National Republican., 1876-12-15

Among the list of chronic diseases which affect
the human frame Catarrh is the one most preva-
lent most offensive, most productive Of discomfort,
and most liable to variety OF dangerous and dis
tressing complications. ~
Thousands are annually FASTENED to a prems-
ture grave from its.pernieious effects and no doubt
thousands are at this moment slowly perishIng
under its fatal influence ignorant Of the cause OF
their declining health. 1t was, in fact, the de-
struetye influence Of this disease and its alarming
prevalence that first attracted the writer's atten-
tion and it is with pardonable pride that ne refers
made this disease special study, and originated
system ofteatment calculated to effect radical
and permanent cure. -.sags .sEl aI-rr
Catarrh manifests itselfbya discharge from the
head varying in Its nature in different cases, and
even in the same individual at diferent times, 1t
maybe a thin, colorless, acrfd fluid, or glary,
starch-like substance; generally, however, 1t is
thick. purulent, or murco-purulent matter, either
greenish-yeiiow or deep green tint, occasionally
streaked or .necked with blood. So coplous and
offensive is the discharge in many cases that the
patient feels as though the whole head was in a
state ofcOrrupton.i I II C{4LAiI
Much ofthe discharge passes backward intothe
throat collects as tough, vfscid phlegm behind
and above the son palate, in the passage between
the throat and head, creating constant and al
most Irresistible desire to obtain relief by 'hawk-
ing,"a practice characteristic Of catarrh, and as
embarrassing to the one affected as It is disagreea-
BILE to those around. Often the phlegm is SO tena-
eious that the most persistent and exhaustive ef-
forts fail to dislodge it until food stmulant
is swallowed. .-ara.E..
Again the offensive matter deposits itself in the
nasal cavities in the shape Of dry, hard crusts,
which, in some cases, accumulates. to such an ex-
teAt as " iOih aiekuiai ptuki OoSbruCLiuB
ing and producing serious discomfort. This condi-
ton is indicative of liberation which in time may
destroy the bony structure the nose and produce
its subsequent hattening.
The breath IS always tainted, and sometimes is so
revoltingly offensive to render the sufferer OBJ
ject of disgust to himself as well as to others and
cases are occasionally met with in which the stencil
is really oyerpowering, and sufficiently fetid to
poison the atmosphere of q whole room. Thus a
person affected with Catarrh lives continually in IN
impure atmosphere OF his own surrounding, and
inhales poisonous efiuvia with every breath.
In many cases the nose is stopped up, sometimes
| on one side, sometimes on the other, and
| often on both, giving rise to a disagreeable
''stufy'' sensation in the head, accompa.
| MED by occasional violent and prolonged
| paro1yims.of sneezing. Again a distressing feel
ing Of ffulness compression is experienced above
and between the eyes, or pain manlfests itself In
the face, forehead or temples, or on the top OIL
back of the head, sometimes OF so severe a charae
ter that 1t is mistaken for neuralgia. The sense
smell is generally blunted or entirely lost, and tast
may become similarly affected.
The voice Is husky or OF anasal character, whl
oftimes there lisa continual hoarseness, accompa
MED by more less cough, excessive debility an,
emaciation. Indeed, in: some instances theloss 0
flesh is SO considerable and progressive as to sug
gest the existence OF pberculaf disease and not.
few cases OF Catarrh that have come under m
notice have been regarded as consumption, and 5
treated by unwary or inexperienced practitioners
Catarrh is of the most frequent causes OF deaf
ness. Scarcely any one afflicted with this dIseas
for any length Of time retains a normal aeutenes
of the hearing power. With some the hearin
suffers at first only by spells, while in others tn
hearing grows indistinct without the appearance 0
any premonitory symptoms, the deafness increas
ing gradually until all useful hearing is lost
Noises in the head of every conceivable description
often add materially to the existing distress.
As the disease fastens itself upon its victim, on
after another of the vital powers give away. Tn
patient loses flesh and strength, is languid, unsbl
to perform.ment or physical labor with the usus
facility, is depressed in spirits, and inclined I
drowsiness and sleep; the memory Is weakened an
its permanent Impairment seriously threatened.
The mucous membrane becomes morbidly sensi
tive, and In spite of the utmost care becomes al
fected rom the sightestcauses, that atlast even
breath of wind upon the lining Of the nose or troa
becomes productive of cold and gives rise to seri
Gus disturbancelof the respiratory organs. Tn
patient is subject to frequent and repeated colds
each one aggrayating the disease by giving 1t ne'
impulse, and attacking larger extent Of surfAc
thanits predecessor. In this manner the Catarr,
spreads from organ to organ, until it finally reache