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and consequently not in an integral state to bear any increased exertion or labour! This circumstance has never received the attention in the treatment of this disease which its importance demands,

The Vapour and Warm Shower Baths are the most efficacious, and those who are provided with the necessary apparatus, may have them administered at their pleasure every or every other day; but to those who are not so fortunate, the simple substitution of a large tub, filled with warm water (for the cold bath would give too great a shock to the body) will answer the purpose extremely well, and if it be employed two or three times a week, the practice will relieve the lungs from an undue burden, and the benefit resulting from it will be proportionally great. It ought never to be neglected by the poorest patient. As a general rule, the water ought simply to be warm enough to feel pleasant without giving a positive sensation of heat, and as it will be more effectual if flannel and soap are used with it, the time employed may occupy fifteen or twenty minutes. The cold bath is too powerful in its agency to be used by invalids even ir summer, for it should never be forgotten that in p portion as cold bathing is beneficial when judiciou administered, it is equally hurtful if resorted to whe the constitution is not sufficiently vigorous to secure. reaction after it, which reaction is indicated by a warm glow over the whole surface of the body,

If even simple bathing with warm water is deemed too much labour, the body should be sponged with vinegar and water, or salt and water, which may also be made warm, Friction with the flesh-brush or a towel will also confer a very great benefit in the absence of regular bathing. It not only purifies the surface of the body, but gives a pleasurable sensation of warmth over the whole frame.

No fact in medicine is better established than that which proves the hereditary transmission from parents to children of a tendency in the constitution to pulmonary Consumption; but although Consumption and Scrofula are frequently inherited from parents, and both complaints descend thus from generation to generation, yet it is well observed by Dr. Clark, that inattention to diet frequently originates those diseases in families that are free from all hereditary taint. He shows clearly, that a morbid condition of the system extremely favourable to the production of both Consumption and Scrofula, is speedily brought on by continued mismanagement of diet; for although the lungs are the parts most usually affected by this disease, it is a mistake to suppose that it is a merely local complaint. Very commonly tubercular matter is found, at the same time, in the liver, mesentery, and many other parts; and there can be little doubt that the essential cause of the whole is a particular form of constitution, either inherited from parents, as before said, or brought on by irregular habits, want of fresh air and exercise, or other diseases and circumstances that enfeeble the body. It is not just, therefore, that every individual who labours under either Consumption or Scrofula should look to his progenitors as the cause of the malady, for he may himself be the very first of his family in whom it has made its appearance; and the cause may be looked for in dyspeptic ailments which have paved the way for the inroads of the disease, and completely predisposed the system for its reception. In every family some one must be the first, and this is often the mode of its origin. Neglect of the proper regulation of diet produces imperfect nutrition, which, among the wealthier classes most generally arises from excess in quantity, or a too stimulating quality of food-but among the lower classes, from deficiency in quantity or quality, added to scantiness

of clothing, want of cleanliness, and improper ventilation. In short, whatever is capable of impairing the constitution or general health, is liable to produce a consumptive state-a total change being thus wrought in the fluids and secretions of the body, which gives rise to the formation of tubercles. Mental anxiety also, or any depressing passions long continued, as well as chronic disease of various kinds, predisposes the system to this wasting disease. The remedy for this exciting cause, it is obvious, is within the power of all, except of the very poorest classes; and by proper attention to the general health, avoiding excesses of every description, particularly of hot and vinous liquors, which gradually debilitate the lungs, the malady may in general be averted. Some individuals speedily break down under the various predisposing and active causes which I have enumerated, whilst others bear up much longer before they sink under their baneful influence. To the want of due care is frequently to be attributed many of our diseases and premature decay: as rational and social beings, therefore, who are necessary to each other's happiness, we ought well to combat the first inroads of disease, particularly when the part attacked is vitally important to the healthy economy of the corporeal system.

CASES.

In order to shew the effect generally produced by the treatment I adopt, when the complaint has not advanced to the very last stage, I will here select three Cases from my Prescription Book, and will briefly describe the symptoms and changes that took place in each. initials only of the names are given for obvious reasons, according to the usual plan of medical writers.

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CASE I. A Seaman, E. R. had been suffering for many months from incessant Cough, spitting of Blood, and night perspirations. He was compelled by extreme weakness, arising from these causes, to give up his engagements and come on shore. His cough, at the time he first called to consult me, was most distressing; he had constant pains in the chest; his bowels were extremely torpid, and his whole appearance was emaciated, indicating speedy dissolution, After employing internal medicines and inhalation for a few weeks, a very sensible improvement took place; his cough abated, and the expectoration, which had been very great, was reduced to nearly nothing. The pains in the chest left him by degrees, and his countenance gave evident proofs of radical amendment. His appetite being restored, he very soon acquired his usual flesh and strength, and returned in perfect health to his laborious occupation.

CASE II. J. M., a Mechanic and middle-aged man, had been consumptive for two years, and had undergone every kind of medical treatment generally adopted in such cases, but after experiencing merely transient benefit at various times, he was at length obliged by great debility and a cough of the most harassing description, to relinquish all employment, and take to his bed. The quantity of purulent matter expectorated was astonishing, amounting to nearly

a pint in the twenty-four hours, and was of the most offensive de scription. The digestion was greatly impaired, and the liver very feeble in its action. In this situation he was recommended to put himself under my care. So truly distressing was his state that I utterly despaired of effecting any permanent benefit, but was willing for the sake of humanity, and as a full trial of the powers of inhalation, to see what could be done. Accordingly I commenced by regulating the bowels, and by prescribing a mixture for him to inbale. This plan thoroughly agreed-for he found great relief from the yery first, being able to expectorate much more easily, and the cough being so much diminished that it ceased to give him any considerable pain or distress. He went on gradually mending, with very slight intermissions, so that in six weeks' time the improvement in him was truly remarkable, and he attended with tolerable regularity to his business, shewing every encouraging appearance of being soon restored to sound health. However, in this stage of his convalescence, he had the misfortune one day to get wet through, with no opportunity of immediately changing his clothes, and the consequence was so rapid an increase of every former symptom that the powers of medicine were not able to stem the torrent, and he sank after a very short struggle from the severity of the attack.

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I have not scrupled to state candidly the fatal termination of this case, being desirous of shewing that such an event is not to be admitted as an argument against the treatment, for death was evidently not caused by that state of the lungs which existed prior to his getting wet, although tubercles to a considerable extent had formed and suppurated in them. To the other more prominent cause an impartial judgment will undoubtedly look; for that these tubercles were undergoing the healing process, and that his lungs were in a curable state, is evident from an abatement of all the symptoms attending his case, and from the uncommon accession of strength which the patient had gained and I am convinced that had the untoward event above-mentioned been delayed for two months longer, his Jungs would have acquired sufficient soundness to be proof against the injury. It was on account of being attacked so soon after amendment, before the general powers of his system had rallied to any considerable extent, that death hastened on with such irresistible strides. Even with persons in previous good health, it must not be forgotten, that getting wet through, and remaining with the clothes on, will sometimes cost them their lives; much more then was it to be expected that one who was but just recovering from so serious a malady should be completely set back, all his powers prostrated, and a rapid dissolution of the whole fabric take place. This we find was the case, and it affords a strong example of what is termed a galloping consumption, of which (when it does occur) I repeat that no expectation of a cure can be entertained.

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