Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-08-08
CATARRH.

CATARRH.
The term Catarrh is applied to peculiar dis
order OF the nostrils and adjacent parts, which
prevails to an alarming extent, and is product
i've OF very serious consequences.
The most prominent and characteristic fea-
| ture is morbid discharge from the head vary
| ing in its nature at different times. In some
there is an almost constant flow of clear. acrid
| fluid, but oftener an offensive, purulent, or
muco- -purulent, greenish-yellew matter is se-
creted, which accumulates in the nostrils or
drops into the throat, necessitating its frequent
removal by blowing the nose or eXpector alton,
| and often by both processes. onetimes pa
| tients feel as though their whole head was in a
state OF rottenness SO great is the amount of
matter discharged and SO fetid is its odor. The
patient is greatly annoyed by the constant drop
| ping into the throat of the morbid m after from
the head, and as recumbent position natur-
| ally favors the flow downward, his rest is fre-
quently disturbed from this cause. Many suffer-
| erf are obliged to lie with the head very much
elevated in order to sleep with some degree
| of comfort.
In others, tough, viscid and offensive phlegm
collects behind and above the soft palate, in
the passage between the throat and head, ad-
herring to the parts with gluish tenacity. Its
Judgement embarrasses respiration and creates
| sensation of irritation and uneasiness in the
and almost irresistible desire to relieve the dis
comfort by drawing the mucus into the throat,
so as to eject it by the mouth. This practice,
popularly known as "hawking," is Character
istic OF catarrh, and proves as embarrassing to
the one affected as it is disagreeable to those
around him.
Again, the offensive matter hardens and de-
| posts itself on the membrane in the shape of
| dry, hard cOncretions, which are discharged by
way of the nostrils or throat in Jumps or frag-
ments of deep green tint In some cases
these incustrations accumulate to such an ex-
tent as to form regular plug in the nose,
which obstructs breathing and produces serious
discomfort. So firmly do these incrustations
| adhere to the point of attachment that their re-
moval usually requires the most violent efforts;
not unfreQuently they have to be torn from the
membrane. Occasionally solid cast of nota-
BILE size is expelled, on which there are general
ly traces of blood, but in some cases the cast
shape of the nasal cavity. This condition is in.
dicativc of liberation, which, in time may des-
troy the bony structure of the nose and produce
subsequent f1attening of that organ.
Cases are occasionally met with in which a
thick, viscid, Shiny secretion coats the men,
brane Of the nasal cavities, and then putrifies,
giving rise to stencil which is really overpow-
ering and sufficiently fetid to poison the atmos-
phere of whole room; and there are others in
which all the secretions of the mem mbrane are
suspended, causing an unpleasant feeling of
dryness, heat and teverishness in the head and
nose-a condition popularly known as DRY
The disease speedily extends to the air cayi-
ties OF the bones OF the forehead and face, CIV
ing rise to a distressing sensation of heavy
weight or compression over the forehead, espe-
cially in the region above and between the
eyes, and to feeling OF fullness, heat, irrita-
ton, soreness, or pain in the nostrils near the
the throat, above and behind the soft palate
Sometimes there is pain obstinately fixed in
some particular part, as in the temple, on the
top of the head, at the back of the neck, or be-
hind the orbits, and occasionally pain mani
tests itself in the face of SO severe character
that it is frequently mistaken for neuralgia.
sumes an exceedingly fetid and sickening odor
In some cases it becomes SO revoltingly offen-
sive as to render the sufferer an object of dis
gust to himself as well as to others.
The nasal membrane is thiCkened and cOY,-
gested, causing the nose to be stopped up, some
times on one side. sometimes on the other. and
stuffy sensation in the head, and occasionine
violent and prolonged paroxysms of sneezing.
The voice is weak, indistinct and husky, OF of
quality. Oftentimes there is continuous
hOarseness and discordauce. There is also a
sense of irritation in the throat and frequent
attempts to clear the parts of phlegm, prOduc-
ing the sound men," more or less forcibly In
some cases patients complain of an uncomfort-
ba ape bbeepg @ OF m OF choky sensation in
most constant dryness for the temporary relief
of which they have to swallow frequently.
Others, again, speak of a constant bad or nause-
GUS taste in the mouth or throat.
The stomach generally suffers more or less,
and becomes weak and irritable, the appetite is
ing. The patient is languid, unable to perform
mental or physical labor with the usual facility,
Is nervous, depressed in spirits, at times fearful
timid, agitated and inclined to drowsiness and
sleep, the memory weakened and permanent
impairment seriously threatened.
The mucuOus membrane soon becomes NOR
bidly sensitive to unfavorable influences, and in
spite of the utmost care becomes affected from
the eslightest causes SO that breath of wind upon
the Innings of the nose or throat, becomes pro-
ductlve OF cold, and gives rise to serious dis
turbances OF the respiratory organs Thus the
patient is subject to frequent and repeated
colds, each attack aggravating the disease by
giving it a new impulse, and involving a larger
extent OF surface than its predecessor. In this
manner the difficulty spreads from organ to or
gan, invading the throat larnyx, trachea and
bronchial tubes, until, encroach1ng further and
further: 1t reaches the finer ramifcatiOns OF the
bronchi, when but slight impulse is required
20 @ seno az. ~ 10 me lungs GataIrh may, ana often
those containing mucous membrane, such as
the stomach, bowels, kidneys. etc.
OF IN ba r and
medicated vapOr mot steam or spray we are
able to produce immediate and direct action
upon the diseased surface in the lsrnyx and
into the remotest and intricate cavities, where
it is utterly impossible to make fluid applica-
Persons desiring treatr ent by this system of
practice can use the remedies at home as well
as at our office, and which will cause no incon-
venience or hindrance from business whatever.
have seen SO many OF these cases cured that
do not consider any case hopeless, unless both
lungs are seriously involved Even then the
inhalations aid us in dissolving the mucus and
in contracting and healing the cavities, which
nothing can do with the same success.
The very best reference from those already
cured.
CONSULTATION FREE.
Those who desire to consult with me In regard
| to their cases had better call at the office for
consultation and examination, but If inpos-
| sible to do 80. can write for Q copy Of my
Medical Treatise, containing list of questions.
Address
M. HILTON WILLIAMS, M. D.,
HoLLENBECK BLOCK.
Corner Second and Spring sts., Los Angeles.
ONCE houns-S:3O A. \. to 6:30P.N.