The Wilmingtonian., 1884-06-21
HEALTH HINTS.



first of all--ls the trouble primary or second I
airy; That is, to say--is it merely general |
evidence OF the system being below par, or
is it the consequence of organic disease?
Evidently the prospects of successful
treatment depend largely ON a correct inter
probation OF the symptoms, in one on other
of these directions. 1t is of little avail to
administer tonics and strengthening med-
cnes il continual drain is being kept up
on the system by some remote cause, We
must satisfy ourselves that the cause is
removable or at all events capable of being
remedied by treatment, before we can hope
to undertake the cure of the patient.
Debility is most iutIactabe, OF cuuise,
when it is dependent on some serious organic
malady, notably Consumption or Bright's
Disease or when it occurs naturally ia
association with old age. On the other
hand the chances of success are greatest
when the trouble follows an eruptive fever,
as Scarlatina or Smallpox; or again when it
is due to some irregularity of living and
dietary which has not become confirmed
habit.
The golden rule in estimating the chances
Of curing Debility may be thus stated
Rapid onset after previous good health is
durable; slow manifestation of symptoms
point to difficult cure and long continued
treatment increasing weakness, after treat.
ment has commenced generally, means
organic disease, and few or no chances Of
recovery. Fortunately the immense major
ity of cases declare themselves in the first
form and are easily remedied by suitable
tonics and change Of Air.
The following are the most frequent
causes of the first form OF Debility:-youth-
full excuses (late hours, excitement over
exertion &c); Malaria and fevers generally;
inhammatory affections of the chest want
of exercise; over-study; childbirth.
In the second category of cases, requiring
prolonged treatment and cessation from
work, may be mentioned Nervous prostration
from excessive brain toll or long-continued
anxiety; constitutional exhaustion from
want, vicious habits, biood-poisoning or the
abuse of stimulants and drugs and in
women cases of chlorosis and an9mia.
To the third class may be referred the
Debility of Consumption, Cancer, Bright's
Disease Diabetes.
The first and best of all remedies for
| Debility, from whatever cause Arising, is
change of air. 1t will cure where all medi-
cines fail, and in the majority of instances
drugs are of little avail without it. A sea-
voyage has saved the lives of thousands, and
even in Consumption has prolonged life for
many years.
Youth is great element in the treatment
of Debility. The younger the patient, the
| better the chances of cure. Every man and
every woman is born with a certain stock of
| vital power which cannot be increased but
which, if dispensed frugally, can always be
drawn upon 10 BATTLE out disease. This
| recuperative power is strong at 20, and in a
prudent person RAY be trusted to hold out
with little sign of elimination till 40 after
| which age il begins SLOWLY 20 fail. Thus it
is that the old saying every man is a fool
or physician at forty" has its origin II
means that at the latter age the subject dis
covers that he does not recover from shocks
and accidents as quickly as he used to do,
and that every mishap or indiscretion leaves
a permanent instead of transitory effect
behind it.
The discreet physician, then, estimates
his hopes of succe's in treating case Of
Debility very largely on the age and habits
of the patient.
From this cause he can readily and con
fidently deal with the transitory Debility Of
young men and young women who hav,
been drawing checks little too freely OF
their bank Of vitality, If they consult hin
in time (Which unfortunately they are moi
always disposed to do), he can restore then
to health in a few weeks or even days. Blu
they must place confidence in him and ayoit
the quacks, who reap golden harvest from
this class of cases, without helping the
customers in the least.
Here we may be permitted to speak few
plain words to our young people on the sub
jeot of Quacks and Secret Books. For th,
viest of purposes, books protesting to b,
"Warning Voices 'Friends of Youth, >
"Words of Counsel" NC &c, are publishet
and freely advertised III the newspapers b,
so-called specialists, skilled physicians anC
''clergymen" Of benevolent turn of mind
Let every young man and every younl
woman shun such works and their author
as they would mad dog or a deadly ser
pent. These books are full of the viles
falsehoods, and are written with the delib
crate intention Of pOlluting the mind of ill.,
reader so that between shame and fright Ii
or she may more readily become the dup
and victim of the villainOus quack who ha
penned these denominations. Where yOunl
people have been guilty of indiscretion
which have found their natural result in
nervous and debilitated condition, let ther
contide in their family physician;t their secre
is safe with him and the cure all the NOR
speedy and certain because half the troubl
is only imaginary.
Never take any advertised medicines Pre-
Tossing to cure Debility. Once in a Will
the result may be satisfactory, but villa
man would think of attempting to doctor II
his gold watch with the same recklessnes
that he pours physic into his body? Debility
as we have seen, has many causes, an
requires special treatment in each case
Thus in Weakness resulting from ovel
study Phosphorus is most valuable remedy
Phosphoric Acid, in combination with Iro
and Strychnia will work wonders, but til
remedy must be judiciously employed /
conjunction with change of air and occu
patton to produce its best effect Sea-batl
ing is fine adjunct to treatment where til
patient can stand it, but il it causes coldnes
and shivering, Or blueness of the lips an
nails after leaving the water, it is doin
harm and should be discontinued
In Debility after fevers Qunine is tn
best remedy. 1t is much more effective !
solution than in pills or powders, becaus
the substance is very sparingly soluble i
the stomach, and the more soluble it can /
made the quicker it produces its effect o
the system.
1t should be discontinued or the dos
reduced, if it produces ringing in the ear
headache or bleeding at the nose.
Iron is most valuable remedy for Debi
ity, particularly in the case of yunng womei
or where there are evidences of poorness {
the blood. II is particularly indicated
An9mia, in weakness after Pleurisy and
}right's Disease. In some cases Iron tlo,
harm, but as a rule it works like a charm
! The Tincture of Steel is the strongest repa
alton, and the dose is from ten to fiftee
drops in II wine glass of water three times
day. The mildest preparation is the Uitrat
of Quinine and Iron, or the Citrate of Iro
j, and Ammonia, both of which are we
adapted to children, and are pleasant to III
taste. All preparations of Iron should |
taken Immediately after neal, and not q
an empty stomach.
ID GenLian is simple bitter tonic yer
eflcacions in cases where there is disturb
ance Of the stomach, such MS forbds the us
of lion, or where the appetite is poor.