(1.) The avoidance of the causes concerned in the production and perpetuation of the disease.
(2.) The restoration of healthy nutrition, in order to stop the formation of tuberculous matter.
(3.) The arrest of the abnormal breaking down of the tissues, and the prevention of emaciation.
(4.) The relief of local symptoms, and the complications arising from other diseases.
The fulfillment of the first indication, the avoidance of causes, is of the utmost importance, for if they have been sufficient to produce the disease, their continued operation must certainly be sufficient to perpetuate it. A single individual is very often subjected to the operation of several of the causes already enumerated, some of which, in consequence of circumstances and surroundings, are unavoidable. Of these, the one most difficult to overcome is climate; i.e. the frequent variations of temperature.
Upon the subject of climate much has been written. But that which is best adapted to the cure of consumption, is that which will enable the patient to pass a certain number of hours every day in the pure open air, without exposure to sudden alterations of temperature. There are very few persons who change their place of residence, except as a last resort, when the disease is in the last stage. It is then productive of little or no good. This is one reason why so many people having consumption die in Florida, and other warm countries. If a change of climate is to be effected at all, it should be made early.
The most powerful stimulant to health is well-regulated exercise. It assists the performance of every function, and is of paramount importance to promote good digestion and proper assimilation, conditions essential for recovery. It should not, however, be carried beyond the powers of endurance of the individual, so as to exhaust or fatigue. Everything that can invigorate should be adopted; everything that exhausts should be shunned.
To fulfill the second indication, to restore healthy nutrition, requires not only a proper diet, both as regards quantity and quality, but demands that the integrity of the organs concerned in the process of digestion and assimilation, shall be maintained at the highest standard of perfection possible.
That the diet be sufficient in quantity should be obvious to all. It is also necessary that it be nutritious, and that it should contain carbonaceous elements. Food of a starchy or saccharine character is apt to increase acidity, and interfere with the assimilation of other elements, therefore, articles, rich in fatty matters, should enter largely into the diet. The articles of food best adapted to the consumptive invalid are milk, rich cream, eggs, bread made from unbolted wheat-flour, and raised with yeast, cracked wheat, oatmeal, good butter, beef, game, and fowls. These contain the necessary elements for assimilation. Oily food is of great importance, and the beef eaten should contain a good proportion of fat. Plenty of salt should always be eaten with the food, and a desire for it is often experienced. Over-eating should be avoided, lest the stomach be induced to rebel against articles of diet rich in important elements.
Derangement of the process of nutrition requires careful attention, and, if necessary, correction. For this purpose, nothing can excel Dr. Pierce's Golden Medical Discovery. It increases the appetite, favors the nutritive transformation of the food, enriches the blood, and thus retards the deposition of tubercular matter. It is so combined that, while it meets all these indications, it relieves or prevents the development of those distressing symptoms so common in this disease.