The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1883-02-03
STARTLING STATISTICS.
The Shadow Hanging Over New York City
and the Entire COuntry---A Tri-
bune Opinion.

"The nation has been Mortified at the burning
Of a Milwaukee hotel, whereby over 70
lives were lost. This event carried terror be-
cause 1t was sudden and appalling; but had the
same disastrous results to life and limb come
silently they would have been unnoticed, not
only by the people of the land but also by the
very community i'm which they occurred Fatal
events OF Il far worse nature have taken place
in this very city, but they have attracted no
attention, nor would they now did not the
Bureau of Nital Statistics bring them to our
notice, Figures do not lie," whatever else
may be uncertain and the report on the deaths
of this city is a startling comment on its life.
During the past year the enormous increase
of certain maadies is simply appalling. While
the total number of deaths has diminished and
the death rate on most diseases has decreased,
still it is far greater in one or two serious disor-
ders than was ever known before. More peO-
pie died in the city of New York in 1882 from
Bright's disease OF the kidneys, than from dyp-
liberia, smallpox and typhoid fever all COM
bined! This scarcely seems possible, but it is
true and when il is remembered that less than
one-third the actual deaths from Brlghts dis
ease are really reported as such, the ravages of
the malady can be partially understood.
The immediate query which every reader will
make upon such a revelation of facts is What
causes this increase? This is difficult question
to answer. The nature of the climate, the
habits of life, the adulteratiOn of foods and
liquors, all undoubtedly contributes; but no
immediate cause can be certainly assigned.
Often before the victim knows it the disease
has begun. Its approaches are so stealthy and
its symptoms so obscure that they cannot
be definitely fOreseen and are only known by
their effects. Any kidney disorder, however
slight, is the first stage of Bright's disease.
But it is seldom that kidney disorders can be
detected. They do not have any certain
symptoms. Mysterious WEAKNESS; an unusual
appetite; periodical headaches; occasional
nausea; uncertain pains; loss of vigor; lack of
nerve power; irregularty of the heart; disor-
dered daily habits; imperfect digestion all these
and many other symptoms are the indications
of kidney disorder even though there may be
no pain in the region of the kidneys or i'm that
portion of the body. The serious nature of
these troubles may be understood from the
fact that Brights disease is certain to follow
diseased kidneys as decomposition follows
death.
1t l. high time the doctors in this land who
have been unable to control kidney troubles
| should be aroused and compelled TO find some
remedy, or acknowledge one already found.
The suffering public needs help and cannot
await the tardy action of any hair-splitting
code or incorrectly formulated theories. If
the medical world has no certain remedy for
this terrible disease let them acknowledge it
and seek for one outside the pale of their pro-
fession. For the discovery of this remedy
and for its application to this disease, the peO-
of this city Tic people of the whole land not
only those who are suffering, but those who
have friends IN danger, are earnestly and long
ingly looking"
The above quotation from the New York
Tribune is causing considerable cOmmotiOn, as
il seems to lift the cover from subject that
I has become of national Importance, The
alarming ircrease of kidney diseases their in
sidOus beginnings and fPghtfulI findings, and
the acknowledged inability of physicians to
successfully cope with them may well awaken
the greatest dread of every one who
has the slightest symptoms. 1t is fortunate,
however, that the surest relief is often found
where, possibly, least expected, and that there
IL d specific for the evils BbOYe described we
have come " fHly believe. Within the past