The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-03-02
CONSUMPTION.

From DIR. Hunters Lectures on the Prog
ress of Medical Science in Lung Diseases.
The medical profession of the civilized
world now comedies that Consumption is al
ways disease of the lungs and always caused
by the bacillus germ. For hundreds of years
it was supposed TO be a disease Of the blood
and general system, caused by inheritance,
and on that false theory was treated by medi-
cines given through the stomach, and with
such inevitable fatality that it came to be re-
garded as incurable.
The Germ Theory first announced by DR..
Martin in 1922 was adopted by DIR. Barron in
1919, by Dr. Carmichael in 1896, by Prof
LAMA in iS49, and by myself in 1851.
WITH these exceptions the whole profession
held to the old doctrine and continued to OBJ
pose and deny the truth Of the Germ Theory,
until after 1922, when DIR. Robert Koch Of
Berlin proved its indisputabe truth by show
ing the actual germs that produce the disease
in the lungs and expectorated matter of con-
sumptives. But even then the new doctrine
was not publicly accepted nor the old treat
ment changed. In 1891 it was adopted and
publicly acknowledged by all Medical Schools
as the only true theory Of consumption. The
bacillus germ feeds upon and destroys the sub
stance of the lungs as maggots devour raw
flesh.
From whence do these germs come? The at
| mospbere is filled with countless millions of
different kinds, each having its appointed mis-
sion in the economy of nature. All living
| tnlHBS COnSuIneu Dy Jnem after death.
They are harmless to healthy bodies, but as
sail 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 dis
| eases.
Consumption is caused by the tuberce bac-
| illus, germ found in the air of all climates.
In health the lungs are effectually protected
from the bacilli by the Epithelium, a delicate
| Job
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 Epitheium is the natural safeguard
of the lungs. Without its protection every hui
man being, would get consumption and the
earth be depopulated, but while it remains
unbroken the lungs are safe and consumption
cannot possibly arise.
The chief diseases which endanger the Eph-
thelium and render us liable to Consumption
are Catarrh, Bronchitis, Asthma and Pneu-
monia. You must first get a chronic inham-
nation of the lung surfaces severe enough to
break and destroy the Epithelium before you
can get consumption. You may have chronic
bronchitis long time before the Epithelum
is broken. The diseases are the nursery from
which consumption springs, and therefore al
ways dangerous.
Local inflammation of the air passages and
lungs are easily and quickly cured by local
treatment applied directly to the lungs by in
halation, but never by stomach medication.
After the Epithelium is broken and the germs
have formed Judgment in the lungs, no diet
or nursing, stomach medication or change of
air can arrest 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 effected only by specific
germicides applied directly to the germs and
communicated parts by inhalation. Every
thing else inevitably fails.
To be continued)
(Signed) ROBERT HUNTER, NJ. D.,
III W 10th Street,
New York