The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-03-08
CURING CONSERVATIVES.
Benefits Derived from the Proper Employ
ment of Creosote.

Benefits Derived from the Proper Employ
ment of CreosOte.
Consumption is now combated by
many specialists using creosote. The
benefit derived from the proper EN-.
ployment of this drug is hardly cues
tionable. DR.. Warner, consulting ply
stefan in the French hospital, New
York city, writes: During some
what extensive employment of this
remedy in phthisis for the past four
years, both in hospital and in private
practice, have watched with great en-
enlargement the steady gain in the re-
suits obtained; but it has been only
during the latter half of the time that
the positive value of creosote as an
agent for combating most power
fully the effects of this disease
has been made apparent. For
merly my custom was to admin
lister the drug in small doses, excep-
tionally giving more than six Or eight
minims daily. During the last couple
of years, however, the doses have been
largely increased with correspondingly
better results" Some specialists ex-
plain the favorable action of creosote
in lessening the bronchial secretion
and improving the appetite. Other OBJ
servers, however, believe in distinc.
lively curative value of the remedy.
DR.. Warner writes: 1.-THE general con-
dition of the patient, as rule, rapidly
improves; in some cases the appetite is
better, the cough at first becomes
less during the day while remaiE-
ing quite as before during the night;
after q time, however, it also les
sens at night. If the sputum has been
tinged with blood. this condition dis
appears, contrary to what might be
expected, as creosote is said to longest
the bronchial mucous membrane; and
while at first the sputum is not much
lessened, if at all, it's character is
changed; from being thick and yellow
-muco-purulent, in fact-it becomes
thinner, frothy and contains less solid
matter. In no case where previously
attacks of hemoptysis (spitting of
blood had occurred have they taken
place after the creosote treatment has
been established. The night sweats
grow less, and in many cases entirely
disappear, and after awhile there is a
total absence of the daily fever. The
weight of the patient always in.
creases at first, then is apt to
remain stationary, and in excep-
tional cases may lessen, and then a
gradual Iincrease takes place. The
first increase in weight is no doubt due
to the improvement in appetite and the
greater ability of the patient to prop
erly assimilate the food consumed"
Large amounts of creosote may be re-
retained without discomfort-one of
DR.. Warmers patients reaching a
daily amount of two hundred and
fifteen minims. A valuable aid to the
internal administration of creosote is
found by the coincident use of antisep-
tic inhalations of creosote. "My GUS
tom is to use creosote combined either
with terebene or ether in fifty-per-
cent solution, ten or fifteen minims
dropped on the sponge of Robinsons
inbalor, and employed every second or
third hour; and in some instances where
marked benefit has been derived from
the employment Of this measure, the re-
spiratoT has been worn almost con-
stantly," is the testimony of the dog
tor. He tried, also the effect, in a
large ward of a hospital, of allowing
an antiseptic mixture to simmer gen
tly over low fire during the night.
This mixture GENERALLY consisted Of
oil of eucalyptus, carbolic acid and
turpentine. A drachm each of the first
two and two drachms of the last were
put in about quart of water in
shallow dish, and heat applied. The
effect was to fill the ward with pun
gent, aromatic vapor which has a
markedly restful action, coughing be-
ing not nearly so general or frequent.
Journal.