Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1870-06-15
OE CATARRH IN THE
HEAD.
Part of an Address by C. W. Scott, NJ. D.


disposition, low and enfeebled state of the
system, hereditary of scrofulous faint OF
the blood, or unfavorable circumstances,
runs into chronic Inflammation OF the
mucus or pituitous membrane lining the
nasal cavities, frontal, sinus, posterior
mares, and if neglected, extends down in
to the air.passages and lungs.
The first sensation is usually a feeling
of dryness and heat in the nose or throat
and person will have frequent inclin-
alton to sn.ezing, especially in the morn
ing. 1t is very difficult at times to breathe
through the nose, as it becomes stopped
up; first on one side, and then on the
other 1t is usually attended with mu-
Gus discharge Of variohs character, color
and consistency, sometimes thick and Of
fensive, at others thin and acrid. The
discharge is quite frequent, and continues
to be a marked feature of the disea'e,
and source of much danger and the
greatest annoyance. There is often pain
and heaviness across the forehead and VI
per part of the nose, snee5ing and raising
of mucus from the throat. 1t Is sometimes
20 proflse as to require almost constan'
application of the handkerchief to the
nose, or if it drops in the throat, which 5
generally the case, in lying down or throw
Ing the head back, constant coughing
and sometimes both. 1t is usually worse
in cold and changeable weather, and bet
ter when it Is dry and warm.
Sleep is often disturbed by a sensation
of choking, caused by the accumulation
of mucus in the throat. Owing to thc
heat in the the head, the watery
portion of the discharge evaporates, and
assuming a condition of solidity, is depos-
tied upon the mucus membrane lining, the
nose and upper part of the throat, in the
form of crusts and harder ened Jumps
The liquid that flows from the nostrils
makes the eyes tender, irritatcs the nose
and fills the throat and windpipe causing
coughing, and, if long continued, the con-
sumption. The accumulation of these in
crustatons produces feeling of discom-
fort, aud narrows the passages so as to
embarrass respiration. liberation of the
mucus membrane of the nose sometimes
takes place. The discharge of which at
first is without smell, assumes, as the
dryness advances, an excessively offensive
olor. The breath participates in this,
aud becom's at times so revoltingly Of
fenslve as to render the patient an object
Of disgust to himself and friends.
The. accumulation Of the discharge
combined with the thick ened condition OF
the mucus membrane, renders breathing
through the nose very difficult, and some
times impossible. necessitating respiration
principally through the mouth--a method
very deleterlous to the general health,
but more particularly to the lungs. Of.
tentimes the voice loses its sweet musical
quality, and assumes discordant, harsh.
and nasal character.
In health the glands and membranes of
the head secrete fluid to keep the mouth,
nose and eyes moist.
AS | before remarked, from cold, de-
blity and other causes, it becomes obstruc-
ted, in which case this liquid is secreted
too copiously, and causes pain in the eyes
cough, drowsiness and emaciation, and
from the diseased action of the membrane
the sense Of smell becomes partly or en-
tirely lost, and the same effect, though less
frequent, is produced on the sense of
taste.
Occasionally, while in the act of blow
ing the nose, cracking or bubbling noise
will be distinctly heard in the ear, and
hearing will be found quite thick and sup
pressed, but returns suddenlywith snap
ping sound This is often repeated, until
sometime hearing does not return, and re-
mains permanently injured.
Disturbances ia the the head of every
description will make their appearance
and add to the distress of the sufferer,
and hearing may be lost so gradually
that a considerable degree may exist be-
fore the person is aware of it, The eyes
become weak and irritable, and are Gis
posed to water on exposure to the cold Or
wind.
A pain more or less acute, or a distress
sing feeling of pressure is experienced over
the eyes, and often in the top of the head
and pain in the face nearly resembling
neuralgia, for which it is often mistaken
The distress in the head causes loss Of
memory and irritability and moroseness
Of disposition.
If time the stomarch gives out, becomes
weak and irritable In severe cases there
is loss Of appetite, especially poor in the
The system becomes feeble and
Frustrated. and there is an aversion Or
inability to either mental or physical ex-
crtion.
Not unfrequently catarrh proves fatal,
either by facilitating the system and wear
ing out the patient, or by producing throat
affections, bronchitis, and finally consump-
ton.
1t may be safely asserted that after
hereditary predisposition catarrh is the
frequent and important cause of this fata
The symptoms of catarrh vary consider
ably in different individuals, and the de.
gree of their severity depends upon. con-
stitutional peculiarities and various exter-
nal influences.
With some the complaint continues for
a number of years in mild form, with
out causing any of the injurious results
above mentioned; while in some cases
the worst effects are produced in short
time; aud cases that we think are most.
harmless, may, through imprudent expos
ure, additional cold or untavorable chan
ges of the weather, suddenly exhibit all
q IN ,tinlauaa onl