Consumption Curable: Observations on the Treatment of Pulmonary Diseases

by Henry Congreve

OF CATARRH, COLD, INFLUENZA, AND COUGH; AND HOOPING COUGH, TO WHICH CHILDREN ARE ESPECIALLY LIABLE.

Although Catarrhs, or Colds, are the most common of all disorders, there are few which are less understood, or have called forth a greater diversity of opinion. Persons of a phlegmatic temperament, delicate constitution, and relaxed habit of body—and those with long necks and narrow chests, or who indulge in warm apartments and beds—who rise late, and take but little exercise in the open air—are most liable to the complaint.

In the spring and autumnal seasons, or in wet and changeable weather, its attacks are most general and severe. The coldness and moisture of the atmosphere, or in other states of the air, not perceptible to the senses, but which impede and check the insensible perspiration of the skin, or cutaneous surface, are the chief and prevailing exciting causes. When it arises from epidemic or infectious sources, as it sometimes does, the disorder is attended with symptoms of a febrile character, and is usually very severe in its effects; and in this case, it not only extends to the digestive mucus, producing great debility, but along the air passages, exciting cough, difficulty of breathing, and a host of melancholy feelings, to which the asthmatic are the constant subjects.

The uncertainty of our climate renders its inhabitants extremely liable to Colds; and one of the common effects arising from them is a Cough. A Cough is too frequently slighted, because it is common; but if the danger attendant on this apparently unimportant affection, were known, and the remedy applied in time, much mischief would be prevented. In young persons especially, Coughs are often the forerunners of Consumption; and in those who are far advanced in life, though not in the same degree liable to this dangerous consequence, the complaint will become habitual and confirmed, and of course most troublesome and distressing.

Colds are often brought on by taking hot liquors previous to going out of a warm room into the air in a cold evening; but generally they arise from an exposure of the body to the atmosphere, when it is heated above its usual temperature; or from a sudden transition from heat to cold. The natural perspiration is, in a great measure, retarded by the obstruction of the cutaneous pores; and the abundant humours, which should have passed off through the skin, lodge in the internal surface of the throat and lungs, where, by their quantity and acrimony, they create a constant tickling and wheezing, with a peculiar painful and distressing sensation; and the lungs, by endeavouring to dislodge the accumulated matter, become subject to a state of inflammation, with a harassing Cough, as the natural result.

In this case, those means must be used which will attenuate and subdue this acrimonious humour, lessen its quantity, and carry it off by the urinary passages; and this cannot be effected with advantage, but by ingredients of a balsamic quality, which, while they act with efficacy, will also mollify and sheathe the parts, and preserve them from the results which a chemical action of the corrosive matter would otherwise produce. Such then is the Balsam, herein recommended, which, for these purposes, can never be sufficiently extolled; and, in most cases, it acts as a preventative, as well as cure.

We would respectfully advise that on the first appearance of the Cough, recourse be immediately had to the remedy, of which one or two doses will generally cure. There are but few who do not suffer a Cough to be neglected, until it has gained a firm hold, and affects the whole frame, by febrile and other symptoms. If such be the case, no time must be lost in commencing with the remedy, and persevering in its use—as in these cases, it is a decided specific.

In Chronic Coughs, arising from a loaded state of the air vessels of the lungs with mucus, it proves pre-eminently beneficial, by increasing the power of the patient to expectorate the irritating matter; at the same time allaying irritability in the membrane lining the wind-pipe, &c.

A recent Cold may be cured by an extra full dose of the Balsam, taken at night. As in all Colds and Coughs, fever is an attendant symptom, the patient should refrain as much as possible from the use of meat, and especially strong spirituous liquors; and take gentle exercise in the open air, when the weather will admit; of course avoiding all draughts, which would renew and increase the Cold.

Disorders, which have been slowly induced, and established a firm hold in the constitution, will, of course, require a little time to pass off, even with the utmost care. No person, however, need suffer a Cough to fix upon him, if he will have timely recourse to this medicine; but if either by neglect or ignorance of the remedy, or other remedies, it has become habitual and confirmed, the use of this specific for a short period, twice or thrice a day, with an occasional dose of some gentle opening medicine, will complete the cure. This course must not be omitted by young persons especially, because, if the Cough in its early stages is neglected, Consumption will inevitably be produced. Had it no other excellent qualities to recommend its fame, it is, in this respect, entitled to a high estimate, as we shall hereafter demonstrate. How often do we notice medical men at a pause, not knowing what to do with obstinate and rebellious Coughs, which are proof against all their medicines; whereas there is no case of this kind in which the Balsam does not effect permanent advantage. Certainly, the sooner it is taken, the more speedily will the benefit be manifested; but there is no period when (with due regard to temperance and exercise, and perseverance with the remedy) it will not effect a permanent and radical cure.