The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1869-03-12
Arrest of Consumption.

Ihere Is no mAlauy winch causes 80
large n mortality as consumption. Sta
tistics show that, throughout the ctvili-
Zed world, an average OF one death in
six, every six in the lists of mortality,
may be attributed to its agency. Though
our own town shows a smaller average
from this scourage, yet it is computed
that even here it is the cause of one
death in every ten. 1t was formerly
considered an incurable disease, and
was often left hopelessly to run its fatal
course unchecked; but modern investi-
CATION and science have proved that
the tubercular deposit. to which all its
dread results may be traced, will fire.
quently diminish under suitable treat
ment. This Is further proved by post
mortem examinations, where death has
occurred from other causes, in which
the lungs, SCARED and puckered, attest
cd the healthy closing of two and even
three large tubercular cavities. Few
are aware how much the prevention
and even cure of this dread disease de-
ponds upon their own effort.
An eminent American citizen has
precautions by any one now in health,
consumption will be we'll nigh an i'm
possibility, 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 it's
ravages. The plain simple principle,
which in this case Ia the essence OF all
wise treatment, is to raise the physical
system to the highest possible Vigor. In
company with this one of the best cura~
tives and representatives. is to expand
and strengthen the lungs by deep in
SEPARATIONS Nof breathing in pure air.
Those inspirations should be made as
slowly az possible through a small tube
or with the mouth nearly closed, and
with the shoulders thrown back and
downward. When lungs or chest is fill
ed, the air should be as slowly and
gradually breathed out.
BY continual practice it will be found
easy to take long and deep inspira-
lions, and the chest itself will become
permanently expanded, SO as TO give
the lungs fuller play. Where strength
has begun to decline, the efforts must
be proportionally milder. AS the air at
first enters the lower part of the lungs
it only fills the apex after long and
sustained effort, and hence the necess
ity of making the inspiration as slow
as possible. Six times day is not too
much for this exercise. Indeed the
great advantage OF mild or dry climate
to cOnsumptiVes is the possibility OF
passing so much of the time out OF
doors. Much Is justly said of the pure
and bracing air of Minnesota, but those
who go there for lung diseases should
remember that only as they breathe
the pure outside air habitually can 1t
prove beneficial.
a lady with tubercnlar deposits and
severe cough went there some time
since, and a month spent in the ordi-
nary way brought her no improves
ment. She then Joined camping par>
ty OF ladies and gentlemen, who start
ed In an open wagon, and slept in tents
at night. After three days exposure to
this open air she manifestly improved,
and, though frequently exposed in the
evening, took no cold. The continu-
ance of this mode OF life restored her
health and so strengthened her consti-
tuition that in two months she could
sleep with impunity while the air was
blowing freely across her. Many SINH
lar, and even more remarkable in
stances took place among the young
men of our army in the late war, many
of whom enlisted against the advice Of
their friends, and returned with greatly
improved physical constitutions. The
exercise thus induced is most essential
TO the desired end.
Abundance of nutritious and whole
some food, including fatty articles, is
essential in the arrest of consumption.
Most of those who have such tenden-
cies reject fat meat, but its place may
he supplied with butter, milk or cream.
Restriction in diet in these cases is
highly injurious. The dress is also a
matter bearing ssrongly on the health
of the lungs. Wooden fabrics worn
next to the skin, and warm covering
for the extremities are all-important.
So also is the shape OF the garment,
which should allow full play to the
muscles. Relief from care and ankle
ty, as far as it can be secured, is impor-
tant. but even where this is impossible,
attention to the other requisites, SO sim
pie as to be within the power of every
intelligent person, will in many cases
prevent, and in most incipient cases
arrest, the progress of this most dis
frnSainor ~ oil oil