The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-03-29
D EvEL 0 PM ENT
OF
CONSUM PTION.
One of the Earliest Symptoms of
That Dread Disease is
G AT A n n I'll!
A Letter From DR. Lighthill.
WASHINGTON, March Z, 1891.


Mr.. EDITOR: The great mortality arising
from diseases of the respiratory organs is a
conceded fact, but it is not generally under
stood that nearly all the graver diseases of
the lower air passages take their origin and
rise from catarrh and affections of the throat,
and yet such is the case. neglected catarrh
of the head speedily extends itself to the
throat, from the throat the irritation is car
ried onward and downward toward the bron
chial tubes, and once arrived there none can
tell when tubercles may form, or how soon
bronchitis may end in consumption These
pernicious results take place so frequently
that the highest medical authorities of the day
agree in considering catarrh as one of the
chief and most frequent causes of consump-
ton. Some contend that it has a powerful
tendency to rouse into fatal activity any latent
predisposition which may lurk in the system
favorable to the development of tubercular
disease, while others regard catarrh in itself
as the very first manifestations of consump-
tion. All sides admit that diseased cond-
ton of the nasal passages and throat ser
ously impairs the functions of the lungs and
ultimately lays the foundation to pulmonary
troubles, and my own experience fully con-
firms these views.
Aside from it's irritating effects upon the
lungs, catarrh exercises a depressing, de-
biitating, and enervating effect upon the
entire system, under the continued influ-
ence OF which the strongest constitution
will in time break down. The patient is
unable to endure, resist, or defy the
changes Of the weather and temperature
and other unfavorable influences, and
thus one by one the vital powers give way
The mucous membrane becomes morbidly
sensitive, and in spite of the utmost care,
becomes affected from the slightest causes
SO that at last even a breath of wind upon
the lining of the nose or throat becomes
productive of a cold and gives rise to seri-
GUS disturbances of the respiratory or
gans Thus the patient is subject to fire.
quent and repeated colds, each one aggra-
waiting the disease by giving it new i'm
pulse, and attacking a larger extent
of surface than its predecessor. In this man
uer catarrh spreads from organ to organ, in
vading the throat and lower air passages,
until, encroaching further and further. il
finally reaches the lungs and ends in consump-
tion This lamentable result takes place so
frequently that it exhibits in most forcible
manner the great Importance of attending to
the catarrhal disease while it is vet confined
to the nasal cavities and throat To disregard
this warning is to invite the fatal inroads of
the most deadly scourge known to the human
race, whereas judicious course of treatment
employed in time wards off this source of
danger by uprooting the catarrhal disease and
restoring the affected parts to their normal
condition.
For over thirty years have devoted my ex-
elusive attention to the careful study and
scientific investigation of catarrh and diseases
OF the respiratory organs, and have succeeded
In formulating system of treatment which s
absolutely painless, prompt in its action, and
positively curative in its effects. From the
first application great benefit is experienced,
which continues from day to day until a final
and permanent cure is the result.
Respectfully yours,
A. P. Lighthill, M. D.,
SPECIALI6T,