 degrees in tempe
nature between summer and winter. The
Venous blood at every pulsatlon of the heart
is thrown to the lungs, where it comes in con-
tact with the atmospheric air inhaled into
the lungs, The oxygen of the atmosphere
then unites with the carbon in the blood,
forming carbonic acid gas, which is constant
ly inholed from the lungs the blood in the
lungs is then changed from venous to arterial
blood. After this change of blood in the
lungs, it is returned back again from the
lungs to the heart.
The above illustration is sufficient to give
the reader an idea of the Office of the lungs,
If, then, the lungs from any cause wha tever,
become weak, what must necessarily be the
effect upon them would not their debility
render them incapable of returning the blood
from them back again to the heart as fast as
the heart threw it to them This conclusion
is inevitable: consequently blood would ac-
cumulate in the blood vessels of the lungs
distending them to larger size, SO that the
lungs become partially gorged with bl ood -
The distention of the blood vessels of the
lungs would irritate them and produce cough.
This irritation would be followed by infama-
ton, which would soon terminate in ulcera-
ton. Much difficulty of breathing would
likewise arise from the enlargement of the
lungs. This character of Disease of the
Lungs is very different from tubercular affec-
tions, and requires treatment of far differ
ent nature which we shall more particularly
describe in our next letter.
Persons observing the gradual progress of
this disease to state past recovery, cannot
but see the Importance of resorting to the
right treatment the very moment thew OH
serve disturbance above the throat or chest.
slight hacking or hemming on first arising
in the morning, or if they have in them by
transmission from parent predisposition to
this disease. It cannot be expected that if
allowed to go on till the organs are disorgan
lied, that cure can be effected. All diseas-
es are soonest cured when Of recent oripin :.
they gain strength by delay.
A long acquaintance with medicine, and
close application OF many years to the history
and operation of diseases of long Standing
have enabled US to treat successfully every
variety of chronic disease
Ihave made my visits regularly for years,
and will be for consultation upon all diseases
OF the lung, throat and heart, nerves, blood,
&C., on my next visit at Kenosha CITY Hotel
during Saturday the 18th of February.
DIR. " CLARENCE PRICE.
In Probate--Kenosha County Court.