Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1870-08-04
How Consumption May
be Cured.

be Cured.
The first announcement TO a
patient that he or she has consump
ton, is often like death knell.
The vacant stare, the pale cheek,
and the convulsive sigh, indicate
a shock of the most profound char
acter. Indeed, / have known per-
sons to swoon away and require
the most active exertions to re.
store them. And yet it is not true
that consumption is necessarily a
fatal disease. In point of fact it
IS not so fatal as many cases which
prevail in every community, and
yet excite no remark. Consump.
ton results from a perverted nu.
triton. Instead of that perfect
assimilation essential TO sound
health, there is an elaboration of
the nutritive fluids, which leads
by infiammatory action or other
processes, to the disposition in
the lungs and other tissues of
crude n atefial known as tubercle.
Persons predisposed to consump-
ton, or living under circumstan-
ces which lower the vital en-
ergies and prevent the nutritive
processes, are those in whom this
affection most frequently ap.
pears, 1t follows that there is no
specific for consumption. 1t is not
durable by medicines; on the COLI
trary, It's fatal Issue is more often
FASTENED BY medication.
For the encouragement of pa
tients, and toSlluS,rate the course
of life most likely to restore vigor-
GUS health, a condition incompati-
bic with consumption, / usually
aelate cases that have come under
my observation. The following
is one example among many:
GA young medical friend, hav.
ing hereditary tendency to CON-
sumption, began to realize at first
its well-marked symptoms. 1t
progressed rapidly toward a fatal
termination. The cough, emacia-
ton, and hectic betrayed his con-
dition to the most superficial OBJ
server. Alarmed at this condi-
ton, but dreading to yield to the
conviction of his friends that he
was victim of this disease, he
refused to be examined or even
to talk on the subject. At length
he became SO weak and prostra-
ted that he consented to have his
lungs examined, and on the an
nouncement of the physician that
they contained large cavities, he
tainted, and was rallied with great
difficulty. Aroused TO pitch of
desperation, he determined that
be would not lie down and die,
but would betake himself to out.
door life. He accordingly spent
his entire day on horseback exer-
else, saving wood, boat rowing,
ETC. At night he slept on a hard
bedin an clubhouse through which
the winds had full play. His d.
ct was plain, and but little cook
ed ; his clothing was coarse and
scant. That physician is today
practicing his profession in a New
England town ; he is upwards of
forty-fve years of age, and weighs
about 200 pounds. A finer spec
linen of health is not seen in New
England"
Recovering from the last stage
of consumption is therefore posi-
BILE. The following outline of the
course of life to pursue is given
Live in the open air and sun
shine avoid dampness and dark
ness in your dwelling if possible;
choose a dry mountain region;
develop by vigorous exercise every
muscle in the body to its fullest
capacity; select nourishing and
easily digested food, and be sure.
that it is not overlooked ; dress in
coarse wooden clothing; 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 recommended