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Analysis Of A Correspondence On Some Of The Causes Or Antecedents Of Consumption

From: Fourth Annual Report Of The State Board Of Health Of Massachusetts
Creator: Henry I. Bowditch (author)
Date: January 1873
Publisher: Wright & Potter, Boston
Source: State Library of Massachusetts

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108  

Seammell. -- I know of no method of preventing consumption, except by that Mnd of diet and mode of life which, in each individual case, is best adapted to promote vigor and increase tone. I have seen cases where consumption was evidently delayed in its progress by such means, and I have no doubt it may be sometimes, prevented in those hereditarily disposed. I suppose Dr. Bowditch remembers the case in the Massachusetts General Hospital, exhibited and described to the class by Dr. Jacob Bigelow, when I attended lectures, nearly thirty years since. The man was sixty years old, and had been in consumption forty years. During that long period the disease had been kept at bay by the patient's pursuit of mackerel-fishing, which agreed with him. Of course, the particular mode of life should differ in different cases.

109  

Haskell. -- I think the proportion of fatal cases much less at the present day than they were forty years ago, when I began practice, owing, I think, in a great measure, to the mode of treatment. Then it was customary, hereabouts, to use a spare diet and depleting medicines; now, nutritious food and stimulants. It does not confine itself to any trade or occupation.

110  

Reynolds. -- I suppose you wish opinions founded on observation. I have not known consumption apparently prevented in children hereditarily disposed to it, because I have never known means used purposely in due season. I think it might be often prevented by life in the open air, or by a change of climate, before the disease was developed. Such means are rarely resorted to until after symptoms are manifested. A sea-faring life, a life in the army, an agricultural life, especially in a climate little subject to change, are doubtless among the best means of prevention. Compression of the chest, in females, not only injures them and their female offspring, but their male offspring as well. Females with any tendency to consumption should avoid all compression of the chest from earliest childhood.

111  

Downes. -- While some of the medical faculty of our country send their consumptive patients to the West Indies, while other physicians send their patients to Russia, it will be well to suspend judgment until sufficient data are furnished. It would seem, however, that in medias res would be the most judicious. I have no doubt but that moderate out-of-door exercise in a dry, exhilarating atmosphere, like Minnesota, is of more advantage than medicine.

112  

Rice. -- I know of no positive means of preventing consumption in children who have inherited a scrofulous taint from their progenitors. Every means to invigorate, the general health should be used, -- such as a generous diet, pure air, exercise in the open air, warm clothing in winter, dwelling in a high and dry altitude, and, perhaps, the administration of iodine and iron. Also, the patient should not be made to study or occupy the mind in a degree to pro- duce lassitude. I think the constitution can thus be somewhat modified, and perhaps, in some cases, the scrofulous taint completely annihilated.

113  

French. -- Children should be kept, if possible, from the contagion of the exanthemata (measles, scarlet fever, &c), should always be dressed in flannel, take the open air, and as much sunshine as possible; the feet should always be kept dry. If they have eruptions, great care should be used in applying ointments and washes; it is apt to transfer it to the head or lungs. They should practise temperance in all things.

114  

Smith. -- I would answer, first, a selection of a mild, dry and healthy climate; second, constant exercise in the open air (I mean a vigorous, free exercise); third, a highly nutritious food, avoiding pork; fourth, daily application of cold water to the skin, with friction; fifth, the cultivation of a cheerful and happy disposition; sixth, avoidance of all excesses. In this section, atmospheric vicissitudes are the most exciting causes. I have seen many caused by syphilis.

115  

Fiske. -- It has been my opinion that a person predisposed to consumption by hereditary taint, &c, might do much to ward off, or entirely to avoid it, by being well clothed, and taking that kind of exercise, out of doors, which would invigorate the system; and, at night, by sleeping in a dry locality, away from water or low, marshy ground.

116  

Winsor. -- Regular and interesting exercise in the open air, and free admit- tance of fresh air to the dwelling; a regular, easy (but not indolent) life, with cheerful and congenial social relations; plenty of sleep, and of nourishing and palatable food; animal warmth maintained more by clothing, and less by heating apparatus, than is customary.

117  

Barker. -- By avoiding the common causes, and pursuing a hygienic course; by taking active exercise; by occupation; by being much in the open air; and by attending to the first appearance of the disease with appropriate medication.

118  

Collamore. -- I think consumption is prevented in those predisposed to it in some cases, but it is difficult to say how, unless we say, in general terms, by the use of means which conduce to general healthfulness. Hon. and Rev. M. A., called by Mr. Webster "the model farmer of Plymouth County," who died a year since at the advanced age of ninety-four years, was troubled with haemoptysis when a young man, and was thought to have had diseased lungs. I do not know that any special means were employed in his case, but I do know that during his long life he was a model of propriety in eating, drinking and exercise; that he avoided excitement and late hours. I have in mind now a young lady whose life is being prolonged by removal to Minnesota. She is very strongly predisposed, and the disease had commenced before her removal, two years ago, but is now stayed. There seems to be a period, from sixteen to twenty-five, or thereabouts, that seems to be a critical one. If by any means the person is wafted over this period his immunity is very much enhanced. About a year since I lost a patient, the last one of seven children, all of which, with one exception, had died with consumption. She was the only one that I had attended. The others had died in different places, but all young. Two of the others, as well as she, had borne children. In her case I think I kept the disease in check for more than a year, by the use of Savory and Moore's Pancreatic Emulsion. The old homestead is in a dry location.

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