The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-09-27
How Consumption may be Cured. :

btO" consumption ilaSt3 os SteFtV. :
From the Notebook of an Eminent Physician, In
Hearth and Home.
September 5H.--Thc first announcement
To Il patient that he or she has consumption
il often like 4 dcath-kncll. The vacant
stare, the pale check, and the convulSiye
sigh, indicate shock Of the most profound
character. Indeed, | have known persons
to swoon away, and require the most active
cXcrtions to restore them. And yet it is
not true that consumption is necessarily Il
fatal disease. In point of fact. it is not as
fatal rs many diseases which prevail in
every community, and yet cXci:" no re-
mark. Consumption results from per-
rertcd nutrition. Instead Of that perfect
assimilation essential to sound health there
is an imperfect elaboration of the nutritivc
fluids, which leads, by inil;mmatory action
OF other processes, to the deposition in the
lungs and other tissues Of crude material
known as tubcrclc. Persons prcdispoScd to
consumption, or living under circumstances
which lower the vital energies and prevent
the. nutritive process, are those in whom
this affection most frequently appears. 1t
follows that there is no specific for con-
sumption. 1t is not durable by medicines
on the contrary, its fatal issue is more often
fastened by medication.
For the encouragement of patients, and
TO illustrate the course OF life most likely to
restore vigorous health, "a condition incom-
patibe with consumption.) usually relate
cases that have come under my observation.
The following is one example among many:
"A young medical friend, having an he
rCdtary tendency to consumption, began to
realize its first well-markcd symptoms. Ii
progressed rapidly toward fatal termna-
ton. The cough, cmaciation, and hectic,
betrayed his condition to the most superb
cial observer. Alarmed at his condition,
hut dreading to yield to the conviction of
his friends that he was Il victim Of this
disease. he refused to he examined, or
even to talk on the subject. At length
he became so weak and proStTlted that
Ii, consented to have his lungs examined.
and on the announcement of the physician
that they contained large cavities he faint
ed and was rallied with great difficulty.
Aroused to Il pitch OF desperation, he deter
mined that he would not lie down and die.
hut would betakc himself TO outdoor life.
lie accordingly spent his entire day i'll horse
back exercise, saving wood, boat-rowin@,
etc. At night he slept on hard bed III an
clubhouse, through which the winds had
full play. His diet was plain and but little
That physician is to-day practicing his pro-
tession in New England town. lie is
upward Of forty-five years Of age, and
weighs about two hundred pounds. \ finer
specimen of health is not seen il New Eng
land.'
Recovery from the latest stage Of con-
sumption is therefore possible. The follow
ing outline of the course Of life to pursue is
given
Live in the open air and sunshine avoid
dampness and darkness in your dwelling
if possible, choose dry mountain region
develop by vigorous exercise every muscle
in fine bo1y Ia IFS fullest canacity. select
nourishing and caSily-digested food, and be
sure that it is not overlooked; dress in
coarse woollen clothing; battle for cleanli-
ness and comfort never forcibly distend
the lungs, but increase their capacity by eX-
ercise and, finally, take no medicines en-
cept rs aids or additions to the course Of
life recommended.