It has also been my object, to call the attention of the practitioner, to the earliest symptoms and first dawnings of Consumption. Were they not so much neglected by the physician, as well as the patient, our bills of mortality would not continue to present so frightful a picture of the ravages of this disease; while, on the other hand, a prompt attention to these incipient symptoms, and the interference of an active practice, would afford a reasonable prospect of saving many from Consumption, who are now its victims.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Amer. Med. and Phil. Reg. Vol. I.
[2] Dr. Lettsom observes, that Consumption is decreasing in Great Britain.
Med. and Phil. Reg.
[3] The following judicious remarks on this subject are made by Bayle, in his “Recherches sur la Phthisie Pulmonaire, D’après la notion que j’ai donnée de la Phthisie Pulmonaire, on voit que je dois regarder comme Phthisiques des individus qui n’ont ni fièvre, ni maigreur, ni expectoration purulente: il suffit que les poumons soient affectés d’une lésion qui tend à les désorganiser et à les ulcérer. On ne doit pas regarder cette lésion une simple cause de la Phthisie, mais comme le premier temps de cette maladie, puisque la Phthisie est cette lésion même dont la continuation et le developement successif amènent la mort. Il seroit donc bien peu raisonnable de vouloir attendre, pour reconnoitre la Phthisie Pulmonaire, qu’elle fut constamment parvenue à son dernier degré qui est le moment où ses symptômes pathognomoniques sont bien marqués.”
[4] Dr. Reid.
[5] Dr. Hosack.
[6] Dr. Lind states, that out of 360 patients whom he attended between July 1, 1758, and July 1, 1760, in consumption, the disease was brought on one fourth of them by falls, bruises and strains, received a year or two before it made its appearance.
[7] Dr. Reid.