, 1876-11-10
DIR. HUNTERS LETTERS.
No. III.
ON CHRONIC NASAL CATARRm.

on CHRONIC NASAL CATARRH.
To the Editor-Sir: Chronic Catd,7h of the
Nose is one Of the most widely distributed and
disagreCable affections from which people suffer.
Probably three persons OF every hve We meet
are afflicted with this distressing and offensive
disease, and notwithstanding the fact that it
generally precedes Consumption, and is certain,
if long neglected, to undermine the health aud
strength Of the lungs, earnest and persevering
efforts are seldom made to get rid OF it,
1t is subject Of equal, and almost uniform,
neglect by both physicians and patients, and
such treatment as is applied to it, has fallen,
almost altogether, intO the hands of ignorant
druggists, and specializing empyrics, who know
absolutely nothing of medical science, nor the
nature Of the disease they attempt to cure. Their
efforts are directed entirely toward drying up"
the discharge in the shortest space of time, by
the use of astringent applications, and as re
suit, 1t 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, accumulates in the blood,
producing distressing neuralgia and headaches,
and painful local diseases in other portions of
the body.
Those toho suffer from Chronie Cataryh should
knolo that ii is not ereluirely local disease al.
though the local eridences Of It are those 1vhich they
are most sensible Of
In great many cases chronic catarrh is the
result of frequently repeated attacks of ''cold
in the head" or AcIte Catarrh, tof which Influ-
enza is an epidemic Variety, acting upon cor
stltutiOn entirely free of any inherited or ac-
quired scrofulous or syplihtic taint and conse-
quently in its early stages may be purely local
disease. But is seldom discovered by the patient
until his system has become infected or, in 9TH
er words, until it has gotten into the blood and
become constitutional disease, requiring Judi
cious constitutional treatment, as well ss proper
and thorough topical tlocal) medication for its
relief and cure.
Fpbaca ,,f fha
rally permitted to cure themselves, or wear ont
and as a result they run regular course, last
ing from five to ten days under the most favor
able circumstances, leaving a slight discharge,
which becomes thicker after each subsequent at
] tack. The progress, however, towards the
chronic form Of the disease is so gradual that
the patient seldom notes its successive steps un-
| til 1t becomes thoroughly established, and he
finds, upon arising inthe morning. that his throat
/ contains STICKY, stIingy nluciLs, requiring
| considerable effort to dislodge As the disease
| advances these symptoms become more prOmi-
nent and distressing. Ulcers form on the sep
tltDl or partition of the nose an other portions
/ Of the walls Of the nasal cavities, upon which
cI7tSts Of dried, hard mucus form, and when dis
| lodged by the fnger-nail, or vigorous blowing
Of the organ, are discharged, often with little
| blOod-generally only few drops-but some
! times prOfuse hemOrrhage. These ulcers in
crease rapidly in size, and those on the septIm
soon eat hole through it.
The constant hawking, splitting, blowing and
~picking efforts, required to keep the throat and
nostriIs clear, are distressing in the extreme,
and the breath generally becomes so offensive as
/ to render 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 fact which must cause him deep humilia-
ton.
The matter discharged from the head into the
throat is constantly swallowed, producing dys-
pepsia, heartburn and other distressing symp-
toms, and the air drawn through the nostrils at
each inspiration passes over the diseased sur
faces becoming saturated with the stencil arising
from them. and is then carried into the delicate
air-cells of the lungs, sdecin1 The seeds Of Coy
sumption.
In my next letter shall describe Ozena, an
aggravated form Of Catarrh, and explain a sys-
tenn Of treatment have long employed with
great success. Catarrh can be cured in nine
cases out Of ten, il sctRffcdHy treated by both
local and constitutional remedies. There are
| thousands carrying around with them and neg
Letting this offensive and dangerous disease,
| injecting with its noxiOus efiuvia the air OF
every room they enter, whose general health
Will after few months or years commence to
fail, and gradually decline until they sink into
/ cOnsumptiyes' graves. Respectfully,
JAMES A. HUNTER, N. D,
| San Francisco. Cal, Oct. Z, 1876.
NoTE.-Dr. Hunter has for many years devoted
special attention to diseases Of the Head,
Throat and Chest, in New York, and has re-
fishing here SdidtIIitgR FIR this class Of in
valids.
| Persons at distance can be treated by cor
respondence. An illustrated pamphlet upon
these diseases, and list Of questions to be an
swertd, will be sent to any address. The treat
ment can be sent by mail or express. Address
DR.. J. A. Hunter, 221 Post Street, San Fran
/ cisco