The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1875-01-30
DIR. HUNTER
ON CHRONIC CATARRH.
LETTER NO. LII.
To the Editor:

To the Editor:
SIR:-Chroqic CatarTA of the Nose Is
one of the most widely distributed and
disagreeabe affections from which people
suffer. Probably three persons Of every
five We meet are afflicted with this dis
tressing and offensive disease, and not
outstanding the fact that it generally
precedes Consumption, and is certain, il
long neglected, to undermine the health
and strength of the Lungs, earnest and
persevering efforts are seldom made to
get rid of it. 1t is II subject of equal and
almost uniform, neglect, by both phySi-
clans and patients, and such treatment as
il applied to it, has fallen, almost alto
gcther. into the hands of ignorant drug
gists, and spcculatng empyrics, who
know absolutely nothing of medical
science, or the nature of the disease they
attempt to cure. Their efforts are d.
rected entirely toward "d,yatg up' the
discharge in the shortest space Of time,
by the use Of astringent applications, and
rs "A result it breaks out with redoubled
energy as soon aS they are discontinued;
or if long used. the morbid or noxious
secretion, thus prevented from being
discharged, accumulatcs in the blood,
producing distressing neuralgia and
headaches and painful local diseases in
othcr.portions of the body. Those who
suffer ,ciM Chronic Catarrh, should
k,,o,r that il Is not exclusively a local
diseasc, although tie iocaL rcidemces Of
It are those. rhch Meg are most sensi-
bic Of.
In great many cases chronic catarrh
is the result of frequently repeated at
tacks OF "CoLd in the head or Icutc Ca
.arrh (of which Influenza is an epidemic
Variety acting upon Il constitution en-
.lrcly free OF any inherited or acquired
crofulous or syphilitic faint, and consc-
lucntly in its early stages may be purely
| local disease. But it is seldom discoy-
red by the patient until his system has
become infected, or, III other words, until
I has gotten into the blood and become u
disease, requiring judicious
treatment, as well as proper
md thorough topical medication for lis
'elicf and cure,
A great many cases of Chrome Catarrh
ire produced in the following manner:
An exposure to cold, or damp atmos-
,here, when the body is insutficiently
,lothed, or perspring freely, checks the
.ction Of the small glands of the SKIN,
and is Immediately followed by an effect
lpon the mucous membrane, lining the
,ir passages of the nose, throat, JrOnchiaL
Mites. or air cells of the Lungs; or, two
hrec, or all of these parts may be at
acked mt the same time. This membrane
becomes congested, hot, dry, and swollen
until respiration is performed with more
II less difficulty. In the nostrils feel
ne "stutfincss' is experienced, with fire.
Iucnt disposition to sneeHe. In the throat
md bronchial tubes Il sensation OF con-
friction and oppression, and sometimes
orcness and acute pain, is felt, particu-
arly during acts Of coughing. These at
uckS generally commence in the nostrils
md proceed downwards, occupying from
few hours to several days in this pro-
,rcss. Exceptionally the bronchial tubes
re effected without involving the parts
.bovc.
The attacks are generally permitted to
llTt lltlllSfINtss VI wal 'AN' oiit 90 q ~
ult they run regular course, lasting
rom five to ten days under the most ia
cradle circumstances, leaving slight
discharge, which becomes thicker after
ach subsequent attack. The progress,
.owcvcr. towards the chronic form of the
isease is so gradual that the patient sell
ON notes its successive steps untilit be-
ONES thoroughly established, and he
nds, upon arising m the morning that has
hroat contains sticky, StrHgy
aucus, requiring consIdera-s
lie effort TO dislodge, As
he disease advances these symptoms be-
ONE more prominent and distressing.
-Icers form on the scptum Of the nose
md other portions of the walls of the
avity, upon which crusts of dried, hard
nucus forms, and when dislodged BY the
or vigorous blowing of the
ryan, are discharged with little blood
generally only few drops-but some
lines profuse hemorrhage. These ulcers
Increase rapidly in size, and those on the
nptum soon eat hole through it.
The constant hawking, splitting, blow
ne and picking efforts required TO keep /
he throat and nostrils clear, arc distress
ny in the extreme, and the breath gem
rally becomes so offensive as to render
II social intercourse disagreeabe to those
With whom the afflicted person comes in
ontact; vet he may remain months and
ears in ignorance of this fact, AS few will
nform him of that which must cause
i'm deep humiliation.
The matter discharged from the head
nto the throat is constantly swallowed,
reducing dyspepsia, heartburn, and
ther distressing symptoms, and the air
rawn in at each inspiration passes over
he diseased surfaces, becoming saturated .
With the stencil arising from them, and
then carried into the delicate air cells
f the lungs, sowing the seeds Of Con-
>,
In nv next letter shall describe
IzFxA. an aggravated form of Catarrh,
= / hata .