Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-07-21
How Consumption May be Cured.

The f1rst announcement to patient that
he or she has consumption, is often like
q death knell. The vacant stare, the pale
cheek, and the convulsive sigh, indicate a
shock of the most profound character.
Indeed, have 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 fl
tai 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 assim-
ilation essential to sound health, there is
an elaboration Of the nutritive fluids,
which leads by inflammatory 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-
cific 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 one example
among many:
"a young medical friend, having
hereditary tendency to consumption, be;
gan to realize at first its well marked
symptoms. 1t progressed rapidly toward
a 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
victim of this disease, he refused to be ex-
amined or even to talk on the subject AT
length he became 90 weak and Frustrated
that he consented to have his lungs ex-
amined, 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, 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
ply stefan is to day practicing his profess
sion in New England town; he is up
wards of forty five years OF age, and
weighs about 200 pounds. A nnei aaee.
men IF health is not seen in New Eng
land"
Recovering from the last stage of con-
is therefore possible. The iol-
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
ling if possible; choose dry noun
tain region develop by vigorous exercise
every muscle in the body to its fullest ca
pacity; select nourisbing and easily di-
gested food, and be sure that it is not
overlooked; dress 10 coarse wooden cloth
ing; battle for cleanliness and comfort;
never forcibly distend the lungs, but in
crosse their capacity by exercise; and,
finally, take no medicines except as aid or
additional to the course OF life recon-
mended.-Eminent Physician, IN Hearth
and Home.