Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-01-31
DOCTORS DISAGREE.
THREE THEORIES ABOUT cATARRH
is CATARRH A LOCAL, CONSTITUTION
Al, OR SYSTEMIC DIsEA
Discussed In Lecture by DIR. s. B. Hartman
at the Surgical Hotel, Columbus, o.
REPoRTED FOR THE PRESS.

REPORTED FOR THE PRESS
There are three distinct theories held by
| the medical profession as to the nature OF
| the disease known as catarrh. Each OF
| them is believed and taught by different
physicians of eminence and equal learning.
| Briefly stated, they are as follows.
First-That chronic catarrh is local dis
ease. This theory denies that catarrh is
caused either by any arrangement OF the
] system or by any constitutional taint, but
is solely limited to the part or parts which
are visibly affected. The practitioners who
hold to this theory treat every case of ca
tarrh locally, and rarely, if ever, give medi-
cine internally. My opinion is, however,
| that local applications can never cure
| chronic catarrh. The various kinds and
modes of local applications, such as sprays,
atomizers, douches, inhalants, fumiga-
| tions, creams, ointments, lotions, gargles,
| ETC., etc, have in many cases a soothing
effect on the inhamed surfaces, and are
sometimes useful to assist a cure; but
neither of them nor all of them together
ever did or ever will cure case of catarrh
These things may give temporary relief, but
it is useless to expect cure of them. Ca
tarrh is not local disease, hence cannot be
cured by local treatment.
The second theory of the nature of catarrh
is, that it is a constitutional or blood dis
ease. Those who believe this theory to be the
true one treat chronic catarrh onlv with blood
medicines, hoping, by cleansing the blood,
to eradicate the disease. Thus it is that we
find certain class of physicians hoping to
cure catarrh by the use of sarsaparillas, al
teratives, and various other compounds to
cleanse the system. While it is 10 doubt
true that many cases of chronic catarrh are
associated with or complicated by constitu-
tional diseases, such as scrofula, erysipelas,
syphilis, ETC., vet catarrh is distinct from
them and cannot be cured by blood medi-
cines. OF course, it is sometimes necessary
in cases where the catarrh is complicated by
constitutional disease to first cleanse the
system; but even after this is done thor
oughly the catarrh remains the same as ever
unless some specific for the catarrh itself is
used to complete the cure. Catarrh is not a
blood disease, hence cannot be cured by
blood medicines.
The third theory is, that catarrh is
systemic disease, and therefore requires pee
sistent internal treatment, sometimes for
many months, before permanent cure is
effected. 1 believe this theory to be the
correct one. The mucous lining of the cav
tiles of the head, throat, lungs, ETC., are
made up of network of minute blOod-ves-
sells called capillaries. The capillaries are
very small elastic tubes, which, in all cases
of chronic catarrh, are congested or bulged
out with blood so long that the elasticity of
the tubes is entirely destroyed. The nerves
which supply these capillaries with vitality
are called the "yasa-motor" nerves. Any
medicine to reach tfe real difficulty and ex-
ert the slightest curative action in any case
of catarrh must operate directly on the vasa-
motor system of nerves. AS soon as these
nerves become strengthened and stimulated |
hu ha of
restore to the capillary vessels of the various |
mucous membranes of the body their nor
NAL elasticity. Then, and only then, will |
the catarrh be permanently cured. Thus it |
will be seen that catarrh is not blood dis |
ease, as many suppose. but rather disease |
of the mucous blood vessels. This explains |
why it is that SO many excellent blood med |
icines utterly fail to cure catarrh.
The only hope of success in the permanent |
cure of a case OF chronic catarrh is to devise |
some remedy that will stimulate the nerves |
which supply the capillary blood vessels. 1
know of but one remedy that has this most |
desirable effect, and that remedy is Pe-ru-na. |
This remedy strikes at once the root of the |
catarrh BY restoring to the capillary vessels |
their healthy elasticity. Pe-Tu-na is not a |
temporary palliative, but radical cure.
If the chronic catarrh be of mild cha-- |
acter, take tablespoonful of Pe-ru-na be- |
fore each meal and at bedtime, and continue |
it without the least interruption until a |
perfect cure is effected. But if the disease /
is of long standing, and there is much !
and expectoration, begin with the |
above dose and gradually increase the dose
to two tablespoonfuls before each meal If |
the chronic catarrh is of the atrophic variety |
Chat is, forming large, dry scabs in the |
nose, or when the breath is very offensive |
from the liberation going on under the |
geahsA the dose should be increased TO three |