The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-01-14
DIR. HUNTER
ON CHRONIC cATARRH.
LETTER NO, III.

LEI G1S 49,
To de Editor. ;,
sm-Chronis CaiGrA Of the Nose Is
one Of the most widely distributed and
di,aureeuble affections from which people
suffer. Probably three persons Of every
Ave we meet arc afflicted with this dis
tressing and offensive disease, and not
withstanding the fact that Il generally pre-.
eed., Consumption and is certain, u
long neglected, to undermine the health
and strength Of the Lungs, earnest and
perseyering efforts are seldom made 70
net rid Of 1t. 1t Is a 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
pcther, into the hands Of ignorant drug
Eists, and specializing emPytics, who
know absolutely nothing Of medical sci
epcc, or the nature Of the disease they at
tompt to cure. Their efforts are
directed entirely toward "dryTg up"
the discarge in the shortest space
Of time, by the use Of astringent
applications, and as result It breaks out
with rodOubled energy as soon as they are
discontinued; or, II long used, the morbid
or noxious secretion, thus prevented from
being discharged, uccumulates in the
blood, producing distressing neuralgia
and headaches, and painful local diseases
in other portions Of the body. Those rho
suffer giM Chronic CataTh, should kROU hai
Il i not erelusisly a local disea'e, although he
local sridenocs Of Il arc those Tbieh they are
mod sensible Of
In great many cases, chronic catarrh
isIhe result Of frequently repeated at
lacks Of "Cold in the head" or Acute Ca
tarrh (of which Influenza Is an epidemic
variety acting upon constitution en-.
drely free Of any inherited or acquired
scrofulous or Syphilitic faint, and cOnse'
quently in its early stages may BE- purely
a local disease, But Il Is seldom diScoy.
cred by the patient until his system has
become infected, or, in other words, until
It has gotten into tho blood and become q
constitutional disease, requiring iudiCiOus
constitutional treatment, as well as prop
or and thorough topical medication for iu
relief and cure.
A great many cases Of ChrOnic CdtGrN
are produced in the following manner
An exposure to cold, or damp atmOs.
phcrc, when tho body is insuiflciently
clothed, or perspiring freely checks The
action Of the small glands Of the skin,
and Is Immediately followed by an effect
upon tho mucous membrane, lining The
air passages Of the nOe, throat, baonehiaI
tubes, or air.cells Of the Lungs or, two,
three or all Of these parts may be ut
tackled Of the same time, This membrane
becomes cOagested, hot, dry, and swollen
until respiration Is performed with mola
or less difficulty. In the nostrils a feel.
ing gstulIiness" is experienced, with fre.
quent disposition to Sneezc. Inthe throat
and bronchial tubes sensation Of con.
sLrictiOn and oppression, and some.
times soreness and acute pain, is felt, par.
ticularly during acts Of coughing. These
attacks generally commence in the nos.
trlls and proceed downwards, occupying
from few hours to several days in this
progress. Exceptionally the bronchial
tubes are affected without involving the
parts above.
These attacks are generally permitted
to cure themselves, or wear out, and as
result they run a regular course, lasting
from five to ten days under the most IA.
yorablo circumstances, leaving a slight
discharge, which becomes thicker after
encl subsequent attack, The progress,
however, towards the chronic form Of The
disease Is SO gradual that the patient sell
dom notes liz successive steps until Il be-
comes thoroughly established, and he
finds, upon arising in The morning, hdt'his
throat contains a sticky, aringy nueus, requir-
ing a considerable effort to dislodge. As
the disease advances these symptoms BE-.
come more prominent and distressing.
Ulcers form on the septum Of the nose
and other portions Of the walls Of the
cavity, upon which ertLStS Of dried, hard
mucus form, and when dislodged by The
fnger.nuil, or vigorous blowing Of tile
organ, are discharged with little blood
generally only few drops-but some
times pfofuse hGmOrrhuge. These ulcers
increase rapidly in size, and those on tie
septum soon cat a hole through II.
The constant hawking, splitting, blow.
Ing and picking efforts required to keep
the throat and nostrils clear, are Dis.
tresSlng in the extreme, and the breath
generally becomes 40 offensive as to rem
der all social intercourse disagreeable to |
those with whom the afflicted person
comes in contact; yet he may remain |
months and years in ignorance Of this
fact, as few will inform him Of that which |
must cause him deep humiliation.
The matter discharged from the head
into the throat Ia constantly swallowed,
producing dyspepsia, heartburn, and
other distressing symptoms, and the air
drawn in at each inspiration passes over
the diseased surfaces, becoming saturated
with the stencil arising from them, and Is
then carried into the delicate air cells Of
the lungs, sowing the seeds Of Consump.
ton.
In my next letter 1 shall describe
ozESA, an aggravated form Of Catatth,
and explain system Of treatment have
long employed with great success. I be-
lleVe that Cataffh can DO cured In nine
cases out Of ten, II scientifically treated by
both local and constitutional remedies.
1Ntasa 49, it.....l1 zusZf..... .,... |