The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-12
Ladies and Gentlemen:

Ladies and Gentlemen:
In the lectures that have preceded
this one we have followed chronic ca
tarrh through the various passages and
cavities of the nose, head and throat;
and have finally reached the lungs.
When catarrh reaches THE lungs it be-
comes what is popularity known as con-
sumption. While the catarrh was in
the head, it was probably called ca
tarrh. When it reached the throat,
however, it was called by various
names, such as tonsilftis, pharyngitis,
laryngitis, etc. But, as we have AL
ready learned, it is the same old ca
tarrh.
When I tell patient he has catarrh
of the lungs, the same catarrh that he
used to have in the head or throat lit
is easy for him to understand what I
mean.
But If tell him he has phthisis or
tuberculosis 1 have only mystified him.
"a lady rose 10 ask: Does catarrh
OF the head or throat always precede
catarrh of the iungs?)
1t is my opinion that it does OF
course, there are some cases where the
existence of catarrh had not been sus-
pected before the consumption de-
veloped But my experience i'm this
very class of cases leads me to believe
| that careful examination of the case
| would have revealed the existence of
| catarrh.
AS soon as chronic catarrh reaches
| the lungs proper, that is to say, the air
| cells, 1t produces in these delicate cells
| tho same condition of the mucous men,
brane that 1T produced in the head and
| throat. The membrane Is thickened,
| the mucus secreted by the membrane
becomes abundant and thick. The air.
| cells are Immediately filled with this
| secretion, part of which may be coughed
up but mostly 1t remains in the cell ITO
| dry up and become a cheesy mass, called
| tubercles.
"a doctor asked: do you, then, re-
gard tubercles al effect Of consumption
| rather than cause?o
| 1 do. In this opinion I am aware
that l am at variance with many medi-
cal authorities. but my extensive expe-
| rience in thesa cases has confirmed me
in this matter. Tubercles are simply
| the dried masses of catarrhal secretion
| left in the air cells.
| Allow me to illustrate my subject by
| a converse ton with a patient before
| you. l will ask Mrs. Eliza Heinzle, of
this city, who has just applied to us for
| treatment, to step forward We have,
| in her case a Well-marked example of
consumption in the second stage.
| will ask her few questions before you
all. as to the development of her dis
| ease, which will serve better to Illus
trate my theory of these cases than
| anything else could say
First, l wish you to notice that her
cheeks are slightly flushed, a little red
| der than normal This Is a very de-
ceptive symptom, as it often leads peo-
| pie to suppose that the patient Is in
| unusually good health. You VIII no.
tice that the eyes are very clear and
unusually large, somewhat inclined to
| bulge, and rather anxious in express
sion.
! The nostrils are slightly dilated the
mouth somewhat pinehed, surrounded
| by the zone of paleness which Is so
| Characteristic of consumption. Her
| cheek bones indicate that she is losing
| flesh, and you will notice that her voice
IS quite harsh and loud when she talks.
Mrs. Heinzle, will you please tell me
how long you have considered yourself
| sick?
Il noticed the first symptoms about
| a year ago."
What was the beginning of your ILL
ness?
81 caught a heavy cold, which seemed
to settle in my head"
What We're the symptoms that the
| cold produced in your head?
"a full, puffy feeling in the forehead,
| stoppage of the nose, with some dis
charge, which very soon produced hawk
ing and splitting of thick mucus. which
| came from the DdCk pdHl VI unS ISS0 VI
| upper part of the throat"
How long did this continue before
you noticed other symptoms?
| st don't remember exactly, but I
think lit was about six months"
Well what were the next symptoms
you experienced?
"As near as 1 can remember. six
months after I took the cold 1 began
to be slightly hoarse. This grew worse,
and I finally commenced to cough.
But the cough seemed tight and I spit
up very small quantities of thick,
| stringy mucus, which was sometimes
streaked with blood"
Did you notice any loss Of flesh ait
this time?
Eyes: 1 had lost about ten pounds"
Had you any pain?
st had stitches of pain, especially on
the left side, close up to the collar
bone"
Did you notice any difference in the
yes; the left collar bone seemed to
be higher and more prominent than
the right one"
I wish to call the attention of the
| physicians who are present to the an
swer that this lady has just given. Con-
sumption, except such cases as follow
pneumonia, developes first at the top of
the left lung. This Immediately pro.
duces a hollow place under the left
clavicle, which makes the clavicle look
as If 1T were more prominent than the
right one from the shrinking away of
the lung underneath. This Is very
characteristic symptom of the early
stages of consumption.
Did your cough continue to grow
worse?
| Il csn,t say that 1T grew amy worse;