Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-06-15
BsHlprtaiit t8ottlla'sst,
TFor the Democratic SOrthvestl
DIR. WOLFE'S
Com mo n Sense.
LETTER XVI.
CONCLUSION.

asthma by Inhalation, II Is not our IN
tention to claim any wonderful knowl
edge or miraculous skill. but perely Il
explain the grounds and results upor
which we base this opinion. Experiences
has abundantly proved that we can moi
send remedies through the stomach and
general system that will exert benefi
cent local influence on the lungs. Where
fact has become so indubitably estab
lished by the trials and testimony of ages
it is unwise and improbable to dispute
it. And tho fact is clearly established
not only with reference TO asthma but il
applies with equal force to every disease
that can be reached by local medication
Affections of the eye, of the throat, OF
the skin, the bowels, and stomach, are
all treated with great success by the di-
rect applications of washes, ointments,
injections, mixtures, etc. Now. analogy
is clearly in favor of applying the same
principle to the treatment of all diseases
Of the lungs, and especially of asthma,
an affection we have shown TO be purely
local. both in its cause and effect If
we had no facts, we might reason from
the nature of this disease alone. with
great force in favor of local treatment.
But is not the analogy placed beyond all
question by well-known n facts regarding
the beneficial action of medicine in this
disease? Has not the little relief obtained
from the old custom of burning ''salt-
peter paper" of smoking stra-mon-
ium," and the more recent employment
of ''ether and 'cloroform" during the
paroxysm.m been illustrative OF the power
of inhaled remedies to control, il not
cure, the disease? And though these can
only be regarded as partial in their ap-
plication, and limited in their usefulness
to affording relief during the fit, the re-
lief they have given overbalances the
benefit obtained from all other sources.
Now, if this be true OF the inhalation of
these simple palliatives, you can readily
understand how prompt and radical must
prove thorough and judicious treat
ment by Inhalation under the care of a
physician practically acquainted with
the action Of inhaled remedies, and who
directs his efforts not merely to relax the
spasms, but to subdue the morbid sensi-
bility of the pulmonary nerves
1t has become the practice of medical
men to pronounce all alleged cures of
consumption as cases of chronic bronchi-
tbs only. Though such a view is wholly
erroneous, let us acceptit, to save argu-
ment. What is asthma, in the great ma
jority of cases, but bronchitis, attended
by spasms of the air-cells? The same
condition without paroxysms we call
bronchitis-dry or humid, as the case
may be--but with paroxysms, asthma.
If inhalation is sufficient to cure bronchi-
tbs when so inveterate as to resemble
consumption, it must surely be sufficient
to cure asthma in all cases depending on
simple bronchitis. Again, in asthma
arising from morbid sensibility Of the
pulmonary nerves soothing and tonic in
halations will cure it entirely
Ofpurely spasmodic or nervous asth-
ma, there are very few cases that do not
admit of a radical cure. This narrows the
incurable cases down to those old and
inveterate emphysemas which depend
on structural changes. The lungs III these
cases can be so invigorated by proper in
halants as to render them but little sus-
ceptable to those influences which bring
on the fit, thereby saving the patient
from the suffering of repeated attacks,
and rendering life comparatively COM
Portable.
The length of time needed to change
the condition of the lungs, on which en-
physematous asthma depends, is neces-
sarily greater than to simply arrest a par
Oxysm. Some forms of asthma are often
radically removed in the brief space of
few weeks. But others that have become
inveterate by age require more persistent
treatment before the cure is well estab-
lished.
Except in those aggravated forms of
disease in which the air cells and bron.
chial tubes are already disorganiZed and
destroyed, cure is almost certain to fol-
low q steady and proper use of remedies,
by inhalation. Asthma is almost wholly
functional disease.
But while asthma is so certainly cur
able, and so promptly resonds to proper
the outset by relief and improvement,
there is not, in the whole catalogue of ills
to which we are liable, one which re-
quires more determined and persever.
ing employment of means to attain the
desired end. To radically uproot an in
veterate asthma, In constitution morb-
idly susceptible to every injurious influ-
ence, necessarily requires time. We are
the more particular in enforcing ethis to
save those suffering from asthma from
being over sanguine of rapid cure, and to
dissuadeIthem from the folly of regarding
themselves as cured as soon as they are
relieved. We would not have them be-
gin treatment with hopes which in the
very nature of the disease can not be re-
allied.
The basis upon which this mode Of
treatment mainly rests may be explained
in few words. The air we breath is
more immediately concerned in the pro-
duction of disease than any other infiu
ence to which we are exposed; and as it
is subject to change in its temperature,
its electrical condition, and its purity, SO
are our feelings and our health affected
by every such change, being impressed
locally upon the internal surface of the
entire respiratory passage.
In the past, the physician in attend
ance upon consumption and asthma has
done little more than silently contem-
plate miseries, which he had no power
to relieve.S Let us hope life Of greater
activity will be opened to him by the
success which has attended a more ra-
tional application of medicine to the cure
of pulmonary diseases. Once practically
acquainted with Inhalation, he will dis.
cover how very possible it is to retard
progress in the healing ant by an inveter-
ate adherence to the follies Of our faith
'Arsi R8F k<9 49,
Very respectfully,
N. B. WOLFE, NJ. d.
LAG Smith ST., Cincinnati, o.
ii DR.. Wolfe may be consulted by letter.
fyee of charge, by any one suffering with
disease of the Nose, Throat or Lungs.
Address as above. Office consultation
free.
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