The Republican journal., 1898-02-17
CONSUMPTION.
What Is It-HOw 1t Arises-And How 1t Is
Now Treated With Success.

What Is It-HOw 1t Arises-And How 1t Is
Now Treated With Success.
Extracts from DR.. Hunters Lectures on
the Progress of Medical Science in Lung
Diseases
Following the various forms of catarrhal
and bronchial disease which have de-
scribed, We come next to that lamenta BILE
complaint known to verybody under the
name of consumption. 1t is greatly dreaded
By the people because not understood. By
physicians it has for centuries been worse
treated than any other affection in the long
catalogue of human diseases.
Formerly all medical schools taught, and
physicians believed, consumption to be dis
ease of the blood and general system. This
false pathology and the false and fatal treat
ment which they based upon it sacrificed
millions of precious lives. Now it is uni
versally conceded by the profession that the
old theory was utterly untrue and unten-
able.
Forty five years ago US5D l first discov-
cred consumption to be local disease OF the
lungs. In 1852 | published a book on it,
giving my researches and the grounds for
my belief. In 1855 contributed series of
articles to The Specialist and Journal of
Diseases of the Chest, of which | was then
editor, contending that the local theory was
the only true doctrine of the disease, and
the local treatment the only one that opened
up any promise of its cure.
Had my views been then received and my
discoveries accepted by the profession, as
they should have been, all the sufferings
and premature deaths by consumption since
caused by false doc trine, heresy and empiri-
csm might have been averted
Unfortunately for science and humanity
physicians, as did the Israelites of old re-
jected the truth, and for forty years contin-
ued to founder in the wilderness of error
from 1851 to 1891. Like Ephraim. they were
welded to their idols and remained stead
fast to their decisions.
In 1891 all this was happily changed for
the better. The theory taught by me in
1851 was proved and accepted by the lead
ing teachers and authorities of medicine
throughout the civilized world, as the
COMFY TRUE doctrine Of the disease, and
since then mas been taught in all medical
colleges and Incorporated into all text books
for the instruction of students of medicine.
Thus after centuries of opposition and de
niai the LOCAL NATURE and GERM ORR
GIN OF Consumption IS recognized and be-
comes the established doctrine of medical
science. 1t is now conceded that no Con-
sumption can arise without the tubercular
bacillus, a poisonous germ Of the air. gets
into the lungs to produce it.
As the germs that cause Consumption
hrSt act locally upon the lungs, and the dis
ease which they produce has It's seat i'll the
lungs, it follows that it is always local
germ disease OF tnat organ. lt Is au axiom
of medical science that local diseases re-
quire local treatment for their cure, and
past clinical experience teaches that no
germ diseases was ever Yet cured without
specific germicides applied directly to the
germ infected parts.
To cure any bronchial OF lung disease
local treatment must be applied, and
this can only be done by introducing medi-
Gated air gas or vapor into the tubes and
cells by lnhalatlOn.
10 effect the cure of Consumption We
must Kill and expel the germs and heal the
The air must therefore carry germiCidal anti
septics and healing remedies to act directly
on the germs and seat of the disease, or no
cure will result. When properly admius-
tered this treatment always arrests the lung
disease. If it be deeply rooted the progress
may not always be rapid, but the cure of
Consumption under it Is certain as is the
cure of other serious maladies by proper
treatment.
! some years ago discovered and am now
usingi with great success, germicidal in
halants under which no form of germ life
can live. They are introduced by instru-
ments, which medicate the air the patient
breathes. Asthma, Bronchitis Chronic
Pneumonia and Consumption are arrested,
broken up, and radically cured by them.
To be continued)
(Signed) ROBERT HUNTER. NJ. D..
III West 10th St,
New York.
Note-Readers of THE REPUBLICAN
JOURNAL who are interested will receive
copy of Or. Hunters book free, by apply
ing to him above.