Los Angeles daily herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1884-1890, 1886-07-06
cATARRH.

The term Catarrh Is applied 70 peculiar
disorder OF the nostrils and adjacent parts,
which prevails to an alarming extent. and
10 productive OF very serious consequences.
The most prominent and characteristic
feature IL q morbid discharge from the
head, varying in Its nature at different
times.
Iu some there 10 an almost constant dow
Of clear, acrid huid, but oftener an offensive,
purulent or mucO purulent, greenish yell
low matter Ia secreted, which accumulates
In the nostrils or drops into the throat,
necessitating its frequent removal by blow
ing the nose or expectoration, and often by
both processes. Sometimes patients feel as
though their whole head was In q stats of
rottenness, SO great 10 the amount Of matter
discharged and SO fBtid Is its 0dor. The
patient II greatly annoyed by the constant
dropping into the throat of the morbid
matter from the head, and a. reoumbent
position naturally favors the flow down
ward, his rest is frequently disturbed from
lie with the head verv much elevated In
order TO sleep with some degree of comfort
In others, a tough, viscid and offensive
phlegm collects behind and above the pal
ate. In the passage between the throat and
head, adhering to the parts with gluish
tenacity. Its lodgment embarasses respira-
ton and creates sensation OF irritation
and uneasiness In the affected locality,
Bile desire TO relive the discomfort BY draw
ing the mucus into the throat so rs to eject
i BY the mouth. Thss Practice. populsrly
known as hawking" Is characteristic OF
catarrh, and proves as embarrassing to the
one affected as II is disagreeble to those
Again the offensive mater hardens aud
deposits itself on che membrane In the
shape OF dry. hard concretions. which are
discharged BY way o. the nostrils or throat r.,
In some cases these incrustations accumu-
late TO such an extent ~ to form regular
plug In the nose. which obetructs breathing
and produces serious discomfort. So
hrmly do these fncrustati0ns adhere to the
point of attachment that their re noval
usually requires the most violent efforts
net untrequently they have TO be torn from
the membrane. Occasionally solid cast
Of notable size is G spelled. on which there
are generally traces of blood. but In some
cases the cast presents a tubular appear.
ance, being of exact shape of the nasal
cavity. This condition Is indicative of uls-
eration. which, In time may destroy the
su ubsequent hsttening OF that organ.
Cases are occasionally met with In which
. thick, viscid. slimy secretion coats the
membrane of the nasal cavities and then
putrefes, giving rise to v stencil which Is
really overpowering, and sufficiently fetid
10 poison the atmosphere OF = whole room,
and there are 0theas tn which all the secre-
tions of the membrane are suspended.
causing an unpleasant feeling OF dryness.
heat and feyerishness In the head and nose
"a condition popularity known as DRY
Catarrh."
The disease speedily extends to the air
cavities Of the bones 81 the forehead aud
Of heavy weight or compression over the
forehead, especially In the region above
and between the eyes, and to q feeling OF
fullness, heat. irritation. soreness or pain
well As ia the upper part OF the throat,
above and behind the soft palate. Some
times there is pain obstinately fixed in some
particular part. as In the temples. on the
TOP OF the head, at the back Of the neck. or
behind the orbids. and, occasionally, pain
manifests itself In the face OF SO severe =
character thst tits frequently mistaken for
neuralgia
The breath Is always tainted and at times
assumes an exceeding foetid and sickening
odor. In some cases 1t becomes so revolt
ingly offensive as to render the sufferer an
object of disgust to himself as well as to
others.
congested, causing the nose to be stopped
up. sometimes on one side, sometimes on
one side, sometimes on the other, and often
on both, giving rise to disagreeable stufy
sensation In the head. and o,casioning 10
violent and prolonged paroxysms OF sneez-
ing.
of a nasal character, displaying a sort OF
suifiing buality. oftentimes thero is a con-
is also a sense OF Irritation In the throat,
and frequent attempts TO clear the parts OF
phlegm, producing the sound them" more
or Iess fortibly. In some cases patients
complain Of an uncomfortable feeling Of
fulness, or choky sensation in the throat.
and in Others of distressing and almost
constant dryness, for the temporary relief
OF which they have to swallow frequently.
Others, again. speak OF constant bad or
nauseous taste in the mouth or throat.
The stomach generally suffers more or
less and become weak and irritable; the ap-
petite is capricious and nearly always bad
In the morning. The patient Is. languid.
with the usual facility, is nervous, do
pressed in spirits, at times fearful. timid,
aRitated and inc ined to drowsiness and
sleep; the memory weakened and perma-
nenf impairment seriously threatened.
The mucous membrane soon becomes
morbidiy sensitive TO unfavorable infiu-
ences and in spite OF the utmost care be-
comes affected from the slightest causes. so
that II last breath of wind upon the lining
OF the nose or throat becomes productive Of
q cold. and gives rise to serious disturb
ances of the respiratory organs. Thus the
patient Is subject 10 frequent and repeated
colds, each attack aggravating the disease
larger extent than its predecessor. In this
manner the dithculty spreads from or
gan to organ, invading the throat lar
ynx, trachea and bronchial tubes un-
til, encroaching further and further. 1t
reaches the finer ramifcations of the
bronchi. when but a slight impulse is re-
quired to send II to tae lungs. Catarrh may,
and often does, affect other organs in the
body, especially those containing mucous
membrane. such as the stomach, bowels,
kidneys. etc.
Thus catarrh becomes the starting point
OF consumptlve development, the disease
being eventually transmitted 10 the lungs,
both by nervous connection and continuity
OF surface.
so frequently has this fatal course been
noticed that all those who are thoroughly
conversant with the subject now look upon
catarrh as premonition and one OF the
very earliest manifestations Of consump-
tion.
Every case of catarrh is eursbie II prop
erly treated.