Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-03-03
CONSUMPTION.
From DIR. hunters Lectures on the
Progress of Medical science In
Lung Diseases.

The medical profession OF the civil
lized world now comedies that con-
sumption is always disease of the
lungs and always caused by the bacil.
lus germ. For hundreds of years il
was supposed TO be a disease of the
blood and general system, caused by
inheritance, and on that false theory
was treated by medicines given
through the stomach, and with such
inevitable fatality that it came to be
regarded as incurable.
The"Germ Theory"first announced
by DIR. Martin in 1922 was adopted ,by
DIR. Barron in 1918, by DIR. Carmichael
in 1886, by Prof. LAMA ih ls49, and
by myself in 1851.
With these exceptions the whole
profession held to the old doctrine
and continued to oppose and deny
the truth OF the "Germ Theory until
after 1922, when Dr. Robert Koch OF
Berlin proved its indisputabe truth
by showing the actual germs that pro.
duce the disease in the lungs and ex-
perforated matter of consumptives.
But even the new doctrine was not
publicly accepted nor the old treat
ment changed. In 1891 it was adopt
ed and publicly acknowledged by all
medical schools as the only true theo-
nv of consumption. The bacillus germ
feeds upon and destroys the substance
of the lungs as maggots devour raw
flesh.
From whence do these germs come !?
The atmosphere is filled with count
less millions OF different kinds, each
having its appointed mission in the
economy of nature. All living things
are consumed by them after death.
They are harmless to healthy bodies,
but assail and prey upon diseased
tissues.
The germs in the air are the cause
Of many different diseases, each
named according to its kind-scald
head, lepra vulgaris, ring worm and
the itch are common germ diseases.
Consumption is caused by the tn
bercle bacillus, germ found in the
air of all climates. In health the
lungs are effectually protected from
the bacilli by the Epithelium, deli
cate membrane which lines the mu-
cous surfaces of the air passages
tubes and cells of the lungs, just as
the cuticle covers and protects the ex-
ternal surface or skin of the body.
The Epithelium is the natural safe
guard of the lungs. Without its pro-
lection every human being would get
consumption and the earth be depop-
ulated, but while it remains unbroken
the lungs are safe and consumption
cannot possibly arise.
The chief diseases which endanger
the Epithelium and render us liable
to consumption are catarrh, bronchi-
tbs, asthma and pneumonia. You
must first get chronic Inflammation
of the lung surfaces severe enough to
break and destroy the Epithelium be-
fore you can get consumption. You
may have chronic bronchitis a long
time before the Epitbelium is broken.
These diseases are the nursery from
which consumption springs,and there
Iore always dangerous.
Local inflammations of the air pas
sages and lungs are easily and quickly |
cured by local treatment applied di- |
rectly to the lungs by inhalation, but
never by stomach medication. After
the Epithelium is broken aud the
germs have formed a Judgment in the
lungs, no diet or nursing, stomach
or change of air can ar
rest the lung disease. Nothing short /
Of the actual destruction Of the germs
and their expulsion from the lungs
will save the patients life. This is eff
'ected only by specific germicides APP
Piled directly to the germs and germ
parts by inhalation. Every
hing else inevitably fails
ITO be continued.
Signed) ROBERT HUNTER, Md,
Specialist in Lung Cases,
III West 45th St,