Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-05-04
RtHratsatit Narftmsst.
lFor the DemOorHtie Norshwest.l
DIR. WOLFE'S
C ON mon Sense
LETTER X.


In my last letter pointed out that
blood-spitting is the precursor or com.
panion of tubercular consumption, and
that the smallest quantity isas significant
ss though there were pints coughed up,
aud that, on the appearance Of this symp-
tom, immediate measures should be IA.
ken to remove the cause. will continue
to describe the symptoms of other forms
Of pulmonary disease.
Chronic Consumptions runs its course
IN period varying from few months
to several years, tire average time being
about twenty months. At first slight,
hacking cough comes on in the morning.
1t is then dry, but after while a thin
mucus is spit up, which, as it becomes
more abundant, deposits a gray sedi-
ment. The cause of this cough, as al
ready stated, is the presence Of tubercles
in the lungs. Sometimes the first symp-
tom Of chronic Consumption is blood.
splitting; at others catarrh and sore throat
indicate it.
This form of consumption is sometimes
ushered in by succession of chills and
fever, that come on with the regularity
of ague, for which it is often mistaken.
Again, it first betrays the fatal tains by
a sense of heat in the bands and feet, and
a red flush on the cheek. Wasting of
the body and night sweats are serious
symptoms, and indicate the later stages
of the disease. General debility keeps
pace with these symptoms, though the
appetite is not bad; but tie second stage
the food is frequently vomited by cough
ing.
and is finally suppressed. Very little
pain is present. As the disease progresses
the expectorations become pure matter,
mixed with specks of tubercle. They are
covered with ragged, wooly surface,
and when spit in water, sink.
Chronic consumption does not always
run uniform course, and the symptoms
vary very much. The patient may be
apparently well for weeks or even
months, and die suddenly at last; why,
will proceed to explain.
A crop of tubercles is deposited in the
lungs; they soften and are expectorated,
during which the patient becomes feeble.
In a little while he regains his strength, till
anew crop natures and throug h the same
process of softening and breal ing down.
This is repeated till tlle patient is ex-
hausted. AS each successive batch of
tubercles ripens, portion OF the lung
breaks down and is expectorated in the
form of pus. Hectic fever, night sweats,
loss of flesh and strength, accompany
this condition of the lungs. Then, again,
the symptoms improve, the cough disap-
pears, and the patient regains flesh and
strength. His friends now think he will
get well, and fiatter him with the prom
ise of a speedy restoration; but, alas, in
short time all the bad symptoms return.
It is the occurrence of these intervals of
temporary comfort that has given an ILL
deserved reputation to Cod Liver Oil,
Hypophosphates of Soda, and other quack
nostrums that are incautiously poured
into the stomach by people whose = om-
mon sense" ought to protect them from
such folly.
The most eminent physicians content
themselves with telling their consump-
tive patient to live well, take out door
exercise, beprudent. and take very little
medicine. This Is all good advice. 1t is
better than helping on the fatal r.sult by
using preparations of morphine to quiet
the cough at the expense of digestion; or
making sore on the outside of the chest
to help the ulcer inside to finish the pa.
tent; or purging to aid the disease to ex-
haust the sufferer; or any Of the other
fashionable modes Of slaughter. This
plan Of leaving the case to nature is the
better Of the two evils, as the patient has
a chance of longer lease on life, al
though death is the inevitable result.
Latent Consumption is characterized
by an absence of cough, expectoration,
pain, or splitting blood, although the
lungs may be loaded with tubercles.
These symptoms are sometimes absent
even till death results; but, generally,
after o long period of failing health spit
ting blood, cough, or pain sets in sud-
denly, causing the disease to run rapid
course. Tubercles often work out their
i'll influences by secondary changes in the
blood. Other diseases supervene which |
destroy the patient, and from the absence
Of prominent symptoms of lung dis
ease, the physician and he are both led
astray. Attention Is directed toward re-
moving symptoms which are effects rath-
er than causes. Or, If the physician
knows the cause, he conc ceals it, for he
has no remedy. In such cases, the "a
tient goes about with less alacrity than
when in health; business is an exertion;
he complains of heartburn, water -brash,
uneasiness during digestion, piles, cos.
tiveness alternating with diarrhea, dis
turbed rest, and emaciation. The urine
presents the chemical and microscopic
changes observed in organic affections
of the liver. Fistula in-ano occurs in
some cases, and appears to keep the tub
berculous disease in check. Chronic dis.
order of the bowels masks latent con
SUMPTION most frequently in females;
while fistula is more common to men.
Besides these, various other symptoms
are complained of, indicating diseased
state of the body, which often puzzle
the medical attendant.
On examing the chest, depression will
be found above or below the collar bones,
or both. When the deposit is great. |
these bones stick out prominently, 80 to |
speak. On tapping in the immediate
neighborhood Of the collar bones, dull |
sounds are produced which, to the edu-
Gated ear, establish the presence of tuber. |
cles. Such cases are generally mistaken |
for bilious or dyspeptic diseases, or any
thing but what they really are, and the |
treatment prescribed is necessarily inap-
propriate. would particularly impress
the fact that active purging and the use
OF mercurial preparations are apt to rouse |
tubercles into activity and produce rapid
decay of the lungs. In all such cases the |
chest ought to be examined by a compe.
tent and truthful physician, and, if tu-
bercles are present, proper inhaling rem
edies should at once be employed,
The causes Of Jnfantile Consumption
are usually due to circumstances in
which children are placed, and not to in. |
heritance, as is commonly supposed.