The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-12-11
HACKING OR TICKLING COUGH.

The physiological explanation Of that dis
tressing affection can be summarized as follows:
In tho case of common catarrhs the disease
germs have found lodging in the upper lObes
OF the lungs, generally so near the upper ex-
tremity that the puTulent product can be
eOughed up without much effort. Now and
then, however, catarTh microbes manage TO
penetrate to the interior tissues Of the lungs,
giving rise TO cOugestiOns that threaten to in
Nitrate the entire pulmonary apparatus Till the
progress Of infection assumes the form Of that
chronic disorder known as tubeTculaF consump-
ton. To Obviate that risk the organism never
ceases its efforts 70 discharge the accommodating
virus through all intervening tissues with one
Of the two following results Either the irrita-
ton ceases, breathing becomes deeper and
freer. as a proof that the absCess has dried up,
or the lungs find relief by the sudden discharge
Of accumulated matter, as a sign that the virus
has eaten its way through to the extremity OF
the tissue, where its expectOratiOn can be
effected with less difficulty. In the latter case
the chest feels sore for day or two, but if the
expeetoratiOn decreases, together with the
cough, the patient may congratulate himself
on having escaped the alternative Of chronic
tuberculosis. II the soreness continues and a
frequent cough is accompanied by feeling Of
general exhaustion the indications Of ineipient
consumption are plain enough without the adj
dition Of hemOrrhage from the lungs, a symp-
tom which, in some cases, is wanting altogether
EmaciatiOn and shortness Of breath are much
more Characteristic signs, especially il the
patient is apt to feel dizzy on light exertion
lifting moderate weights or walking up hilI)
or becomes subject to night sweats and fever
ish pulse-especially in the evening. It has
also been noticed that the first stage of tuber-
culOsis is marked by curious change in the
temper Of the patient-a fretfulness or restless
ness, which, in the language of instinct, may
express an appeal for timely removal TO q
different climate. Hacking cough, however
is still the most suggestive symptom of a dis
ease which, if durable at al, can be cured only
in the earlier stages Of its development.
Chronic cough, accompanied by the above
described tickling sensation in the interior Of
the lungs, should. indeed, never be slighted,
and in addition 10 the chief specifc-pure, cool
air-the following adjuyant remedies should be
tried without loss of time: A nutritious semi
fluid diet, rich in oily and saccharine elements.
Fat is lung food, and it is not impossible that
the remarkable immunity of the natives of
the Arctic Zone, where pulmonary cOnsump-
ton is almost unknown, has q good deal to do
with their peculiar bill of fare. Sugar in some
of its forms, agrees, however, much better with
non-Polar stOmachs, and has undoubtedly re-
markable effect in lOOseniug the phlegm Of
malignant catarrhs. That circumstance ex-
plains the effectiveness of numerous cough
medicines (treacle and mystifyiug lavors. most
Of them) but the same result can be achieved
at n trihing expense by pint of simple sirup-
white sugar dissolved in water and boiled down
to the consistency Of honey. French physi-
clans often prescribe grape-eure for the same
purpose, and claim that in that way the stOm-
aehs Of southlandsrs can absorb a quantity Of
saccharine fluids that wonld sicken them in any
other form. With or without the latter con-
tingeney the remedy is worth trying if it
proves efiicaciOus in relieving the difficulty OF
expectoratiOn and thus Obviates the risk Of
disruptures in the tissues of the lungs as q con-
sequence Of violent coughing. An excellent
mechanical specific is light arm exercise-saw-
ing. swinging dumb-bells, operating hoe a
griHdstOne handle or cutting wood with light
AK. Exercise Of that sort should never be
continued TO the extreme Of exhaustion, and
should be stopped as soon as il has answered its
purpose by easing the process of respiration, q
result which will generally be noticed after
20 minutes Of light work.
Ito be eoHtinusdl