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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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162  

Murchison. -- Good nourishment, and removal to a dry climate of equable temperature. Since I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Bowditch in London, more than fifteen years ago, when he demonstrated his views to a meeting of the London Medical Society of Observation, held at my house, I have been satisfied of their soundness, and for many years I have taught them annually in my lectures.

163  

Plimpton. -- Dry locality and fat meat.

164  

Bennet. -- Hygiene, and country life.

165  

Snow. -- Warm clothing, especially of the chest, arms, legs, and feet, in infancy, childhood and early youth, particularly in females; good food; a large amount of out-door exercise; little brain-labor before fourteen years of age; a general observance of the laws of health, and no "dosing."

166  

Blanchard. -- By keeping the digestive and assimilative organs in a healthy condition, and avoiding those causes which produce a certain inflammatory condition of the lung tissue, which almost invariably results in the deposition of tubercle.

167  

Smith. -- (a) Proper food, which should consist largely of milk; as the proportion of milk is diminished, animal fats must be taken in other forms; also vegetable oils, in the form of nuts. Beef, mutton, fowl and fish, so varied as always to be relished. Fruit and vegetables, in variety and abundance. Unbolted cereals in proper quantities. (b) Proper clothing, with particular attention to the temperature of the extremities, both sleeping and waking, (c) Sufficient opportunity for sunlight and fresh air, with exercise, (d) Plenty of sleep, in large, dry, and well-ventilated apartments. (e) Avoidance of excitement, fatigue, and exposure to any depressing influences. (f) When the child is well fed and cared for in other matters of hygiene, there is little to be done in the way of medication; but I have thought that the Tr. Ferri Chloridi, largely diluted with the sirup of sugar, and taken after the meals, for a period of one or two weeks at a time, with like intervals, one of the best medicinal agents to use.

168  

Fisher. -- Frequent change of residence; selection of healthy locations on dry, porous soil; in unshaded houses; sleeping apartments ample, well ventilated, in second or third story, admitting sunlight freely; with the greater part of daylight spent in the open air; in moderate and judicious exercise; and with the observance of the well-established hygienic laws, as regards clothing, diet, mental emotions, &c. An observation of twenty years gives me the fullest conviction that quite a number whom I have now in mind, and who at this time are enjoying tolerable, if not robust, health, would have long ago filled consumptives' graves, but for precautionary measures, including those enumerated above, which, by advice, they have observed in a greater or less degree. Some of these had only strong predisposition; others had actual tubercular deposition, with all the usual symptoms of incipient phthisis, lasting from three to fifteen months, and having added, in the latter number, the physical condition of confirmed consumption. I must admit, however, that some cases which seemed as favorable for recovery as these now living, and observing the same hygienic influences, have succumbed within two or three years from the first attack. Nevertheless, I have not the slightest doubt that a great number may be saved.

169  

Howe. -- First of all, the hygiene of the system claims our attention. This is mainly comprised in four things -- clothing, rest, exercise and diet. The person should wear flannels next the skin, throughout; he should observe perfect regularity with regard to the remaining three; should retire and rise early; should take plenty of exercise in the open air, always remembering to be suitably clad.

170  

An out-door employment should always be preferred for one having a tuberculous diathesis. The diet should be thoroughly substantial, nutritious, and easily digestible. Excess in eating, as in exercise, should be avoided.

171  

The above, I consider first in importance; but secondly, what can we do by way of medication?

172  

Cod-liver oil has proved more efficacious in my hands than all else. I can refer to cases which presented marked symptoms of tuberculosis, which came up, under its persevering use. By persevering, I mean six, twelve, eighteen months, or more. Many fail in obtaining the desired effect because they do not continue the remedy long enough.

173  

Fourth Question.

174  

This question, and the subsequent ones, up to and including number eight, were suggested in order to meet the absorbing interest which we all have in the terrible evil of in- temperance. Doubtless, in the estimation of many readers, some of these questions may seem useless, or perhaps absurd; and the results may seem equally futile, in the estimation of others. But, as I consulted brevity, in order to get any answers, I hope that all captious indifference, or opposition, will rest while we try to arrive at some results, however small, towards the elucidation of this subject of such importance to the future health, morality and intellect of the people of Massachusetts.

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