The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-07-14
How Consumption May be Cured.

The first announcement to a patient that
he or sue has consumption, is often like
death knell. The vacant stare, the pale
c1eef, and the conyulsive sigh, indicate
snock OF the most profound character.
indeed, nave known persons to swOOn
away and require the most active eXer
tons to restore them. And yet it is not
true that consumption is necessarily IA
til disease. In point of fact it is not so
fatal as many cases which prevail in every
community, and yet excite no remark
Consumption results from perverted
nutrition. Instead of that perfect assm-
iiation essential to sound health, there is
an elaboration OF the nutritive fluids,
w3ich leads by intlammatory action or
other processes, to the disposition in the
lungs and other tissues of crude material
known as tubercle. Persons predisposed
to consumption, or living under circum-
stances which lower the vital energies and
prevent the nutritive processes are those
in whom this affection most frequently
appears. ii follows that there is no spe-
ciflc for consumption. 1t is not durable
by medicines; on the contrary, its fatal
Issue is more often fastened by medica-
ton.
For the encouragement of patients, and
to illustrate the course of life most likely
to restore vigorous health, condition in
compatible with consumption, | usually
relate cases that have come under my OBJ
servation. The following is enc example
among many:
" 4 young medical friend, having a
hereditary tendency to consumption, be
gan to realize at first its wellmarked
symptoms. 1t progressed rapidly toward
2 fatal termination. The cough, emacia
lion, and hectic betrayed his condition to
the most superficial observer. Alarmed
ut this condition, but dreading to yield to
the conviction of his friends that be was q
victim OF this disease, he refused to be eX
amined or even to talk on the subject. At
length he became so weak and Frustrated
that he consented TO have his lungs cX
anined, and on the announcement of the
physician that they contained large cavi-
ties, he tainted, and was rallied with great
difficulty. Aroused to pitch of despera.
ton, he determined that he would not lie
down and die, cut would hetakc himself
to outdoor lie. He accordingly spent his
entire day on horseback exercise, saving
wood, boat rowing, etc. At night ne
slept on hard bed in an clubhouse
through which the winds had full play.
Aii1 N4tCt Nf'H l''hAtb dil Dib libtiC COohth
his clothing was coarse and scant. That
physician Is to-day practicing his profess
sion in a New England town; be is up
wards of fortyiive years of age, and
weighs about 200 pounds. A finer speci-
men of health is not seen in New Eng
land"
Recovering from the last stage of con-
sumption is therefore possible. The fol-
lowing outline OF the course of life TO pur-
sue IS given:
Live in the open air and sunshine !;
avoid dampness and darkness in your
dwelling if possible; choose dry noun
tain region; develop by vigorous exercise
every muscle in the body to its fullest Ca
paciiy select nourishing and easily di-
gested food, and be sure that it is not
overlooked; dress in coarse wooden cloth
ing; battle for cleanliness and comfort;
never forcibly distend the lungs, but in
crease their capacity by exercise; and,
finally, take no medicines except as aid or
additional to the course OF life recon-
mended. -Bmlnea Physician, IN HeaTM
and Home