National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1877-01-17

Among the list OF chronic diseases which affect
the human frame Catarrh is the one most preva-
lent, most ofensiv most productive of discomfort,
and most liable to variety of dangerous and dis
tressing complications.
Thousands are annually fastened to 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-
structve influence of this disease and its alarming
prevalence that first attracted the writer's atten-
tion and it is with pardonable pride that he refers
to the fact Of having been the first physician who
made this disease a special study and originated
system of treatment calculated to effect radical
and permanent cure.
Catarrh manifests itself by discharge from the
head, varying in its nature in different cases. and
may be a thin, colorless, acrid fluid, or glary,
starch-like substance; generally, however, it is .
thick. purulent, murco-purulent matter, either
greenish-yellow a 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 ofthe discharge passes backward into the
throat or collects as a tough, vscid phlegm behind
and above the soft palate, in the passage between
the throat and head, creating constant and al
most irresistible desire to obtain relief by 'shawk
n.y." characteristic practice Of catarrh. and
embarrassing to the affected as 1t is disagreea-
BILE to those around. Often the phlegm is so tena-
cious that the most persistent and exhaustive eff
forts fail to dislodse 1t until some food or stimuant
is swallowed.
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-
tent as to form regular plug, obstructing breath
ng and producing serious discomfort. This condI-
ton is Indicative Of liberation, which in time may
destroy the bony structure of the and produce
its subsequent fattenIng.
The breath is always tainted, and sometimes is so
revoltngly offensive as to render the sufferer OBJ
ject Of disgust to himself well as to others, and
cases occasionally met with in which the stencil
is really overpowering, and sufficiently fetid to
person affected with Catarrh lives continually In an
impure atmosphere OF his own surrounding, and
inhales poisonous efiuyia with every breath.
In many cases the nose is stopped up, sometimes
on one side, sometimes the other, and
often on both, giving to disagreeabie-
''stufy'' sensation in the head, aecompa-
MED by occasional violent and prolonged
paroxyEms-of sneezing. Again a distressing feel
ing Of funess compression is experienced above
and between the eyes, pain manlfests itself In
back Of the head, sometimes of severe a charac-
thas 1t is mistaken for neuralgia The sense of
smell is generally blunted or entirely lost, and taste
| may become similarly affected.
The voice is husky OF a nasal character, while
oftimes there is continual hoarseness, accompa-
MED by more or less cough, excessive debility and
cancellation. Indeed, in: some instances the loss of
flesh is so considerable and progressive as to sug
gest the existence of tubercular disease, and not
few cases of Catarrh that have come under my
treated by unwary or inexperienced practitioners.
Catarrh is of the most frequent causes Of deaf
ness. Scarcely any one afflicted with this disr.se
for any length Of time retains a normal acr.teness
Of the hearing power. With some the hearing
suffers at first only by spells, while in others the
hearing grows ndistinct without the appearance of
| any premonitory symptoms, the deafness Incrcas-
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 one
] after another of the vital powers give away. The
patient loses flesh and strength, is anguid, unable
to perform mental physical labor with the usual
facility, is depressed in spirits and Inclined to
drow siness and sleep; the memory Is weakened and
| Its permanent impairment seriously threatened.
| The mucous membrane becomes morbidly seusl.
tive, and In spite Of the utmost care becomes az
fected from the slightest that at last even
breath: ofwind upon the lining Of the throat
becomes productive Of cold and gives rise to seri
Gus disturbance OF the respiratory organs. The
patient is subject to frequent and repeated colds
each one aggravatlng the disease BY giving 1t new
impulse, and attacking larger extent Of surface
than its predecessor. In this manner the Catarh
spreads from organ organ. rntil 1t finally reaches
the lungs and produces Consumption. 1t would
indeed be blessing to humanity If every one
| would learn and remember the lesson which ex-
perience teaches US daily. THAT TO NEGLECT TILE
PROPER TREATMENT OF CArARnH IS TO DIE WITH
CONSUMPTION.
Tha. the timid and disap ointed may feel the ut
most assurance and confidence in tho ain, "a ,o,,