The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1869-01-09
COnsumntiOn-Its Treatment.

TttEHh is no malady which causes so
large a mortality as consumption. Stats.
tics show that, throughout the civilized
world, an average of one death in six,
every sixth in the lists of mortality, may
be attributed to its agency. Though our
own city shows smaller average from
this scourge, yet it is computed that even
here it is the cause Of one death in every
seven or eight. 1t was formerly consider
ed an iDUurable disease and was often left |
hopelessly to ruin its fatal course uncheck-
ed but modern investigation and science |
have proved that the tubercular deposit,
to which all its dread results may be
traced, win frequently diminish under
suitabletteatme This is further proved |
by most moTtem examinations where death
has occurred from other causes, in which
the lungs, Scared and puckered, attested
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 depends upon their
own efforts An eminent American ply
sician has recently declared that with
proper precautions, by any one now in
health, consumption viii be well nigh an
| imposBlbility, even though hereditary in
Huence may predispose him to it, and that
even those who are already tlndet it's grasp
may have hope of arresting Its rayages.
The plain and simple principle which
in this case is the essence of all-wise treat
ment, is to false the physical system to
the highest possible vigot In company
with this, one Of the best curatiYes and
preventiVes is to expand and strengthen
the lungs themselves by deep inspirations
or breathing in the pure air, These in
spirauons should be made as slowly as
possible through a small tube, OF with the
mouth nearly closed, and with the shoul-
ders thrown back or downwards. When
the lungs or chest are filed, the air should
be as slowly and gradually breathed, out
BY continual practice it will be found easy
to take long inspirations, and the chest it.
self will become permanently expanded,
so as to give the lungs fuller play:
Where strength has begun to decline, OF
course theefforts must be proportionstely
milder. AS the air at first enters the low
er part of the lungs it only fills the apex
after long and sustained effort, and hence
! the necessity of making the inspiration as
slow as possible Six times a day is not
! too much for this exercise. Indeed, the
great advantage of mild or dry climates
to consumptives is the possibility Of pass
: ing SO much Of the time outdoors. Much
! is Justly said Of the pure and bracing aiI
/ of Minnesota, but those who go there FOL
. lung diseases should remember that only
= as they breathe pure outside air can l
: prove beneficial A lady with tuberculai
! deposits and severe cough went there
2 some time since and montl
spent in the ordinary way brought her NJ
improyemement She then Joined
camping-party of ladies and gentlemen
J who started in an open wagon, and slep
, in tents at night. After three days expos
: ure to this open air she maniiestly I'M
y proved, and, though frequently expose
= = in the evening, took no cold. The cor
y tinuance Of this mode OF life restored ne
q health and so strengthened her constitt
y ton that in two months she could slice
u with impunity while the air was BLOWN
y freely across her. Many similar, an
y even more remarkable, instances too
y place among the young men OF our oW
y y army, in the late war, many OF whom e
= y listed against the advice Of their friend
y and returned with greatly improve
Il physical constitutions The exercise thu
. Induced "a most essential to the desire
N end
y y Abundance Of nutritious and Who'll
a a some food, including fatty articles, is {
as sential in the arrest Of consumptio
= Most of those who have such tendenci
10 reject fat meat, but Its place may be su
Z, Z. piled with butter, milk or cream. L
u atriction In diet in these cases Is high
y, Injurious. The dress is also o matt
N y bearing strongly on the health Of t
!, lungs. Woolen fabrics worn next t
y. skin, and warm covering for the extrer
~ ties are all important So also is {
" shape 0f the garment, which shor
y, allow full play to the muscles Rel
~ from care and anxiety, as far as It can
las seouleu'5 T' - liippa'sl' = ''''ues'e'
his .lfdgeT. II