The People's Common Sense Medical Adviser in Plain English Part 52

After an indefinite length of time, the symptoms return with greater severity. These remissions and aggravations may be repeated several times, each successive remission being less perfect, each recurrence more severe, carrying the patient further down the road toward the "dark valley." Now the cough increases, the paroxysms become more severe, the expectoration more copious and purulent, as the tubercular deposits soften and break down. The voice is hollow and reverberating, the chest is flattened, and loses its mobility; the collar-bones are prominent, with marked depression above and below. Auscultation reveals a bubbling, gurgling sound, as the air pa.s.ses through the matter in the bronchi, with the click, to the air cells beyond. Percussion gives a dull sound or if there are large cavities, it is hollow, and auscultation elicits the amphoric sound, as of blowing into a bottle. Hectic fever is now fully established; the eye is unusually bright and pearly, with dilated pupils, which gives a peculiar expression; the paroxysms of coughing exhaust the patient, and he gasps and pants for breath. The tongue now becomes furred, the patient thirsty, the bowels constipated, and all the functions are irregularly performed. Another remission may now occur, and the patient be able to resume light employment, for an indefinite length of time, which we have known to extend over three or four years, when the symptoms again return.

If the patient is a female, and deranged or suppressed menstruation has not marked the accession of pulmonary symptoms, the flow now becomes profuse and clotted, or is scanty and colorless, sometimes ceasing altogether. In the male, the s.e.xual powers diminish, and copulation is followed by excessive and long-continued prostration. From this time onward, the progress of the disease is more rapid. The liver and kidneys are implicated. In addition to the pallor, the complexion becomes jaundiced, giving the patient, who is now wasting to a mere skeleton, a ghastly look. The urine is generally copious and limpid, though occasionally scanty and yellow. The pulse increases to one hundred and thirty or one hundred and forty beats in the minute, and is feeble and thread-like. The cough hara.s.ses the patient so that he does not sleep, or his rest is fitful and unrefreshing; whenever sleep does occur, the patient wakes to find himself drenched with a cold, clammy perspiration.

The throat, mouth, and tongue now become tender, and occasionally ulcerate. Expectoration is profuse, purulent, and viscid, clinging tenaciously to the throat and mouth, and the patient no longer has strength to eject it. The hair now falls off, the nails become livid, and the breathing difficult and gasping; the patient has no longer strength to move himself in bed and has to be propped up with pillows, and suffocates on a.s.suming the rec.u.mbent position. Drinks are swallowed with difficulty. Diarrhea takes the place of constipation. The extremities are cold, swollen, and dropsical; the voice feeble, hollow, grating, husky, the patient gasping between each word; the respiration is short and quick. A slight remission of these symptoms occurs. The patient is more comfortable, lively, cheerful, and perhaps forms plans for the future. But it is the last effort of expiring vitality, the last flicker of the lamp of life, the candle burns brilliantly for a moment, and with one last effort goes out, and death closes the scene.

The duration of the active stage of consumption varies from a few weeks to several years, the average time being about eighteen months.

_Cough_ is always a prominent symptom throughout the entire course of the disease, varying with its progress.

_Expectoration_, at first scanty, then slightly increased, colorless, frothy, and mucous, is also a characteristic. After a time it becomes opaque, yellow, and more or less watery; then muco-purulent and finally purulent, copious, and viscid. When tubercular matter is freely expectorated, with but little mucus, it sinks in water. This symptom continues to the very last.

_Haemoptysis_ (bleeding from the lungs) may occur at any stage of the disease, often being the first pulmonary symptom noticed, again being delayed until late; and there are cases in which it does not happen at all. It seldom occurs in any other disease.

_Night-sweats_ may occur at any stage, though they are rarely experienced until the disease is pretty well established, and are very exhausting.

_Hectic Fever_ generally occurs soon after the pulmonary symptoms are developed, and increases in intensity with the progress of the disease.

There are usually two paroxysms in twenty-four hours, one of which occurs towards evening and is followed by night-sweats.

_Dyspnoea_ (difficult breathing) is at first slight, except after exertion, amounting to only a sense of oppression; but it becomes more and more severe as the disease advances, until the very last, when it is agonizing in the extreme.

_Aphthae_, sometimes extending to the pharynx and larynx, generally occurs towards the last. The mouth and throat become so very sore and tender that nourishment and medicine are taken with difficulty.

_Emaciation and Debility_ are characteristic of the disease. They fluctuate as the disease advances or is r.e.t.a.r.ded, increasing to the very last.

_Auscultation and Percussion_ const.i.tute valuable means of diagnosis from the time tubercular matter begins to be deposited to the very last, and, when correctly practiced, reveal the extent and progress of the disease. As a knowledge of the sounds elicited can only be acquired by practical experience with proper instruments, they will not be described here. The only diseases with which consumption is likely to be confounded are general debility in the early stage, bronchitis, chronic pleurisy, chronic pneumonia, and abscess in the lungs, after the advent of pulmonary symptoms.

CURABILITY. Notwithstanding the prevailing opinion that consumption is incurable, there exists ample, incontrovertible evidence to the contrary. Its curability is established beyond the shadow of a doubt.

Individuals have recovered in whom there was extensive destruction of pulmonary tissue, and, indeed, entire destruction of one lung. Numerous instances are on record in which persons have suffered from all the symptoms of confirmed consumption, and have regained their health and subsequently died of other diseases. The case of the late Dr. Joseph Parish, of Philadelphia, affords a striking example of this kind. In early life, he manifested all the symptoms of confirmed consumption, including frequent hemorrhages, yet he fully regained his health, and, after a very useful life, died at an advanced age of another disease.

Post-mortem examination revealed the existence of cicatrices, or scars, in his lungs where tubercular matter had been deposited. Dr. Wood, in his Practice of Medicine, mentions another instance of a medical gentleman in Philadelphia, who in early life suffered from consumption with haemoptysis, from which he recovered, and afterwards died, at an advanced age, of typhoid fever, when the knife revealed the presence of cicatrices. Post-mortem examinations of individuals who have died of other diseases, have revealed, in numerous instances, the presence of consumption at some period of their existence. In these cases the lungs were perfectly healed by cicatrization, or by the deposit of a chalky material. A French physician made post-mortem examinations of one hundred women, all of whom were over sixty years of age, and who had died of other diseases, and in fifty of them he found evidences of the previous existence of consumption.

Professor Flint says that consumption sometimes terminates in recovery, and that his observations lead him to the conclusion that the prospect of recovery is more favorable in cases characterized by frequent hemorrhages. Drs. Ware and Walshe are also led to the same conclusion.

Professor J. Hughes Bennett, of Edinburgh, has thoroughly investigated the subject, and adds his testimony to that of others, citing numerous cases that have resulted in perfect recovery. If such testimony is not sufficient, we may mention the following, whose names are well known and respected in professional circles, and all of whom declare that consumption is a curable disease. The list includes Laennec, Andral, Cruveilhier, Kingston, Presat, Rogee, Boudet, and a host of others.

No farther back than 1866, on page 145, of the proceedings of the Connecticut Medical Society, we find "Observations, Ante-mortem and Post-mortem, upon the case of the late President Day by Prof. S.G.

Hubbard, M.D., New Haven," from which we learn that Jeremiah Day, LL.

D., who was for twenty-nine years President of Yale College, was, while a mere youth, a victim of pulmonary consumption. During his infancy and boyhood his vitality was feeble. He entered Yale College as a student in 1789, "but was soon obliged to leave the inst.i.tution on account of pulmonary difficulty, which was doubtless the incipient stage of the organic disease of the lungs which subsequently developed itself." He remained in feeble health for two years, but returned to college, and graduated in 1797. For the next six years his lung difficulties were quite severe, and he repeatedly bled in large quant.i.ties, but he had so far recovered in 1803, as to accept a Professorship. He was afterwards chosen President of the college, which office he held for many years, in the enjoyment of good health. He died from "old age," as we are told, in 1867, aged 94 years.

Statistics show that under the improved methods of treating this disease, the mortality, as compared with previous years, has been greatly reduced. Clinical observation proves that injuries to the lungs are not so fatal as was once supposed.

TREATMENT. The earlier the treatment of this disease is undertaken, the greater is the probability of success. The reason of this is obvious; at first the disease is general or const.i.tutional, but as it advances, by the deposit of _tubercular matter_, it becomes both const.i.tutional and local. Hence the treatment must be both _general_ and _local_. The occurrence of certain prominent and distressing symptoms, either from the natural progress of the disease, or from complications with other affections, often renders it difficult, even for physicians, to determine how far their treatment should be general and how far local.

Treating the symptoms instead of the general disease, or treating the const.i.tutional disease without regard to the symptoms which arise from it, is an error into which many physicians have fallen. The const.i.tutional affection, the local manifestations and complications, and the circ.u.mstances and individual peculiarities of the patient, must all be carefully considered; bearing in mind all the while, that tubercular matter is the product of a morbid action, which, in every case, must exist before its deposition in the lungs, or any other tissue, can take place.

In every case in which curative treatment is to be inst.i.tuted, the hearty and persistent co-operation of both patient and friends is absolutely necessary; and the treatment, which is both hygienic and medical in character, should have in view the following aims:

(1.) The avoidance of the causes concerned in the production and perpetuation of the disease.

(2.) The restoration of healthy nutrition, in order to stop the formation of tuberculous matter.

(3.) The arrest of the abnormal breaking down of the tissues, and the prevention of emaciation.

(4.) The relief of local symptoms, and the complications arising from other diseases.

The fulfillment of the first indication, the avoidance of causes, is of the utmost importance, for if they have been sufficient to _produce_ the disease, their continued operation must certainly be sufficient to _perpetuate_ it. A single individual is very often subjected to the operation of several of the causes already enumerated, some of which, in consequence of circ.u.mstances and surroundings, are unavoidable. Of these, the one most difficult to overcome is climate; _i.e._ the frequent variations of temperature.

Upon the subject of climate much has been written. But that which is best adapted to the cure of consumption, is that which will enable the patient to pa.s.s a certain number of hours every day in the pure open air, without exposure to sudden alterations of temperature. There are very few persons who change their place of residence, except as a last resort, when the disease is in the last stage. It is then productive of little or no good. This is one reason why so many people having consumption die in Florida, and other warm countries. If a change of climate is to be effected at all, it should be made early.

The most powerful stimulant to health is well-regulated exercise. It a.s.sists the performance of every function, and is of paramount importance to promote good digestion and proper a.s.similation, conditions essential for recovery. It should not, however, be carried beyond the powers of endurance of the individual, so as to exhaust or fatigue.

Everything that can invigorate should be adopted; everything that exhausts should be shunned.

To fulfill the second indication, to restore healthy nutrition, requires not only a proper diet, both as regards quant.i.ty and quality, but demands that the integrity of the organs concerned in the process of digestion and a.s.similation, shall be maintained at the highest standard of perfection possible.

That the diet be sufficient in quant.i.ty should be obvious to all. It is also necessary that it be nutritious, and that it should contain carbonaceous elements. Food of a starchy or saccharine character is apt to increase acidity, and interfere with the a.s.similation of other elements, therefore, articles, rich in fatty matters, should enter largely into the diet. The articles of food best adapted to the consumptive invalid are milk, rich cream, eggs, bread made from unbolted wheat-flour, and raised with yeast, cracked wheat, oatmeal, good b.u.t.ter, beef, game, and fowls. These contain the necessary elements for a.s.similation. Oily food is of great importance, and the beef eaten should contain a good proportion of fat. Plenty of salt should always be eaten with the food, and a desire for it is often experienced.

Over-eating should be avoided, lest the stomach be induced to rebel against articles of diet rich in important elements.

Derangement of the process of nutrition requires careful attention, and, if necessary, correction. For this purpose, nothing can excel Dr.

Pierce's Golden Medical Discovery. It increases the appet.i.te, favors the nutritive transformation of the food, enriches the blood, and thus r.e.t.a.r.ds the deposition of tubercular matter. It is so combined that, while it meets all these indications, it relieves or prevents the development of those distressing symptoms so common in this disease.

The "Golden Medical Discovery" is adapted to fulfill the third indication in the management of this disease, which is to check the abnormal breaking down and waste of tissues, which const.i.tute such a prominent feature in this malady. The antiseptic properties of the "Discovery" are unmistakably manifested in preventing such abnormal decomposition. The emaciation, excessive expectoration, profuse perspiration, diarrhea, and hectic fever, common to consumption, are all due to a too rapid disintegration and waste of the tissues. It is in this condition of the system that this medicine, by its powerful antiseptic properties, manifests its most wonderful curative ability.

When, as in this disease, the vital forces of the system have, in a degree, lost their restraining influence over the processes of disintegration, waste, and decay, which goes on so rapidly that nutrition cannot compensate for the loss to the system, then it is that the "Golden Medical Discovery," by its antiseptic influence, checks this rapid waste of the tissues, and thus arrests the disease. To the lack of employment of such a remedy in the treatment of consumption, the unparalleled fatality of the disease is largely due. In their anxiety to improve digestion and nutrition, and thus build up the tissues, physicians often lose sight of the no less important indication of restraining the destructive waste going on in the system, which overbalances the supplies furnished by absorption. The gradually increasing emaciation and loss of strength render perpetuity of the organism impossible.

The fulfillment of the fourth indication, to relieve local symptoms, and the complications with other diseases, is often attended with no little difficulty.

_The Cough_ is a secondary symptom, arising from the irritation caused by the tubercular deposits. Medicated inhalations may give temporary relief, but cannot cure it. They strike at the branches of the disease, while the root is left to flourish and develop new branches.

Expectorants have been employed to a great extent, and the theories, which have been advanced in favor of their use, are sometimes very ingenious. That they modify the cough, we do not attempt to deny; but it is usually at a great expense, for they derange the stomach and interfere with digestion and a.s.similation.

Improvement of the general health is always attended with amelioration of the cough. If the patient did not cough at all, the lungs would soon fill up with broken-down tissue, and death from suffocation would result. Irritation of the nerves supplying the lungs sometimes occurs, and causes the patient to cough immoderately, when it is not necessary for the purpose of expectoration. This condition is readily controlled by Dr. Pierce's Golden Medical Discovery, which exerts a decidedly quieting and tonic influence upon the pneumogastric nerve, which, with its ramifications, is the one involved. An infusion of the common red clover, in tablespoonful doses, will also be found a valuable adjunct in overcoming this condition.

_Hoemoptysis_. Hemorrhage from the lungs is generally sudden and unexpected in its attack, though sometimes preceded by difficulty of breathing, and a salty taste in the mouth. Although it _very rarely_ destroys life, it often occasions alarm. Common table salt, given in one-fourth to one-half teaspoonful doses, repeated every ten or fifteen minutes, is generally sufficient to control it. Ligatures applied to the thighs and arms, sufficiently tight to arrest the circulation of blood in the veins, but not tight enough to impede it in the arteries, is a useful proceeding. Ergot, in teaspoonful doses of the fluid extract, hamamelis, and gallic acid, all are valuable for this purpose.

_Night-sweats_ can only be regarded as a symptom of weakness, and are to be remedied by an improvement of the general health. Bathing in salt water is sometimes attended with good results. The practice of giving acids for this symptom can only be regarded as irrational. It may arrest the sweating, but it will do harm in other ways. Belladonna, given at bed-time, is an effectual remedy.

_Frequency of the pulse_ is generally a prominent symptom in this disease. It sometimes points to a condition of sufficient importance to require a remedy. Although the "Golden Medical Discovery" is combined to meet this condition, its value may be greatly enhanced by adding one-half to one teaspoonful, according to the urgency of the case and the frequency of the pulse, of the fluid extract of _Veratrum Viride_ to each bottle. The benefit of this, when persisted in, will be apparent in the amelioration of all the symptoms, and in the general improvement.

This fluid extract can be had at any drug store.

_Diarrhea_ is sometimes a troublesome symptom, and particularly so in the latter stages of the disease. It is generally due to acidity of the alimentary ca.n.a.l, to which the treatment must be directed. Great care should be taken in the selection of the diet to improve the quality and avoid everything which disagrees with the patient. Improve digestion by every possible means. Carbonate of soda and rhubarb, in the form of a syrup, are sometimes excellent. The Compound Extract of Smart-weed, in small doses, will generally diminish the frequency of the discharges.

_Derangement of the Liver_ is often a complication requiring attention, and the timely relief of which goes very far in ameliorating the general condition of the patient. The "Golden Medical Discovery" is generally sufficient to relieve this complication. Its influence, however, may be considerably increased in this direction by the use of Dr. Pierce's Pleasant Pellets, according to the directions which accompany them. They should only be taken in the smallest doses, one or two "Pellets "every day, just enough to produce a natural movement of the bowels each day.

_Uterine Derangements_. In the female, derangement of the menstrual function is generally an early complication of consumption, if indeed it does not occur at the outset. It deserves early attention, and, in addition to the remedies already advised, Dr. Pierce's Favorite Prescription is so compounded as to meet the requirements of this condition, and at the same time exert a favorable influence upon the const.i.tutional disease.

The numerous reports of cures of well-developed cases of Consumption to be found in the back portion of this little treatise must be sufficient, it seems to us, to convince the most skeptical of the wonderful power which Dr. Pierce's Golden Medical Discovery exercises over this terribly fatal malady. As will be noted, many of the cases there reported had long been unsuccessfully treated with cod liver oil emulsion and all the other usual remedies employed by the profession and were fast running down. "Golden Medical Discovery" aroused the stomach and liver, and started all the nutritive functions into action, whereby digestion and nutrition were promoted and both the strength and flesh steadily built up. The reader will bear in mind, that most of the cases hereinafter reported, were p.r.o.nounced Consumption by their attending physicians as well as by us. It cannot be said, therefore, that we exaggerate the malady and that the cases were merely bad, lingering coughs. Thousands, whose maladies have been p.r.o.nounced genuine Tubercular Pulmonary Consumption, (Phthisis Pulmonalis) by eminent physicians have been _perfectly_ and _permanently_ cured by the use of Dr. Pierce's Golden Medical Discovery. It can, therefore, no longer be doubted that this wonderful compound is far superior as a remedy for Consumption to cod liver oil, compound Hypophosphites, and the many other agents so highly extolled, and so generally prescribed for this fatal malady by even the more progressive and advanced of the medical profession of our day. Read the letters received from grateful patients who have been cured and note how many commend the use of "Golden Medical Discovery," as a "last resort," after their home physicians had exhausted all their skill and resources in vain.