The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-01-17
Arrest of Consumption.
LFrom ths PhIIadeIphla Leager.l

From the Philadelphia Ledger.l
There is no mslady which causes so large a
mortality as consumption. Statistics show that,
throughout the civilized world, an average OF one
death in six, every six in the lists Of mortality may
be attributed to its agency. Though our own city
shows a smaller average from this scourge, yetit
il computed that even here it Is the cause OF one
death in every seven or eight II was formerly
considered an incurable disease. and was often
left bopeessly to run its fatal course unchecked
but modern investigation and science have proved
that the tubercuar deposit, to which all its dread
results may be traced, will frequently diminish IN
Ger suitable treatment. This Is further proved by
post norton examinations, where death has occur
red from other causes, in which the lungs, scar
red and puckered, attested the healthy closing OF
two and even three large i1bercular cavities.
Few are aware how much the prevention aud even
cure of this dread disease depends upon their own
efforts. An eminent American physician has re-
Gently declared that, with proper precautions, by
any one now in health, consumption Will be well
nigh an impossibility, even though hereditary In.
fluences may predispose him to IT, and that even
those who are already under its grasp may have
hope Of arresting its rayages. The plain and sim.
pie principle, which In this case is the essence OF
all wise treatment, is TO raise the physical system
10 the highest possible vgor. IN company with
this, one of the best curatves AMI preventives is
TO expand and strengthen the lungs themselves By
deep inspirations or breathing IN OF pure air.
These inspirations should be made as slowly as
possible through a small tube. or with the mouth
nearly closed, and with the shoulders thrown
back and downward. When the langs or chest are
filed, the air should be as slowly and gradually
breathed out. By continual practice 1t will be
found easy to take long and deep inspirations,
and the chest itself will become permanently ex.
pended, SO as to give the lungs fuller play.
Where strength has begun to decline, OF
course the efforts must be proportion
ably milder. AS the air at first enters the lower
part Of the lungs II only fills the apex after long
and sustained effort. and hence the necessity of
making the inspiration as slow az possible. Six
A.. L.. e.
exercise. Indeed, the great advantage Of mild
or dry climate TO consumptves 10 the possibility OF
passing so much Of the time out Of doors. Much
Is justly said Of the pure and bracing air Of MIN
pesots, but those who 60 there for lung diseases
should remember that only 90 they breathe the
pure outside air habtually CAN'T prove beneficial.
A lady with tubercular deposits and severe cough
went there some time since, aud month spent in
the ordinary way brought her no improvement
She then Joined q camping party of ladies' and
gentlemen, who started In an open wagon, aud
slept 10 tents at night. After three days expo
sure 10 this open air she maniestly improved. aud
though frequently exposed In the evening, took
no cold. The continuance of this mode of life re-
stored her health, and so efectually strength.
ened her constitution that 10 two months she
could sleep with IMMUNITY while the air was blow
ing freely across her. Many similar, and even
more remarkable instances took place among the
young men of our army during the late war,
many Of whom enlisted against the advice of their
friends, and returned with greatly improved phys
zeal constitutions. The exercise thus induced Is
most essential to the desired end
Abundance Of nutritious and wholesome food,
including fatty articles is essential In the arrest OF
Consumption. Most OF those who have such ten
der cies reject fat meat bat its place may be sup.
piled with butter milk and cream. Restriction In
diet in these cases is highly iDjurious. The dress
is also matter bearing strongly on the health Of
the lungs. Wooden fabrics worn next the skin,
and warm covering for the extremties, are sll
important. So also Ia the shape Of the garment,
which should allow full play for the muscles. Re-
lief from care and anxiety. far IL cap be Sc
cured, 10 important but even where this u impos-
sibIe. attention to the other requisites 90 simple
~ 70 be within the power of every intelligent
person. viii In many cases prevent end y most
iDcipient cases arrest the pFcgress Of this most
distressing Of all maladies. ~ E