Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-02-16

Progress of Medical Science In Lung Diseases. |
Following the various forms of catarrhal
and bronchial diseases which have de-
scribed, we come next to that lamentable
complaint known to everybody under the
name 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 a
disease Of the blood and general system.
This false pathology and the false and IA
tai treatment which they based upon it
sacrificed millions Of precious lives. Now
it is universally conceded by the profess
sion that the old theory was utterly UNI
true and untenable.
Forty-fve years ago 1S51) first discov-
cred consumption to be a local disease of
the lungs. In 1852 published a book on
1t. giving my researches and the grounds
for my belief. In 1855 | contributed a
series OF articles to The Specialist and
journal of Diseases of the Chest, of which
| was then editor, contending that the To-
cal 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 offerings
and premature deaths by consumption
since caused by false doctrine. heresy and
empiricism might have been averted.
Unfortunately for science and humanity
physicians, as did the Israelites of old, re-
jected the truth, and for forty years con-
tinued to founder in the wilderness of
error from 1851 to 1891. Like 'Ephraim,
they were welded to their idols and re-
manned steadfast to their decisions.
In 1891 all this was happily changed for
the better. The theory taught by tne in
1851 was proved and accepted by the lead
ing teachers and authorities of medicine
throughout the civilized world, as the
"ONLY TRUE" doctrine of the disease,
and since then has been taught in all med
ical colleges and incorporated into all
text books for the instruction of students
of medicine.
Thus after centuries Of opposition and
denial. the LOCAL NATURE and GERM
ORIGIN of Consumption is recognized
and becomes the esta blished doctrine of
medical science. 1t is now conceded that
no Consumption 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
first act locally upon the lungs, and the
disease which they produce has its seat in
the lungs, it follows that it is always a To-
cal germ disease of that organ 1t is an
axiom Of medical science that local dis
eases require local treatment for their
cure, ana past clinical experience teaches
+ that no germ disease was ever yet cured
without specific germieides applied di-
reetiy to the germ infected parts.
TO cure any bronchial or lung disease
local treatment must be applied, and this
can only be done by introducing medi-
Gated air, gas or yapor into the tubes and
cells by inhalation
70 effect the cure of Consumption we
must kill and eXpel the germs and heal the
ravages they have inflicted in the lungs
/ The air must therefore carry germicdal
antiseptic5 and healing remedies to act di-
rectly on the germs and seat of the dis
ease, or no cure will result When prop
eriy administered 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 as certain as is the cure of other Sc
rious maladies by proper treatment.
| | some years ago discovered. and am now
using with great success, germcidal in
/ halants under which no form of germ life
cap 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.
ITO be continued.)
| (Signed) ROBERT HUNTER, NJ. ID.
No III West 18th St, New York
| Note-Readers of THE AMERICAN who
are interested will receive a copy of DR.
| Hunters book free by applying to him as
above.