Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1869-01-15
From the Phfladelphia Ledger.
Arrest of Consumptlon.

There is no nalady which causes so
large a mortality as consumption. Sta
tistics show that, throughou6 the civil
lied 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 smaller
average from this scourge, yet 10 is eonn-
puted that even here-it is the cause of
one death in every seven or eight. 1t
was formerly considered an incurable
disease, and was often lett -hopelessly to
run its fatal course unchecked; but
modern investigation and scienOe has
proved that the tubercular deposit, to
which all its dread results may be
traced, will frequently di diminish under
suitable treatment. This Is further
proved by post morte N examtnations,
where death has occurred from other
causes, in which the lungs, SCARED and
puckered, attested the closing OF two
and even three large tubercuiar cavi-
ties. Few are aware how much the
prevention and even cure of this arsed
disease depends upon their own Efforts.
An eminent American physician has
recently declared that, with proper pre-
cautions by any one now IN health5
consumption viii be well nigh an inn
possibility, even though hereditary in-
duenees may predispose him TO it. and
even those who are already under It's
grasp, may have hope OF arresbing It's
ravages. The plain and simple princi-
pie, which in this case is the essence Of
all-wise treatment, is to raise the phys
ical system to the highest possible vig-
or. In company with this one Of the
best curatives and preventives is to ex-
pand 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 drawn
| bark and downward. When the lungs
OF -&est are filled, the air should be as
slowly and gradually breathed out. By
/ continual practice il will be found easy
to take long aud deep Inspirations, and
/ the chest itself viii become permanent
/ " expanded, so as to give the lungs
! fuller play. Where strength has begun
/ to decline, ofcourse the efforts must be
| proportionably milder. AS the air a.
I first enters the lower part of the lungs
! it only fills the apex after a long and
sustained effort, and hence, the necessi-
/ ty of making the inspiration as slow as
possible. Six times q day in the open
/ air is not too much for this exercise.
/ indeed, the great advantage of mild or
/ dry climates to cOnsumpttves is the pos
sibility OF passing so much time out OF
doors. Much is justly said of the pure
| and bracing air of Minnesota, but those
/ who 20 there for lung diseases must res
/ member that only as they breathe the
L pure OuLAlue ar 4aDlkuAAAg Ghu II BA1Fo
/ beneficial. A lady with tubercular de-
4 pcsits and severe cough went there
/ some time since, and month spent Ia
i the ordinary way brought her no inn
| proVement, She then Joined camping
party of ladies and gentlemen, who
started in an open wagon and slept IN
| tents at night. After three days of eN-
posure to this open air she manifestlY
/ improved, and, though frequently exc
/ posed Ia the evening, took q Q cold. The
i Iconttnmance ofht1is nnpde OF life restored
her health, and SO strengthened her
constitution that in two months she
could sleep with impunity while the
air was blowing freely across her,
| Many similar and even more retnRrlka-
I BILE Instances took place among the
young men OF our army in the late war
many Of whom enlisted against the ad-
vice of their friends, and returned with
greatly improved physical constitu-
tions. The exercise thus Induced is
most essential TO the desired end.
Abundance of nutritious and whole
some food, including fatty articles, is
essential la the arrest Of consumption,
Most OF those who have such Tendencies
reject fac meat, but It's place may be
supplied with butter-nailk or cream.
Restriction IN diet in these cases is
highly Injurious. The dress Is also e
matter bearing strongly on the health
Ok the lungs. Woolen fabrics worn
next the skin, and warm covering loE
the extremities arc all Important. Ga
false ~ fhe shape Of the Rarnent, whlch