Consumption Curable: Observations on the Treatment of Pulmonary Diseases

by Henry Congreve

Of Hoarseness, arising from Cold.

Hoarseness is not only a very distressing and painful complaint, but often extremely obstinate, and very difficult to cure by the customary means. A sense of roughness in the throat, with frequent attempts to clear it, is generally the first and most early symptom of the disease. It is attended with, or succeeded by irritation of the larynx, exciting a hard and dry cough, hoarseness of voice, with a sense of tightness across the chest, and sometimes with soreness and pain upon breathing deeply, or coughing. Lassitude, aching of the limbs, cold chills, and shiverings, are now apparent, with but little expectoration of the opaque matter that irritates the part; which, from neglect of the means of totally removing it, assumes other characters, and rapidly passes into inflammation of the lungs.

The larynx, or top of the windpipe, is the seat of this complaint; and to great tenderness or soreness of the surrounding part, with a thickened state of its natural moisture, may be ascribed the cause producing it. This is always perceptible to those who are hoarse, who, in endeavouring to speak out to render their voice audible, feel that part of the throat extremely painful and tender; and if, at any time, they expectorate, or discharge a portion of phlegm, it is very firm, thick, and tenacious, and often tinged with blood—but they are enabled to speak more freely afterwards, until a re-accumulation of the matter, which occasions the disease, ensues. The Balsam is a natural and truly excellent remedy in such cases, for it possesses great power in softening and dissolving the tough phlegm; and it is, moreover, an excellent pectoral and balsamic, on which account, nothing can be more suited for curing the complaint, which fact repeated experience has confirmed.

The subjects of this disorder are always worse in the morning. The acrid humours which occasion it, collect, accumulate, and spread themselves over the affected parts during the night, undisturbed; and on rising from bed in the morning, the oppression induced is severely felt. On this account, also, those who are subjected to these oppressions from thick, glutinous phlegm, feel more uneasiness at this time, than perhaps any other part of the day.—The remedy should, therefore, never be omitted at night in such cases, and ought to be again repeated early in the morning.

Those who suffer from hoarseness, should refrain, as much as possible, from any attempt at loud talking, because those efforts invariably increase the malady. Although night and morning are the periods when the use of the Balsam is indicated, in such cases, it will do good taken at any time of the day, in small doses, as the occasion requires. If, therefore, the patient labouring under this harassing complaint have occasion to speak much, he should always guard against the consequences, by previously taking a dose, to sheathe the lungs, and the subjoining parts affected. He will then be enabled to articulate with greater ease and comfort to himself, more intelligibly to his auditory, and prevent that violent straining which inevitably aggravates and increases the disorder.

When any person afflicted with hoarseness is going into company where his conversational powers will be unavoidably called into action, it will be advisable to take a dose of the Balsam, incorporated with honey; and again renew it, should not the first relieve him—which relief he would in vain endeavour to obtain by violent efforts—such efforts, without the use of this remedy, would only add to the existing evil.

Speaking with ease and clearness, is agreeable to every one; but to some it is of the utmost importance. The clergyman, who officiates in his duties as a minister in the pulpit; the advocate, who pleads the cause of his client at the bar; the actor, who caters on the stage, for the amusement of the spectators; and those vocalists, who contribute to the delight of the assembly or the concert, are often distressed in the highest degree by hoarseness, which it is of consequence should be obviated by the use of a counteracting remedy. In these cases, this medicine will certainly afford permanent relief.

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.