National Republican., 1877-01-20

Among the list Of chronic diseases which affect
the human frame Catarrh is the one most preva-
lent, most onensiv most productive of discomfort,
and most liable to variety of dangerous and dis
tressing complications.
Thousands are annually hastened to a prema-
ture grave from its.pernicious 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-
structive influence of this disease and its alarming
prevalence that first attracted the writer's atten-
ton, and it is with pardonable pride that he refers
to the fact of having been the first physician who
made this disease special study, and originated
system oftreatment calculated to effect q radical
and permanent cure.
Catarrh manifests itself by discharge from the
head, varying in Its nature in different cases and
even in the same individual at different times, 1t
may be thin, colorless, acrid fluid, a glary,
starch-lIke substance; generally, however, it is
thick, purulent, or murco-purulent matter, either
greenish-yellow or deep green tint, occasionally
streaked or fecked with blood. So copIous and
offensive is the discharge in many cases that the
patient feels as though the whole head was in a
state Of corruption.
Much the disrharoe nasses bactv,rd trfo the
throat or collects a tough, viscd rhlegm behind
and above the soft palate, in the passage between
the throat and head, creating a constant and al
most irresistible desire to obtain relief by .hawk-
ng," characteristic practice Of catarrh, and a
embarrassing to the affected as 1t is disag agreea
BILE to those around. Often the phiegm is so tena-
cious that the most persistent and exhaustive eff
forts fail to dislodge it until some food or stimuant
is swallowed.
Again the offensive matter deposits itself In the
nasal cavities in the shape of dry, hard erusts,
which, in some cases, accumulatesto such an ex-
tent as to form regular plug, obstruetins breath
tion is Indicative OF liberation, which in time may
destroy the bony structure of the nose and produce
Its subsequent fattening.
The breath is always tainted, and sometimes is 50
revoltngly offensive to render the sufferer an OBJ
ject of disgust to himself well as to Others and
cases are occasionally met with in which the stencil
is really overpowering, and sufficiently fetid to
poison the atmosphere of whole room. Thus
person affected with Catarrh lives continually in an
impure atmosphere of his own surrounding, and
inhales poisonous enluviaswith 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 disagreeable
'stufy'' sensation in the head, accompa-
MED by occasional violent and prolonged
paroxysms.of sneezing. Again a distressing feel
ing of fulness compression is experienced above
and between the eyes, or pain manifests itself in
the face, forehead or temples, or on the top or
ter that 1t Is mistaken neuralgia. The of
smell is generally blunted entirely lost, and taste
may become similarly affected.
The voice Is husky or of q nasal character, while
oftimes there Is 4 continual hoarseness, accompa-
MED by more less cough, excessive debility and
emaciation. Indeed, in: some Instances the loss of
flesh is so considerable and progressive as to sug
gest the existence Of tubercuar disease, and not
few eases of Catarrh that have come under my
notice have been regarded as consumption, and so
treated by unwary or inexperienced practitioners.
Catarrh is Of the most frequent causes Of deaf
ness. Scarcely any one afflicted with this disease
for any length Of time retains normal acuteness
of the hearing power. With some the hearing
suffers at first only by spells, while in others the
hearing grows indistinct without the appearance OF
any premonitory symptoms, the deafness increas-
Ing gradually until all luseful 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,
after another Of the vital powers give away. The
patient loses flesh and strength, Is anguid, unable
to perform mental or physical labor with the usual
facility, is depressed In spirits and inclined to
drowsiness and sleep: the memory is weakened and
Its permanent impairment seriously threatened.
The mucous membrane becomes morbidly sensi-
tive, and In spite Of the utmost care becomes af-
fected from the sghtestcauses that at last evena
breath: ofwind upon the lining of the throat
becomes productive of cold. and gives rise to ser-
Gus disturbance Of the respiratory organs. The
patient Is subject to frequent and repeated colds
each one aggravating the disease BY giving it
impulse, and attacking . larger extent of surface
thanits predecessor. In this manner the Catarrh
spreads from organ to until finally reaches
the lungs and produces Consumption. 1t would
indeed be 4 blessing to humanity If every one
would learn and remember the lesson which ex-
perience teaches daily: THAT TO NEGLECT THE
PKorEn TREATMENT OF CArARRH Is TO DIE WITH
CONSUMPTION.
Tha. the timld and disap ointed may feel the ut
most assurance and confidence in the skull and good
faith of DE-. HARTLEY, he generously offers to at
tend all persons, rich poor, free Of charge, until
the best evidence and most convincing proofs OF
success have been realized from his treatment.
"A M n nYs rvsSsr aepanr