Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-04

stared Succ1nctly Hnd without Comment,
From Which You Can Draw Your Own
Conclusions. -
1t is universally admitted that consumption
presents the greatest difficulty which confronts
the physician. No disease not an epidemic Is
so generally dreaded-no disease presents so
many accompanying functional arrangements
OF the entire system. The word consumption in
Its general sense means a consuming. decay
ing or wasting away of the lungs. To the physi-
clan 1t is important to ascertain the peculiar
kind OF consumption which affects his patient.
1t is necessary, therefore, that he be informed
of the habits, employments, etc., of his patient
Is it bronchitis? Is it disease of the lung sub
stance itself? He must then treat it as the
Peculiar CONDITIONS may require: There are
forms of consumption, though, which find their
exciting cause from the presence of irritating
particles in the lung substance, inhaled from the
mote-laden atmosphere in shops, mines, factories
etc, and to which stone cutters. cutters. coal
miners. knife grinders, brass workers, saw
makers, etc., are liable. This form is known as
chronic fbroid consumption, and is due to par
t1cles OF hne dust being carried in the inspired
air and on its way to the little air cells depos-
tied in the meshes OF the fine velvety coating
of the large and small air tubes and air cells,
causing irritation. short, hacking cough and
sinking deeper and deeper into the soft tissue,
inducing Inflammation which involves the
glands muscles, nerves. air cells and blood ves-
sells, and finally extending to the substance of
the lungs AS the infiammatory process ex-
tends more and more the normal lung tissue is
changed into a hard fibrous substance and a
air cells takes place.
After time this metamorphic tissue softens
and degenerates into pus, which may appear in
the sputa or be absorbed into the lyInphatic
system, causes in the late stages evening fevers
night sweats. loss of flesh cough dyspeptic symp-
toms, general debility and shortness of breath.
or course, with the formation of pus there are
cavities which gradually increase, and in time
involve the whole of one or even both lungs, or
at least destroy enough lung substance TO cause
death.
halation of irritating fumes in their laborato-
ries. Then there is the tubercle bacillus a
minute parasite which generates and multi
plies with astonishing fecundity, causing
TUBERCULAR CONSUMPTION.
These cluster in spots, and by their feeding
upon inhamed,s softened and relaxed lung tis-
sue, form cavities or holes in the lungs.
From the report of the pathoIogists to the
New York Board of Health, just published. we
are able to give the latest facts concerning this
disease. About one-fourth of ali deaths oc-
curing during adult lite are caused by con-
sumption. living germ called the tubercle
bacillus is the cause OF t1bercular consumption
this is demonstrated fact. tuberculosis
can only be caused by the entrance of the germ
into the body, so the old theory of hereditary
consumption Is exploded; but transmitted
liability renders the individual a more easy
prey to the living germs when once they have
gained entrance.
The Tubercuar Congress which met in PARIS
last year were unanimous in declaring:
First-That consumption is contagious that
it can be transmitted from man to ANIMALS and
from animals back to man through milk and
meat. 1t is also communicated from person to
person by the saliva, sputa, etc.
Second-That consumption can be prevented,
the means of prevention being scrupulous
cleanliness regarding the sputa, hence con-
sumptives should keep at hand a covered vessel
to expectorate in, or better, use cloths. which
should be instantly burned.
Third-That the chief hope for:consumptives
lIes in climatic treatment, aided by good nour-
ishing food and medication. Right here ia
where the beneficial effects of the Pneumatic
Cabinet treatment is shown. In the cabiaet tha