Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1870-07-15
How Consumption May be Cured.

The first announcement to patient that
he or she has consumption, is often like
death knell. The vacant stare, the pale
cheek, and the convulsive sigh, indicate q
shock of the most profound character.
Indeed, have known persons to swoon
away and require the most active exer
tions to restore them. And yet IL is not
true that consumption is necessarily fa-
tai disease. In point of fact it ia not 30
fatal as many cases which prevail In every
community. and yet excite no remark.
Consumption results from q perverted
nutrition. Instead of that perfect assim-
ilation essential to sound health, there is
an elaboration of the nutritive fluids,
which leads by infammatory 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. 1t follows that there is no spe-
citic for consumption. 1t is not durable
by medicines; on the contrary, its fatal
issue is more often hastened 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, l usually
relate cases that have come under my OBJ
servation. The following is one example
among many:
"a young medical friend, having q
hereditary tendency to consumption, be.
gan to realize at first its well ll-marksd
symptoms. 1t progressed rapidly toward
fatal termination. The cough, emacia-
ton, and hectic betrayed his condition to
the most superficial observer. Alarmed
at this condition, but dreading to yield to
the conviction of his friends that he was a
victim of this disease, he refused to be ex-
amined or even to talk on the subject. At
length he became so weak and prostrated
that he consented to have his lungs ex-
amined, and on the announcement of the
ply sician that they contained large cavi-
ties, he tainted, and was rallied with great
difficulty. Aroused to pitch of = gspera-
ton, he determined that he would not lie
| down and die, but would betake himself
to outdoor life. He accordingly spent his
entire day on horseback exercise, saving
wood, boat rowing, etc. At night he
slept on hard bed in an out house
through which the winds had full play.
His diet was plain, and but little cooked
his clothing was coarse and scant. That
physician is to-day practicing his profes.
sion in a New England town; ne is up.
wards of forty. five 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 you
dwelling if possible; choose dry noun
tain region develop by vigorous exercise
every muscle in the body to its fullest ca
pacity; select nourishing and easily di
gested food, and be sure that it is no
overlooked; dress in coarse wooden cloth
ing; bathe for cleanliness and comfort
never forcibly distend the lungs, but in
crease their capacity by exercise; and
finally, take no medicines except as aid o.
additional to the course of life recon-
mended.-Hmtnent Physician, in Redrtl
and Home.