The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1882-05-19
For 'T!.e DulIetih.
DIR. WOLFE'S COMMON SENSE.
LETTER NO. XIII.

mr. Editor.
Having pointed out the manner of cur
ing the first and second stages of consump-
tion shall do the same in regard to the
third. In this stage masses of yellow
tubercle break down and are expectorated,
carrying with them lung tissue, leaving
cavities secreting matter, accompanied by
severe constitutional disturbance, such as
hectic fever, drenching nightsweats,
dianhea, etc.
We now employ vaporS that will stimu-
late the liberated surface to secrete gran
ulated matter instead Of pus. The sides
OF the cavity now become either glued to-
gether lined with a pseudo-mucus mem
brane This is the way inhalation per-
forms curein the third stage of consump-
ton in every stage was invariably fatel;
and it does seem the very height of infat-
uation for consumptive to put himself in
the hands of physician who confesses
before he begins to prescribe that he can
not cure the disease. Is it not more in
accordance with common sense that the
patient should shun such Jack Ketch,
and place himself under the care of one
who employs treatment that cures the
malady0 The old treatment promises moth
ing but death. Inhalation is daily work
ing It's cures, which under the old treat.
ment could not have been made. Of the
truth of this | give ample proof in the
second part of this work II is sad to see
the young, the lovely, and the gifted hur-
ried to the grave by consumption, when so
many might be saved by timely resort to
treatment by inhalation. The other modes
of treatment fail no wonder the public
mind entertains deep-rooted belief that
consumption is incurable. Let us in con-
trast briefly consider some old methods of
treating consumption with the new.
Bleeding was popular practice forty
years ago, on the hypothesis that con-
sumption was an inflammation of the lung
structure. Upon this erroneous suppostion,
crowds of victims have been hurried to the
grave, secundum artem, by bleeding, leech-
ing and cuppng; but no reputable ply
stefan bleeds now. Consumption being es-
sentially disease of debility, it requires
very little reason to perceive that so far
from lowering the powers of the system by
abstracting blood, We should build up its
strength by all the means at our command.
What shall | say Of the cruel practice of
giving emeticsi This mode of treatment
is only calculated to exhaust the strength
of patients, and destroy the tone of the
stomach, while it exercises no curative
power over the, lungs. Happily for the
sufferers, it is now becoming almost obso-
lete.
Mercury was at one time greatly in fash
ion, but this treatment has changed, not
only because it did no good, but positive
harm. 1t is the opinion of many that sal
walton in those who never would have been
attacked if this destructive poison had not
been used. Happily the conviction has
become impressed upon the minds Of the
profession that it is injurious, and few ply
sicians now prescribe it. except stealthiy,
as an experiment, not FROM any faith they
have in its efficacy. After killing its thou
sands, let US hope its use has been aban-
doned forever.
Toncs.- opposition to those who en-
ploy bleeding, we have physicians who re
gard consumption as disease of debility
and rely on tonics. Both views arc ortho-
dox, but which is rightl 1t is an axiom
in organic diseases, and aggravate the dis
order. Tonics have no power to cause alb
sorption or remove tubercles from the lungs
and consequently the tonic doctors have no,
been able to sustain their position any bet
ter than the others.
Digitalis and Iodine have had their days
and very tlourishing days they were, but
now alas they arc consigned with ignomi
ny to the tomb of the Capulets by the mos
learned of the profession.
Confederation means sores on the sur
face ofthe body, with tho thought of remov
: ing the disease from the lungs. With this
view poor consumptives have had their
chests scared with hot irons Covered with
I tartar emetic pustules, tortured with fly
blistcrs, mustard drafts, and other modes Of
eilocting the coveted object. Sensible phys.
icians now allow that er.irritation has
no effect in causing the absorption or remov,
al of tubcrcles; therefore, It does no good
) But II does positive harm. We know i
produces fever and night-sweats. Now, Il