Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-06-13
Hay Fever.


CAUTERIZATION RECOMMENDED AS AN EFFECT
I'VE REMEDY.
Chicago Tribune Interview with Dr. E. F. ingalls,
The new remedy is in brief, the burning of the
mucous membrane of the nostrls with a red
hot needle. By the use of the new local anms-
thetc, hydrochlorate of cocaine, this operation
can be performed absolutely without pain or
danger, and even without the anpsthetic it is
not by any means as painful as one would i'm
asine-certainly nothing like as bad as having
a tooth drawn.
While it is true that certain irritants in the
alT-the pollen OF grasses, for instance-are the
cause of the malady, it has puzzled physicians
10 explain exactly why some individuals were
chronic sufferers from thedisease while others
equally exposed remained unaffected. The
generally accepted theory was that the disease
was of nervous origin. this theory being under
stood to refer vaguely to the whole nervous sys-
tesn recent discovery has shown that the
nervous tract involved is small and sharply de-
fined, and Is almost always located in certain
parts OF those interior sections of the nose
known as the septum and the turbinated bodies
This tract Is covered with sensitive nerves and
the 1rritants acting on these nerves produces
hay fever. The new theory is that by the eau
terlZation OF these nerves the irrltants cease to
have any effect. This treatment has been prac-
used by few physicians for the last year or SO,
ana Is SAID 10 have been successful in over SO
per cent OF the cases treated. The partial failure
in the other 20 per cent is attributed to an
paration Of cocaine has been discovered to be
an excellent palliative remedy, better than
anything hitherto used, and is recommended
while the disease Is active. DIR. Ingals' conclu-
sions, after heightened research and expert
ment, are as follows: First, nearly all case,
may be cured by systematic, thorough SUPER
fetal cauterization of the representative por-
tions of the nasal mucous membrane providing
the treatment is carried out during the inter,
walls between the attacks; second, the most
effective and least painful means of accomp-
fishing this Is by the galvano cautery; third,
care must be taken to treat every sensitive
spot, and not to cauteriZe too large surface at
once; fourth the operation may be made pain
less by proper use of hydrO-chIorate of CO.
caine; nth, in nervous subjects general treat
ment must not be neglected; sixth, cocaine will
De found 10 give much relief in cases of hay
lever, chronic coryZa, catarrh, etc.
The operation is simple and rapid First the
! sensitive spots are located with a flat probe
the patient always knows where they are. Then
small electrode or insulated point of Wire at
| tached to q small galvanic battery is inserted
cold into the nostril until it lightly touches the
sensitive spot. Then the electricity is turned
on. and the point OF the wire instantly becomes
red-hOt for IL traction of second, causing very
| slight superficial burn. This is repeated daily
until the whole sensitive tract is cauterZed
The operation will require from five to twenty
sittinSs to complete. The application of hydro
chlor;te OF cocaine III the noStrls prior to the
Insertion OF the electrode renders the operation
painless the plan being followed at the discre-
ton OF the patient. AS this aniesthetic is re-
ported TO be almost iabulously expensive the
doctor was asked about the cost. He said the
hydrOchlorate of cocaine averaged q cost to
him OF about So for each separate application.
From this TACT the reporter estimates the cost
OF having hay-fcVer permanently and painlessly
cured at from $50 to SIOU,