The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1902-03-19
THE CURE OF CONSUMPTION.
Two Remarkable Cures Due to Fresh Air
and Exercise.
New York Sun.

whenever I could leave my business;
his rule was, two hours on horseback
every day in the year, no matter what
the weather might be. We thought
nothing of being drenched in sudden
downpour of rain miles from town, but
rode rapidly to our rooms, where quick
undressing, thorough rubbing down
and dry clothing prevented our ever
catching cold. He rode in midsummer
heat, and when the thermometer was
II below zero, with equal certainty of
receiving no harm. He kept record
of the miles ridden until they exceed
ed ten thousand. There we're many
minor details of exercise, diet, etc.,
but the two great objects I kept in
view, were outdoor air and counter ir-
ritation.
In the spring Of 1861, we separated,
he was practically cured, but there
was deep saucer shaped depression
where the left lung had been. The
doctor told us, the patient owed his
life to me, and need not give him any
of the credit. I was afterward told he
had report of the case in some medi-
cal journal.
Today that boy resides in New York
city, a millionaire railroad president.
On my return from the Civil War, I
became connected with the Western
Union Telegraph company in New
York city, where young kinsman 25
years old was employed. In the Eel!
of 1865, he caught q severe cold which
lan at once into quick consumption.
So rapid was ita progress and I saw
SO little Of him for two or three
months, that was astounded. when
his physician told me he hadn't over
six weeks to live; said the salt air was
too strong for him, that If he was in
the dry air Of the Western plains, he
might possibly live while longer. I
said / would take him out of the salt
air at once. He said any attempt at
moving him would kill him before he
could get out Of it. I went to the pa
tient, told him what the doctor said,
and proposed, that instead of giving
up to die, we would have hand to
hand fight with death, and that I was
sure he would win. He was thin and
weak from bleeding at the lungs, and
the same terrific night sweats as the
first patient had, and could only get
out of bed by being helped; he said he
had given up some time before, but
didn't tell me, because 7 was so busy
and he didn't want to worry me; that
l might do as pleased, as he would
as soon die being moved as to die six
weeks later. returned to the doctor,
told him the patient had consented to
be moved, and / was going to move
him. He forbade my doing it; when
he found was infexible, he urged me
to postpone it o week, and he would
try and get little strength in him for
the ordeal. I refused any delay, he
then declined any further responsible.
ity or connection with the case, to
which l gladly assented. The time
came when he gave me full credit for
having saved the patient.
| I felt I had four weeks more leevav
than in the former case but lost no
time; in two hours I had everything
ready to break camp. Next morning
the patient was dressed, lifted into
my arms in a carriage, driven to the
Hudson river railroad station, there
carried into coach, and left lying on
o pillow in my lap. He lay 80 quiet
that at times had to look close to be
sure he was breathing. My idea was
to get him above the Hudson River
Highlands, as the neares, point
free from salt air, and there wait
strength to go further. Near Peek
skill, he opened his eyes and asked
for more air, I had the window slight
ly raised, feared asking for air meant
difficulty in breathing; presently he
asked to be lifted into an upright po.
sition in the seat and leaned his head
upon my shoulder, then he asked for
more air and 1 had the window fully
opened. It was the latter part Of
March, the air was mild, and present.
ly touch of color stole into his
cheeks; he breathed deeper and easier,
opened his eyes and took some notice
of things. l had by telegraph, secur-
ed-well up the hill at Fishkill-ac-
commodations with fine outlook. A
carriage was waiting, and we soon had
him in bed. slept in the same room