Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1894-04-18
.caEosorE AND CONSUMPTION.
he Drug Would Seem to BE Able to Mas.
ter the Disease.

ter the Disease.
Consumption is now combated by
many specialists using creosote. The
benefit derived from the proper employ
ment of this drug is hardly questiona-
bic. DR.. Warner, consulting physician
| to tho French hospital, New York city,
writes to The Medical Journal: dur
Ing somewhat extensive employment
Of this remedy in phthisis for the past
four years, both in hospital and in pri-
vate practice, | have watched with
great encouragement the steady gain in
the results 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 powerfully
the effects of this disease has been made
apparent. Formerly my custom was to
administer the drug in small doses, ex-
ceptionally giving more than six or eight
nlinins daily. During the last couple
of years, however, the doses have been
largely increased with correspondingly
better results. . Some specialists ex-
rlaia the favorable action of creosote in
iesSsaing the bronchial secretion and
improving the appetite. Other observ-
ers, however, believe in distinctively
curative value of the remedy.
Dr. Warner writes: 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 daytime, while remaining
quite as before during the night. After a
time, however, it also lessons at night.
Ii the sputum has been tinged with |
blood, this condition disappears, con-
trary to what might be expected, as Gre
osote is said to congest the bronchial
mucous membrane, and while at first
the sputum is not much lessened, if at
all, its character is changed-from be-
ing thick and yellow w-muco-purulent,
in fact-it becomes thinner, f1othy 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 estab-
lished. 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 pa.
tient always increases at first, then it is
apt to remain stationary, and in excep-
tional cases may lessen, and then grad
ual increase takes place. The first in
crease in weight is no doubt due to the
in appetite and the great
er ability Of the patient to properly as
5imilate the food consumed -
q 1 |
tanned without discomfort, one Of DIR.
WaTnor's patients reaching a daily
amount Of 215 minims A valuable aid
to the internal administration of creo-
soto is found by the coincident use of
antiseptic inhalatlons of creosote. My
custom is to use creosote combined Ell
;her with terebene or ether in a so per :
cent solution, 10 or Is minims dropped
IN the sponge Of a Robinson's inhaler,
and employed every second or third
hour, and in some instances where
marked benefit has been derived from
he employment of this measure the
esplrator has been worn almost con-
: IS the testimony of the DOCTOR,
He tried also the erect, III iI large
yard of hospital, of allowing an an
iseptic mixture to simmer gently over
! low fire during the night. This mix
ure generally consisted of oil of euea=
yptus. carbolic acid and turpentine.
\ dram each of the first two and two
Irams of the last were put in about
uart of water in shallow dish and J
ieat applied. The effect was to fill the
yard with pungent, aromatic vapor,
which has markedly restful action,
oughing being not nearly SO general or .
requent, -New York Ledger.