Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1876-10-05
CONSUMPTION.

onsumption; and vet, amongst all
Dens ailme ats, il is the most fatal
indeed. it has almost been conceded by
The best writers 10 be an incurable dis
sease. There are two varieties of con-
sumption, one vulyarly called the gal
Looping" usually fatall and the other the
slow decline - but, as it is not our in
tention. in this article at least. to 90 in
10 details, we shall speak of the COM
plant as a unit.
We cannot agree with the idea ad-
vanced by some eminent men that con-
sumption is ALWAYS incurable-on the
contrary. We knew it csa DC cured if
treated properly in its early stage, tut
not by those OF whom unfortunately.
the world is full. empirical men land
women) who, for the sake of pecuniary
success, food the land with what they
term positive cures :" and into the
arms, as it were, Of these bad, unscru-
pulous people consumptive sufferers
usually fling themselves. cheerfu!lv paw
ing high fees and taking harmless. if no;
actually injurious no>trums in quarti-
ties sufficient to injure the constitution
of horse.
We did no, intend, when we COM
menced this article, to say n W ord as to
how hundreds of thou. ands of pco-
pie are thus duped out Of their money.
and in numberless instances of their lives,
but, like all Others who desire to help
instead of I'M turing the suffering our du-
ty impelS Us to indite a caution and at
the same time condemn the vile busi-
ness of fleecing poor and helpless peo-
pie by promising them a condition OF
health not in the power Of man to be-
stow.
But to our text: Consumption Of the
lungs is disease which, in a majority
of cases, develops itself slowly, almost
:mperceptibly. The first symtom Is a
slight dry cough. in short time. how
ever, becoming more marked and ac-
companied with some expectorat.cn OF
purule!t mucus secretion. Some
times there is a splitting of blood prior
to the dry cough spoken OF and time
when there is apparently a condition of
perfect health. This early splitting of
blood is no: always, as supposed. an cv-
idence that the horrible disease is max
ing hcadway; on the contrary, expert
ense has shown it is sure prognostic
that the malady is making a slow not a
fast progress. There is little or no pain
experienced BY consumptive patient,
except when there is plcurtic inhama-
ton. When this is the case the pain i
short and sti.ch-ikc. and l. felt in the
upper part Of the chest or behind the
shou.der-blade. A shortness of breath,
on taking exercise, iS Sure Indication
that the disease is making its steady ad-
vance as is also the rise of hectic fe-
YER daily: generally in the afternoon
As the affection goes on there is pro-
gressive lcSsenIng of strength and BODY.
a wasting of the flesh, in the end
amounting TO complete emaciation.-
What are known as might sweats' aid
largely in bringing about this heart
grieving, wearing away OF life.
There are many other symptoms
enough, if rccapitula.ed. 10 fill small
volume-but those noted-and we have
given them free from technrcalitcs-are
sufficient.
II has been estimated 3, 900, 600 OF the
worlds'> people die every year from con-
sumption. sore of them carried off in a
few weeks after being attacked and
others lasting from one TO forty years.
There are no known specific rene
dies for the cure OF consumption, but
there are medicines, when property
prepared and administered. which will
either check. or much mitigate the dis
ease and prolong life: Cod-liver oil.
$50 called has been used with some
benefit. but this il rather food than a
medicine: so. also, has been given
with good results the various vegetable
and mineral tonics, hvpopho>phites.
Sc; but the great and only cure. where
a cure is possible. will be found in sup
plving the wasted BODY with as much
or more carbon than the eXhau>ting
disease demands. This i TO be done hy
dieting the patient, giving the most
nouri>hing food. with as much fatty
matter in il as the stomach can digest.
Living IN the open air a much aS pos
sible aids IN recovery, as does occa-
,ionally change of climate: hut. in
making a change of climate, various
matters must be considered. such a,
the resources for occupation oimind and
body: absence from home, separation
from friends, sc. Going 10 a place
where con=umptives congregate is un-
favorable. hence we do not recon-
mend Florida, the graveyard of north
ern consumptives, beautiful country
though ii he. The use OF fresh meat
chopped fine and chemically cooked. is
highly beneficial. and has done more
to save life than all other remedies com
bined: and, when saturated with alcoholic
spirits, in proper proportions. far exceis
everything else. In Europe il is the
only medicine now prescribed for the
disease. A proper use of this alone,
with attention TO the wants OF the sys-
TEN IN other WAYS, exercise, bathing,
SC, will not only save the lives oi
MANY consumptives but prolong the en-
istence for wears of many others.
As fnality TO this brief notice of a
disease which it would take columns 70
fully discuss. We recommend the aiillc-
ted 10 live in hope and to avoid becom-
ing the victims OF shark-like quacks and
empires. who bu, fatten upon the spoils
cruelty drawn in too many instances
from poor and needy people who are
but a step from their graves.