Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1892-01-31
DOCTORS DISAGREE.
Three Theories About Catarrh.
Is Catarrh a Local, Constitu-
tionaI or Systemic Disease7
Discussed in a Lecture by DIR. S. y. Hart
man at the Surgical Hotel,
Columbus, Ohio.
Reported for tho 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 q local dis
ease This theory denies that catarrh is
caused either by any arrangement of the
system or by any constitutional faint, but
is solely limited 10 the part or parts which
ara visibly affected. The practitioners who
hold to this theory treat every case of
catarrh locally, and rarely, if ever, give
medicine internally. My opinion is, how
ever, that local applications can never cure
chronic catarrh. The various kinds and
modes of local applications, such as1sprays,
atomizers, douches, inhalants, fumigations,
creams, ointments, lotions, gargles, etc,
etc, have in many cases a soothing effect
on the inhamed surfaces, and are some
times useful to assist cure; but neither of
them nor all of together ever did
catarrh. These thugs may give tenn
porary relief, but is useless to expect
a cure of them. CatSrrh is not local dis
ease, hence can notlDe cured by local treat
ment.
The SECOND theory of the nature of ca
tarrh is, shat it a constitutional or blood
disease. N,hose3~ho believe this theory to
with bloodF hcines, hoping, by cleansing
the blood, tS$adicate the disease. Thus it
is that we iii certain class of physicians
hoping to Ct Scatarrh by the use of sarSa-
parillas, alttfa&ves. and various other COM
pounds to NearSe the system. While it is
TO doubt ne that many cases of chronic
catarrh De associated with or complicated
by constitutional diseases, such as scrofula,
erysipel&, syphilis, ete., yet catarrh Is dis
tinct frhfc them and Tan not be cured by
blood md hicines. OF codtse it is sometimes
necessary in cases wher6. the catarrh is
complicated by constitutional disease to
first cleo hse the system; butsven after this
is done thoroughly the catarrh remains the
same astever unless some specific for the
catarrhftself is used to complete the cure.
Catarrh is not a blood disease, hence can
not be cured by blood medicines.
The third theory is, that catarrh is a sys-
temic disease, and therefore requires per-
slstent internal treatment, sometimes for
many months, before permanent cure is
effected. l 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 a network of minute blood-ves-
sels called capillaries The capillaTies 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
vitality are calico the ''vaSa-mOtor'' nerves.
Any medicine to reach the real difficulty and
exert 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 by the action of proper rem
edy they restore to the capillary vessels of
the various mucous membranes of the body
their normal elasticity. Then, and only
then, will the catarrh be permanently
cured. Thus it will be seen that catarrh is
not blood disease, as many suppose, but
rather q disease of the mucous blood YES
sells. This explains why it is that so many
excellent blood medicines 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.
l 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-ru-na is not temporary palliative, but
a radical cure.
If the chronic catarrh be of a mild char
acter, take tablespoonful of Pe-ru-na be-
fore each meal and at bedtime, and continue
1t without the least interruption until a
perfect cure is effected. But if the disease
is of long standing, and there is much hawk
ing 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 va
riety chat is, forming large, dry scabs in
the nose, or when the breath is very often
sive from the ulcerating going on under the
scabs), the dose should be increased TO
three tablespoonfuls before. each meal. In
this and all other chronic diseases, should
the bowels be dry or constipated. take a
sufficient dose of Man-a-lin at bedtime to
produce one natural passage of the bowels
each day.
Anyone desiring further particulars
should write The Pe-ru-na Drug Manufact-
uring Co. of Columbus. O., for u free copy
of The Family Physician No. pa most ad-
mirable treatise on acute and chronic ca
tarrh, coughs colds, Ia grippe, and all other
climatic diseases of winter