The People's Common Sense Medical Adviser in Plain English Part 34

Convalescing patients, or those suffering from chronic diseases, whenever the weather will permit, should take exercise every day in the open air. This should be done with regularity. The amount of exercise must be regulated by the strength of the patient; never take so much as to produce fatigue, but, as the strength increases, the exercise may be increased proportionately. Some interesting employment, commensurate with the patient's strength, should be inst.i.tuted, so that the mind may be agreeably occupied with the body.

When unable to take active exercise, the invalid, properly protected by sufficient clothing, should ride in a carriage or boat, and each day a new route should be chosen, so that a change of scenery may be observed, thus arousing new trains of thought, which will be exhilarating and prove beneficial to him.

s.e.xUAL INFLUENCES. During the progress of disease or convalescence, entire continence must be observed. It is then necessary that all of the vital energies should be employed in effecting a recovery from disease, without having the additional tax imposed of overcoming the debilitating effects of s.e.xual expenditure. This holds true with regard to all diseases, and especially those of the nervous system and genitourinary organs.

VISITING THE SICK may be productive of good or evil results. Mental impressions made upon the sick exert a powerful influence upon the termination of disease. The chances of recovery are in proportion to the elevation or depression of spirits. Pleasant, cheerful a.s.sociations animate the patient, inspire hope, arouse the vital energies, and aid in his recovery; while disagreeable and melancholy a.s.sociations beget sadness and despondency, discourage the patient, depress the vital powers, enfeeble the body, and r.e.t.a.r.d recovery.

Unless persons who visit the sick can carry with them joy, hope, mirth, and animation, they had better stay away. This applies equally in acute and chronic diseases. It does not matter what a visitor may _think_ with regard to the patient's recovery, _an unfavorable opinion should never find expression in the sick-room_. Life hangs upon a brittle thread, and often that frail support is _hope_. Cheer the sick by words of encouragement, and the hold on life will be strengthened; discourage, by uttering such expressions as, "How bad you look!" "Why, how you have failed since I saw you last!" "I would have another doctor; one who knows something!" "You can't live long if you don't get help!" etc., and the tie which binds them to earth is snapped asunder. The visitor becomes a _murderer!_ Let all persons be guided by this rule: _Never go into the sick-room without carrying with you a few rays of sunshine!_

If the patient is very weak the visitor may injure him by staying too long. The length of the visit should be graduated according to the strength of the invalid. Never let the sufferer be wearied by too frequent or too lengthy visits, nor by having too many visitors at once.

Above all things, do not confine your visitations to Sunday. Many do this and give themselves credit for an extra amount of piety on account of it, when, if they would scrutinize their motives more carefully, they would see that it was but a contemptible resort to save time. The sick are often grossly neglected during the week only to be visited to death upon Sunday.

THE USE OF TOBACCO AND OPIUM. The recovery of the sick is often delayed, sometimes entirely prevented, by the habitual use of tobacco or opium.

In acute diseases, the appet.i.te for tobacco is usually destroyed by the force of the disease, and its use is, of necessity, discontinued; but in chronic ailments, the appet.i.te remains unchanged, and the patient continues his indulgence greatly to the aggravation of the malady.

The use of tobacco is a pernicious habit in whatever form it is introduced into the system. Its active principle, Nicotin, which is an energetic poison, exerts its specific effect on the nervous system, tending to stimulate it to an unnatural degree of activity, the final result of which is weakness, or even paralysis. The horse, under the action of whip and spur, may exhibit great spirit and rapid movements, but urge him beyond his strength with these agents, and you inflict a lasting injury. Withhold the stimulants, and the drooping head and moping pace indicate the sad reaction which has taken place. This ill.u.s.trates the evils of habitually exciting the nerves by the use of tobacco, opium, narcotic or other drugs. Under their action, the tone of the system is greatly impaired, and it responds more feebly to the influence of curative agents. Tobacco itself, when its use becomes habitual and excessive, gives rise to the most unpleasant and dangerous pathological conditions. Oppressive torpor, weakness or loss of intellect, softening of the brain, paralysis, nervous debility, dyspepsia, functional derangement of the heart, and diseases of the liver and kidneys are not uncommon consequences of the excessive employment of this plant. A sense of faintness, nausea, giddiness, dryness of the throat, tremblings, feelings of fear, disquietude, and general nervous prostration must frequently warn persons addicted to this habit that they are sapping the very foundation of health. Under the continued operation of a poison, inducing such symptoms as these, what chance is there for remedies to accomplish their specific action?

With the system already thoroughly charged with an influence antagonistic to their own, and which is sure to neutralize their effect, what good can medicine do?

Dr. King says, "A patient under treatment should give up the use of tobacco, or his physician should a.s.sume no responsibility in his case, further than to do the best he can for him." In our own extensive experience in the treatment of chronic diseases, we have often found it necessary to resort to the same restriction.

The opium habit, to which allusion has also been made, is open to the same objections, and must be abandoned by all who would seek recovery.

PART IV.

DISEASES AND THEIR REMEDIAL TREATMENT.

INTRODUCTION.

Knowledge which is conducive to self-preservation is of _primary_ importance. That great educator, profound thinker, and vigorous writer, Herbert Spencer, has pertinently said that, "As vigorous health and its accompanying high spirits, are larger elements of happiness than any other things whatever, the teaching how to maintain them is a teaching that yields to no other whatever. And therefore we a.s.sert that such a course of physiology as is needful for the comprehension of its general truths and their bearings on daily conduct is an all-essential part of a rational education."

Believing that the diffusion of knowledge for the prevention of disease is quite as n.o.ble a work as the alleviation of physical suffering by medical skill, we have devoted a large portion of this volume to the subjects of physiology and hygiene. These we have endeavored to present in as familiar a style as possible, that they may be understood by every reader. Freely as we have received light upon these subjects have we endeavored to reflect it again, in hopes that a popular presentation of these matters made plain and easy of comprehension to all people, may lead the ma.s.ses into greater enjoyment of life--the result of a better preservation of health. This we do in part as a public acknowledgment of our obligations to society, to whom every professional man is a debtor.

He belongs to it, is a part of its common stock, and should give as well as receive advantages, return as well as accept benefits. We know of no better way to signify our appreciation of the public confidence and patronage, so generously accorded to us, than to offer this volume to the people at a price less than the actual cost for an edition of ordinary size. This we do as a token of the cordial reciprocation of their good will. In giving to the people wholesome advice, by which they may be enabled to ward off disease and thus preserve the health of mult.i.tudes, we believe we shall receive their hearty approval, as well as the approbation of our own conscience, both of which are certainly munificent rewards. We believe that good deeds are always rewarded, and that the physician who prevents sickness manifests a genuine and earnest devotion to the common interests of humanity.

We have no respect for the motives of those medical men who would withhold that information from the people which will direct the ma.s.ses how to take care of themselves, and thereby prevent much sickness and suffering. Nor is the diffusion of such knowledge antagonistic to the best interests of the true and competent physician. The necessity for his invaluable services can no more be set aside by popularizing physiological, hygienic, and medical truths, than we can dispense with those of the minister and lawyer by the inculcation of the principles of morality in our public schools. The common schools do not lessen the necessity for colleges or universities, but rather contribute to their prosperity. Nor are we so presumptuous as to antic.i.p.ate that we could possibly make this volume so instructive as to render "every man his own physician." No man can with advantage be his own lawyer, carpenter, tailor, and printer; much less can he hope to artfully repair his own const.i.tution when shattered by grave maladies, which not only impair the physical functions, but weaken and derange the mental faculties. What physician presumes to prescribe for himself, when suddenly prostrated by serious illness? He very sensibly submits to the treatment of another, because he realizes that sickness impairs his judgment, and morbid sensations mislead and unfit him for the exercise of his skill. If this is true of the physician, with how much greater force does it apply to the unprofessional! If a sick sea-captain is unfit to stand at the helm and direct his ship, how utterly incompetent must the raw sailor be when similarly disqualified! Nor is the physician as competent to treat those near and dear to him, when they are suffering from dangerous illness, as another medical man not similarly situated, whose judgment is not liable to be misled by intense anxiety and affectionate sympathy.

Notwithstanding all these facts, however, a knowledge on the part of the unprofessional, of something more than physiology and hygiene, and appertaining more closely to medicine proper, will many times prove valuable.

In the first stage of many acute affections which, if unheeded, gradually a.s.sume a threatening aspect, endangering life and demanding the services of the most skilled physician to avert fatal results, the early administration of some common domestic remedy, such as a cathartic, or a diaph.o.r.etic herb, a.s.sociated with a warm bath, a spirit vapor-bath, or a hot foot-bath, will very often obviate the necessity for calling a family physician, and frequently save days and weeks of sickness and suffering.

So, likewise, are there numerous, acute diseases of a milder character which are easily and unmistakably recognized without the possession of great medical knowledge, and which readily yield to plain, simple, medical treatment which is within the ready reach of all who strive to acquaint themselves with the rudiments of medical science. But in sudden and painful attacks of acute disease, life may be suddenly and unexpectedly jeopardized, and immediate relief prove necessary. While under these circ.u.mstances the prompt application of such domestic treatment as good common-sense may dictate, guided by a knowledge of those first principles of medical learning which we shall hereafter endeavor to make plain, may result in speedy and happy relief, yet at the same time there should be no delay in summoning a competent physician to the bedside of the sufferer.

Then, and not the least important, there are the various chronic or lingering diseases, from all of which few individuals indeed, who pa.s.s the meridian of life, entirely escape. In this cla.s.s of ailments there is generally no immediate danger, and, therefore, time may be taken by the invalid for studying his disease and employing those remedies which are best suited for its removal. Or, if of a dangerous or complicated character, and, therefore, not so readily understood, he may consult either personally or by letter, some learned and well-known physician, who makes a specialty of the treatment of such cases, and whose large experience enables him to excel therein.

In consideration, therefore, of the foregoing facts, we deem it most profitable for our readers that Part Fourth of this volume should be arranged in the following manner:

The milder forms of uncomplicated, acute diseases, which may be readily and unmistakably recognized, and successfully managed without professional aid, will receive that attention which is necessary to give the reader a correct idea of them, and their proper remedial treatment.

We shall devote only such attention to the severe and hazardous forms of acute diseases as is necessary in order to consider their initial stage, with their proper treatment, not attempting to trace their numerous complications, or portray the many pathological conditions which are liable to be developed. For, even by devoting much s.p.a.ce to the latter, we could not expect to qualify our unprofessional readers for successfully treating such obscure and dangerous conditions.

We shall devote the largest amount of s.p.a.ce to a careful and thorough consideration of those chronic diseases, which, by a little study, may be readily recognized and understood by the ma.s.ses, and for the cure of which we shall suggest such hygienic treatment and domestic remedies as may be safely employed by all who are in quest of relief. In the more dangerous, obscure, or complicated forms of chronic diseases, the correct diagnosis and successful treatment of which tax all the skill possessed by the experienced specialist, the invalid will not be misled into the dangerous policy of relying upon his own judgment and treatment, but will be counseled not to postpone until too late, the employment of a skillful physician.

The apportionment of s.p.a.ce which is made in considering the various diseases and their different stages, as well as the course which the people are advised to pursue under the different circ.u.mstances of affliction, is not always in accordance with the plans and recommendations which have been made by others who have written works on domestic medicine. Most of these authors have attempted, by lengthy disquisitions, to teach their readers how to treat themselves without the services of a physician, even in the most hazardous forms of disease. In such dangerous maladies as typhoid, typhus, yellow, and scarlet fevers, typhoid pneumonia, and many others, in which life is imminently imperiled, such instruction and advice is decidedly reprehensible, as it may lead to the most serious consequences. We are confident, therefore, that the manner of disposing of the different subjects which are discussed in the succeeding chapters, and the course of action which is advised, will commend themselves to our readers as being such as are calculated to promote and subserve their best interests.

MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS.

Skill in the art of healing is indicated in three ways: (1.) by ascertaining the _symptoms, seat_, and _nature_ of the disease, which is termed _diagnosis_; (2.) by foretelling the probable termination, which is termed _prognosis_; (3.) by the employment of efficacious and appropriate remedies, which is called _treatment_. Of these three requisites to a prosperous issue, nothing so distinguishes the expert and accomplished physician from the mere pretender as his ready ability to interpret correctly, the location, extent, and character of an affection from its symptoms. By medical diagnosis, then, is understood the discrimination between diseases by certain symptoms which are distinguishing signs. Every malady is accompanied by its characteristic indications, some of which are _diagnostic, i.e._, they particularize the affection and distinguish it from all others.

Medical diagnosis is both a _science_ and an _art_; a science when the causes and symptoms of a disease are understood, and an art when this knowledge can be applied to determine its location and exact nature.

Science presents the general principles of practice; art detects among the characteristic symptoms the differential signs, and applies the remedy. Da Costa aptly remarks: "No one aspiring to become a skillful observer can trust exclusively to the light reflected from the writings of others; he must carry the torch in his own hands, and himself look into every recess."

The critical investigation of symptoms, with the view of ascertaining their signs, is essential to successful practice. Without closely observing them, we cannot accurately trace out the diagnosis, and a failure to detect the right disease is apt to be followed by the use of wrong medicines.

General diagnosis considers the surroundings of the patient as well as the actual manifestations of the disease. It takes into account the diathesis, _i.e._, the predisposition to certain diseases in consequence of peculiarities of const.i.tution. We recognize const.i.tutional tendencies, which may be indicated by the contour of the body, its growth, stature, and temperament, since all these facts greatly modify the treatment. Likewise the s.e.x, age, climate, habits, occupation, previous diseases, as well as the present condition, must be taken into account.

Auscultation, as practiced in detecting disease, consists in listening to the sounds which can be heard in the chest.

Percussion consists in striking upon a part with the view of appreciating the sound which results. The part may be struck directly with the tips of the fingers, but more generally one or more fingers of the other hand are interposed between the points of the fingers and the part to be percussed, that they, instead of the naked chest, may receive the blow; or, instead of the fingers, a flat piece of bone or ivory, called a _pleximeter_, is placed upon the chest to receive the blow.

Latterly, improved instruments greatly a.s.sist the pract.i.tioner of medicine in perfecting this art. The _microscope_ a.s.sists the eye, and helps to reveal the appearance and character of the excretions, detecting morbid degenerations; _chemistry_ discloses the composition of the urine, which also indicates the morbid alterations occurring in the system; by percussion we can determine the condition of an internal organ, from the sound given when the external surface is percussed; the ear, with the aid of the _stethoscope_, detects the strange murmurs of respiration, the fainter, more unnatural pulsations of life, and the obscurer workings of disease; with the _spirometer_ we determine the breathing capacity of the lungs, and thus ascertain the extent of the inroads made by disease; the _dynamometer_ records the lifting ability of the patient; the _thermometer_ indicates the morbid variation in the bodily temperature; various instruments inform us of the structural changes causing alterations in the specific gravity of fluids, _e.g_., the _urinometer_ indicates those occurring in the urine; and thus, as the facilities for correct diagnosis increase, the art of distinguishing and cla.s.sifying diseases becomes more perfect, and their treatment more certain. While physiology treats of all the natural functions, pathology treats of lesions and altered conditions.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 146.

Dr. Brown's Spirometer.]

By the term _symptoms_ we mean the evidence of some morbid effect or change occurring in the human body, and it requires close observation and well-instructed experience to convert these symptoms into diagnostic signs. Suppose "Old Probabilities" (as we commonly designate the invaluable Signal Department) hangs out his warning tokens all along our lake borders and ocean coasts; our sailors behold the fluttering symbols indicating an approaching storm, but if no one understood their meaning, a fearful disaster might follow. But if these signals are understood, a safe harbor is sought and the mariner is protected. So disease may hang out all her signals of distress, in order that they may be seen, but unless correctly interpreted, and a remedial harbor is sought, these symptoms are of little practical value.

Undoubtedly the reason why so many symptom-doctors blunder is because they prescribe according to the apparent symptoms, without any real reference to the nature of the affection. They fail to discover how far a symptom points out the seat, and also the progress of a disease. They do not distinguish the relative importance of the different symptoms.

The practical purpose of all science is to skillfully apply knowledge to salutary and profitable uses. The patient himself may carefully note the indications, but it is only the expert physician who can tell the import of each symptom.

_Symptoms_ are within every one's observation, but only the physician knows the nature and value of _signs_. We have read an anecdote of Galen, who was a distinguished physician in his day, which ill.u.s.trates the distinction between sign and symptom. Once, when dangerously ill, he overheard two of his friends in attendance upon him recount his symptoms, such as "Redness of the face, a dejected, haggard, and inflamed appearance," etc. He cried out to them to adopt every necessary measure forthwith, as he was threatened with delirium. The two friends saw the _symptoms_ well enough; but it was only Galen himself, though the _patient_, who was able to deduce the _sign_ of delirium--that is, he alone was able to translate those symptoms into signs. To determine the value of symptoms, as signs of disease, requires close observation.

INTERPRETATION OF SYMPTOMS.

We shall refer to a few symptoms which any unprofessional reader may readily observe and understand.

POSITION OF PATIENT. When a patient is disposed to lie upon his back continually during the progress of an acute disease, it is a sign of _muscular debility_. If he manifests no desire to change his position, or cannot do so, and becomes tremulous at the least effort, it indicates _general prostration_. When this position is a.s.sumed, during the progress of continued fever, and is accompanied by involuntary twitching of the muscles, picking of the bed-clothes, etc., then danger is imminent and _the patient is sinking_. Fever, resulting from local inflammation, does not produce muscular prostration, and the patient seldom or never a.s.sumes the supine position. If this inflammation is in the extremities, those parts are elevated, in order to lessen the pressure of the blood, which a dependent, position increases.