New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-06
THE STORY OF CONSUMPTION.
BY ROBERT HUNTER, M. D.
Doctor Of Medicine Of the University
Of NeW.York and Member OF the
College OF Physicians and
Surgeons OF Canada.

months face to face with consumption. the most
dreaded OF all human diseases.
Realizing my danger, appealed naturally to
my college for help Dr. John H. SWEET. Pro-
fessor of Theory and Practice in the University
and author Of able treatise on lung diseases
had been my preceptor in my student days and
now became my chief hope He carefully ex-
amined my chest and told me | had tuberculo-
sis. said knew all he knew about the disease.
and that he considered It incurabe. He how
ever advised me consult the late Baron Louis,
Of Paris at that time the most famous author
ity on lung diseases Of Europe. who he said.
might possibly know Of something new. went
to Paris to obtain his advice. and all got be-
yond few expressions Of sympathy with
professional brother in affection. was the as
surance that there remedy for my
disease. | then went TO London and consulted
the three most eminent English physicians OF
that day-Dr. Williams. DR.. Carswell and DR..
Walshe-but II all in vain; they could give
me no encouragement. The highest medical
skill Of the profession under the theory OF the
disease then held. and the treatment then prac-
tised could not hold out ray OF hope to any
one having consumption. The theory OF the
disease at that time was that consumption
comes from some unknown faint OF the blood.
derived by inheritance. liable TO break out at
any age and. being once set up cannot be REM
edied by any medicine or medical skill known.
| had myself been taught this same theory
ana mad hitherto accepted IL as true, but now.
hnding II led only 10 the grave in a desperate
effort to save my own life. resolved 10 in
vestigate it thoroughly by examining every
thins written on the disease and every theory
Of its causation that had ever been advanced.
To settle my doubts | went 70 the great
library Of the British Museum and began a
careful study Of the history Of the disease
Commencing with the works Of Hippocrates
the Father Of Medicine" who wrote on con-
sumption 343 years before the birth Of CHRIST
| traced 1t down through all succeeding ages
70 1901. a period Of more than 1000 years care
fuliy comparing the accounts given Of its symp-
toms. the manner in which it began in tho
cases described, the doctrines taught in dif-
ferent periods. the practices Of the different au-
thors and their opinions Of the possibility Of it's
cure.
In this vast field of medical research gath.
cred mighty array Of facts which conclusive-
ly proved to my mind that the blood faint
theory then taught by the medical schools and
believed by all physicians was a false ard UNI
tenabe delusion. | traced hundreds of cases Of
consumption through all their stages without
finding one that could be justly charged any
blood faint or inheritance The history OF the
cases showed that they had all begun in colds
and congestion ~ the mucous lining Of the air
tubes which sooner or later developed into
chronic inflammation caused abrasons OF the
epithelium ana made a raw surface in the
lungs; that through this raw surface the germs
of the air were BILE to attack the lungs and by
their ravages quickly transformed what had
been only bronchitis into confirmed consump-
ton.
cd
and understood the true nature of the disease
the first ray of rational hope dawned on nv
mind and resolved to apply local treatment
to my own case. / felt convinced that my dis
ease was not in my stomach. in my blood
but was in the tubes and cells Of the lungs
where it must be treated by remedies directly
applied TO give me any chance OF cure
Tnere were at that time no Instruments for
reducing medicine TO a gaseous state. nor any
experience OF their action when so administered
TO guide me- With nothing but my knowledge
or chemistry. the properties OF medicines and
the requirements Of the disease as / now under
STOOD II, constructed the first nhaling instru-
ments ever employed for the cure OF the lungs
and began to treat myself by medcated air in
halations. When I found any medicines TOO
strong or too harsh in their action | changed
them for others and went on step by step until
i nau tested every known medicinal that
had healing. antiseptc germicida properties
Under this treatment all my symptoms i'm
proved the splitting Of blood ceased expectora-
ton became freer and without those racking
fits of coughing which previously attended II.
My flesh and strength came back and within a
year | came up ''out Of the valley Of the shadow
Of death and stood again the plain OF re-
stored health. I got well Notwithstanding the
forebodings Of my medical friends and the pre-
dictions Of those wise professors who had so
confidently pronounced my doom
Shortly after | began 10 treat my lungs by
indicated air Mr.. Frederick T. Andrews came
10 me from Canada his way 10 Baltimore to
visit his sister. said 10 be dying Of consumption.
l explained 10 him what was doing for myself.
and he entreated me to accompany him to Balti-
more saying he felt God had guided him TO me,
and that If | would only go his sister might be
saved | shall never forget the spectacle We be-
held entered the sick chamber OF that
little home EutaW street
There. bolstered up in bed with a wash
basin apparently half full OF blood by her side
recned a beautiful girl Of eighteen She was
white as marble. cold clammy sweat stood
out her forehead and what appeared the
imprint Of death in every lineament OF her feat
1t did not seem possible she could last
more than few days. but at their earnest en-
treaty | consented TO make an effort TO save
her. I went To a tinsmith and had rude in
strument made which would lie on her pillow
and enable her 70 inhae without the effort OF
sitting up | had a chemist make up the pre-
scriptiOnS was using Tor myself, ana after CIV
ing instructions left her, hardly expecting to
ever her again alive.
She used the treatment with immediate bene-
fit and faithfully followed II for about ten
months when she had regained sufficient health
to return to Canada, shortly afterWard married
and is alive to-day. the wife Of a prominent
member Of the Dominion Parliament.
Another remarkable cure was that OF James
Bynum OF Brooklyn. who hearing Of my treat
ment from his physician, my old preceptor DR..
] SWEET begged me TO receive him patient.
tha las III "A
sisters and brother having already died of the
disease He had been under DR.. Swetts care
from June to October who pronounced his case
hopeless He spit blood from the lungs, had in
cessant cough. purform expectoration. Every