The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-11-21

President Surgical Hotel, Columbus, ".
Two of the best known writer's and
specialists on chronic catarrh in this
country are the editor of Modern Medi-
cine" and DIR. Hartman, of Columbus,
Ohio. They are both prolific writers,
and their opinions are quoted In thou
sands of newspapers; and their publica-
tons, especially in pamphlet form. are
to he found in every hamlet and city
in the United States.
The editor of Modern Medicine" re-
ceived special training in Vienna and
Berlin, and has stood for the surgical
treatment of chronic catarrh of the
nose and throat, holding surgical means,
in point of Importance, above internal
indications; while Dr. Hartman has, for
the past forty years, been a persistent
advocate of internal indications.
In n late issue of Modern Medicine"
the editor states that, like others of the
same school with himself, he had made
extensive Use of the actual cautery,
the saw, the gouge and the cutting burr
for the destruction of the thickened
structures within the nasal ciyity, and
likewise employed powerful astringent
drugs, both mineral and vegetable, as
means or reducing so-called catarral in
Illumination. But more extended observa-
ton has greatly weakened our faith In
the means of the sort mentioned. Tenn
pOrary results are easily obtained, but
the same causes which produced the dis
ease remaining in operation, the form
er conditions speedily recur."
After several years trial of the meth
DDS referred to, he was led to adopt the
following system of dealing with chronic
catarrhal affections:
Improvement of the patients vital re-
sistance and general tone by tonic treat
ment.
The application TO the affected parts
of vapor liquid vaselne, on account OF
the excessive dryness of the mucous
membranes.
Revulsive applications to those areas
of the skin which are in special relation
to the affected mucous membrane; the
skin Of the face and the back of the
neck being thus associated. through the
vasa-motor centers, with the pituitary,
pharyngeal and laryngeal membranes.
Catarrhal diseases and their treatment
have become of so much Importance to
the people Of the United States that our
reporter undertook to find out what DIR.
Hartman's views on this subject were.
If it he a fact, as the editor of Mod
ern Medicine" has stated, that the treat
ment of chronic catarrh is not local treat
ment to the parts affected, but gem
eral toning up of the system by internal
medication. and with the use Of such
simple applications as liquid vaseline
and hot and cold water the public ought
to know it. In order to get further au-
thority on the subject, DIR. Hartman,
President of the Surgical Hotel, Column
bus, Ohio. was interviewed. The re-
porter asked:
Il suppose you have read the article
in Modern Medicine" on the treatment
of chronic catarrh 2"
YES" the Doctor replied, 81 have
read it; and, in the main, agree with it.
| have been long contending against
surgical interference in cases of catarrh-
al indurations and growths. / have
stated many times that persistent intern
al treatment, advised in my pamphlets,
will entirely remove these indurati0ns;
that no vapor should be used in the treat
ment of catarrh except the vapor Of pure
OF. I believe that the addition of any
thing else to any inhalant or vapor
treatment win do more harm than good.
'The vapor of pure coal oil alone to
counterfeit and correct the unnatural
heat or dryness of the diseased mucous
membrane is the only local application
/ allow. ! am pleased to note that the
author of 'Modern Medicine" is on the
right track, and that his vast expert
ence in the treatment of catarrh has
confirmed in so great degree the claims
have been making for the last forty
years.
The. reporter again asked: "What is
your opinion as to the relation of the
nervous system to chronic catarrh? l
notice that the author of Modern Medi-
cine' makes q good deal of this claim"
The Doctor replied: "Again / agree
with the author of the article that there
is a most intimate relation between the
vasa-motor nerve centers and the mu-
cous membrane, which is the seat of
chronic catarrh. DR.. Sunny, of our
surgical staff, has made this subject a
special study, and his practical expert
ence in the treatment Of cases at the
Surgical Hotel, puts him in a position
to speak with authority. | will refer
you TO him if you wish to pursue these
inquiries further.
Accordingly DIR. Sunny was visited
by the reporter, who asked: "Have
you any objection to stating for publica-
ton your opinion as to some phases Of
chronic catarrhW
The doctor replied: "None whatever.
What do you wish to askY
at was in reference to the question
as to the relation of the nervous system
to chronic catarrh. 1t is not generally
thought by the public that the cOndi-
ton of the nervous system has anything
whatever to do with chronic catarrh.
/ would like your opinion on the sub
ject."
DIR. Sunny replied: "Well, it would
seem at first thought, that the nerves
have nothing to do with the matter;
but, on the contrary, the nerves have
everything to do with this subject. The
mucous membranes are made up almost
entirely Of . net work Of capillary
blood-vessels. These blood-vessels are
provided with elastic coats which allow
| enough blood to enter them. but also