Part 2

The phenomena of Asthma arises from increased excitement of the branches of the eighth pair of nerves, distributed over the larynx, and the internal membrane of the wind-pipe, and bronchiæ, brought on by a certain condition of the atmosphere, probably with respect to electric matter: for, opposite states of the air, with regard to its temperature, density, or humidity, do not disorder asthmatic subjects, so much as easterly or north-easterly winds. In consequence of the excitement of the nerves of the larynx, &c., the respiratory muscles, particularly those which perform the functions of expiration, become affected by spasms, whereby the free admission of the irritating air into the lungs is promoted. This is manifest by the excessive paroxysms, very similar to that which ensues on an attack of Asthma, which immediately follows an artificial irritation, the membrane of the larynx. The suffocating sensation produced by a morsel of food lodging in the membrane in the act of swallowing (usually attributed by unprofessional persons to “the food going the wrong way,”) is of this nature. The muscles concerned in expiration immediately contract, to prevent the admission of an obnoxious article into the wind-pipe; and this state of muscles will continue many minutes: and, in asthmatics, whose nerves of the parts are morbidly irritable, it has continued many hours.

It would be incompatible with the design of this pamphlet, and perhaps superfluous to enter minutely into a description of what Asthma is—especially as no disease shows itself more distinctly. The individual, occasionally attacked by wheezing, difficulty of breathing, and tightness of the chest, need not be assured that he is asthmatical; but it will be a source of consolation to inform him, that his case is really curable, by this valuable medicine, as experience in the worst cases has amply confirmed. As the use of the Balsam is persevered in, the paroxysms abate, the attendant cough becomes freer, and is accompanied by gentle expectoration; and, in proportion to the increase of the cough and expectoration, the distressing symptoms decrease—a more free passage of air being now admitted to and from the lungs.

Some individuals are continually asthmatic, and others are subject to it only occasionally, when it comes on in fits: this remedy will be found intrinsically valuable to such, because it will loosen the tough phlegm, which oppresses the lungs and produces shortness of breath, and cause its removal by expectoration.

Those who have a confirmed Asthma, should form the Balsam into a syrup, by mixing with it about an equal quantity of fine honey, (having previously dissolved it by heat, and removed the wax and impurities which arise to its surface,) and, when thus incorporated, taking a dessert spoonful, or two tea-spoonsful, night and morning; and, in some cases, once or twice throughout the day. The paroxysms will speedily terminate, after short perseverance in the use of these means; and, by bringing on a free expectoration, every asthmatic sensation will speedily disappear. When taken in the day-time, it effectually keeps off the evening exacerbation or paroxysm. In cases of winter or irritable cough, arising from an increased excitement of the bronchial nerves, and a certain state of the atmosphere, it is also a most valuable remedy. The Elixir more speedily and permanently allays morbid irritation, or increased excitement of the nerves of the larynx, wind-pipe, and lungs, than any other known remedy.

The only difference between a winter Cough and Asthma is, that the seat of the former is in the membrane lining the bronchial tube, while the latter is in the membrane of the larynx, and upper part of the wind-pipe.

For those who have an Asthma, the attacks of which are periodical, and the fits regular, this Balsam will be highly useful. The fits of this species of the disease come on about every ten days; they are more violent, and last longer in summer than in winter; and the symptoms are highly aggravated by intemperance and irregularity. These fits are certainly rendered much more tolerable, and are slighter when expectoration comes on. The Balsam should therefore be regularly taken in such doses as to produce this: and the approach of the fits should be carefully watched, that the remedy may be taken in sufficient doses prior to the commencement. If the patient feel a tightness about the pit of the stomach shortly after dinner, it is a certain indication that an attack will shortly ensue; in which case, one or two tea spoonsful of the Balsam should be immediately taken, mixed in a similar quantity of honey, or, in absence of honey, lump sugar: he should remain quite still, in an erect posture; and in about half an hour afterwards renew the dose. When the stomach is swelled, and the patient is flatulent, it is an infallible sign that the fit is gaining strength, and a tightness of the chest and lungs will follow. About once in two hours half a spoonful, or more, of the Balsam must be taken for three times more; when the patient should be put to bed, and lie with his head high. The fit often comes on with violence about two o’clock in the morning: the invalid retires to rest fatigued, and inclined to sleep; and, after exhibiting sensations of uneasy restlessness, he falls asleep, and is harassed by uneasy and embarrassed dreams; startings in his sleep, and other nervous symptoms often attend, and indicate the tendency to a fit: he awakes in restless anxiety, and is obliged to toss about, and change his posture, or sit up in bed, in expectation of relief; but, owing to the increase of the spasms, his breathing becomes increasingly impeded, and he pants for breath with unspeakable anxiety. He should then get up, and drink freely of the infusion recommended in Consumption (page 10); and take a dose of the Balsam incorporated with honey, which will promote the expectoration, and generally carry off the fit. The heat of the bed, and the posture of lying, both increase the complaint.

As aperients, judiciously combined with bitters, tonics, stimulants, or antispasmodics, with a view of promoting the abdominal secretions, without depressing the vital energies, and of deriving from the lungs any accumulation of morbid matter which cannot be expectorated; such a combination _with_ Camphor, as contained in “Dr. Flemming’s Quinine and Camphor Pills” (prepared by the Author in boxes at 4_s._ 6_d._ each, containing a Treatise on Indigestion, Diet, and Regimen, &c.) is peculiarly serviceable in this disorder, TAKEN IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE BALSAM, in sufficient doses to remove the accumulation of bile in the biliary organs, and of the _sordes_ retained in the mucus surface of the bowels; and it should be observed that purgatives are always better borne when combined with Camphor, and are then most proper in all stages of the disease. When expectoration is rendered difficult, and the cough suffocating, from the tenacity and consistency of the matter, as is not unfrequently the case, the Balsam, in conjunction with the “Camphor Pills” alluded to, will be found an invaluable remedy. The virtues of Camphor in this disease have been singularly overlooked by the writers on this subject, _as an adjunct_ to other balsamics, pectorals, and expectorants; but administered in this form, it is doubtless the most valuable remedy we possess in this, as well as in several other diseases, and particularly of those consequent on debility or disorder in the digestive organs, which require a tonic, and a stimulating remedy. When the bowels require evacuation, strong purgatives must on no account be resorted to: because such measures tend very considerably to check and diminish expectoration; but gentle aperients of a cooling nature should not be neglected, when a tendency to constipation points out the need of a remedy to relieve the system, and nothing can be better adapted for that purpose than the foregoing combination.

By recourse to these means, the lengthened fits of Asthma will be prevented; and if the disease be established in the constitution, a due perseverance with the remedy will effectually eradicate every symptom.

With regard to the course of life of the asthmatic—great care should be observed to choose a proper air; experience will soon point out what air is best, and no certain rule can be definitely given. Where the patient breathes most easy he ought to reside. He should lie with his head high, and not be too much encumbered with bedclothes; must avoid a stooping or a leaning posture; when he writes, use a high desk; and read sitting upright; and should always accustom himself to moderate and gentle exercise. These cautions are important, for, by their observance, with a moderate diet, early rising, and light supper—an increase of the disorder will be prevented; and the use of the Balsam will subdue what is already established in the constitution.

The patients _beverage_ should also receive particular attention. Barley-water and lemonade, but especially the infusion before referred to, may be freely taken. Change of air will generally prove beneficial; and flannel worn next the skin be of service. Constipation of the bowels must be avoided; and whenever that disposition is manifest, immediate recourse should be had to such an aperient remedy as above described.

OF PULMONARY CONSUMPTION.

Pulmonary Consumption is accompanied with general emaciation, debility, pain in the side or chest, difficulty of breathing on taking the slightest exercise, and a Cough, which usually proves most troublesome towards morning. In its advanced stage, a viscid expectoration, with hectic fever and diarrhœa, ensues. The predisposing causes of this complaint are too numerous herein to detail, but the disease generally commences by a cold, taken in the winter season, which brings on at first a common cough, that from neglect settles on the lungs. The lungs become gradually and increasingly obstructed, inflamed, and ulcerated; a slow fever attends the latter stages of the disorder, when the case imports the existence of considerable danger. Those of a delicate structure and weakly habits, between the ages of 16 and 25, are most liable to this disease.

It has appeared from the calculations of an eminent Physician, that the annual mortality from diseased lungs throughout Great Britain, amounts to one hundred and forty thousand, and that from this class of disorders more than one third expire from Pulmonary Consumption. When we consider the size and peculiar construction of the lungs, their perpetual motion, the chemical process going on in them, and their exposure to the action of contaminated air, or sudden changes in its temperature, it can be no matter of surprise that Pulmonary Complaints are so frequent; and the lungs, not possessing the same natural powers of removing diseased structure, or of mutation as other parts of the body, we may account for their fatal termination from the want of application of proper auxiliaries, as counteractives. Various and contradictory are the opinions of medical men, as to the hectic fever, which is symptomatic of the disorder, being a primary disease, and some absurd notions have been advanced in support of their statements. The recapitulation of these opinions will not, however, interest the afflicted, or casual reader. One proof of the discrepance of their statements on the origin of this disease, must, however, be advanced: Dr. Young considers that, “the want of proper nourishment is the most frequent cause of Consumption.” If so, it may be inquired, how does it happen that the disease most frequently occurs in the families of the opulent? Dr. Lambe, a man of equal experience, fearlessly asserts, “that an excessive use of animal food is among the most prominent and prevalent procuring causes of the disease,” and consequently recommends a vegetable diet. Surely, it may be observed, these contradictory opinions are not likely to increase the confidence of the public in the healing art.

It has been said, and is generally believed, that Consumptions are incurable. This fact cannot be established. Moreover, the doctrine involves the most fearful consequences; for cases, which in themselves are hopeful, are rendered hopeless from the neglect of proper means, from the groundless apprehensions that no medicines can succeed, and death inevitably ensues. The patient afflicted with cough, expectoration, shortness of breath, and other pectoral symptoms, is calmly consigned to the slow ravages of hectic fever and Consumption. After a few weeks or months of suffering, he dies: this is regarded only as a matter of course. An inspection takes place—the lungs are found studded with tubercles, and an ulcer of more or less extent in some part of them. The pathologist immediately asks, in significant triumph, what possible good could medicines have done in such a case? by what mode of treatment could an organ so diseased have been restored? But another case occurs, the invalid complains precisely of the same symptoms: he has cough, expectoration, wheezing in the chest, and difficulty in breathing—he gradually falls away in flesh, and the hectic fever increases. Palliatives are resorted to, as in the former case, not to cure, which is considered impossible, but simply to alleviate his suffering—he also dies. On inspection, the lungs are found generally sound; no tubercles are discovered; but there is found to be an ulcerated spot of more or less extent in the bronchial membrane. We are forthwith informed, that an ulcerated or thickened condition of the bronchial membrane, with purulent secretion, is a fatal disorder, even although the lungs are otherwise perfectly sound: that in fact, in this case, as there was no difference in the symptoms from the former, and none in the result, so there could have been none made in the method of treatment—that remedies were alike unavailing in both.

Without under-estimating the importance of morbid anatomy, we must observe, that when it is carried to the unwarrantable length of introducing such paralysing and disheartening scepticism into medical science, it is productive of extensive and serious practical evils that counterbalance the benefits which would otherwise result from it. Hundreds, nay, thousands of cases of death are day by day occurring, exactly as above described. Indeed, it is a well-established fact, that in this country alone, the annual number of deaths by pulmonary consumption greatly exceeds 50,000.

When it is considered, further, that in every individual case of the above solemn catalogue of deaths in disease, medical skill has been resorted to, and found unavailing; the practitioner is reluctantly constrained to pronounce every similar case as equally hopeless, and beyond the power of remedies to cure. This is manifestly a fallacious mode of reasoning, leading to an erroneous conclusion.

Before we concede to the morbid anatomist, that an ulcerated or diseased lung is necessarily incurable, we demand, by what direct method can that assertion be proved, that tubercles, once existing in the lungs, cannot possibly be absorbed during life, and the healthy texture again restored? This point cannot be incontrovertibly demonstrated: who then can limit the powers of the living texture in self-restoration? The conclusion, that ulceration of the lungs is incapable of restoration, is founded only upon indirect induction, and amounts, in fact, to nothing but conjecture. There is but one way of disproving the inference that Pulmonary Consumption is incurable, and that is by an appeal to facts. If it can be established that in cases, where, from the attendant symptoms the same reasons have existed for inferring disorders of the lungs to exist, as in the case of those who die; yet that these invalids have, under a judicious mode of treatment, gradually lost these serious symptoms, and have at length recovered—an argument is made out, not only in favour of the possibility of cure in this disease, but positively that it is curable in most of its stages, by adopting those remedies which assist nature in throwing off the diseased matter, healing the injured surface by the application of balsamics and restoratives, possessing the power of new creating, in the lieu of diseased surface, living and healthy structure—so long, we again repeat, as a solitary case of cure has been effected (and there are many) under the most unpromising circumstances, philosophy and humanity alike oppose the practice of abandoning to its fate any case in which there is at least a hope of cure.

Those who allege that Pulmonary Consumption is incurable, from the results obtained by inspections after dissolution, can substantiate no claim to depreciate the efficacy of remedial agents, until they supply us with unequivocal symptoms, whereby we may determine between cases which are and which are not curable. It is mere trifling to assert that all medical means in the cure of the diseased were unavailing, and that the disorder was incurable. This is sufficiently apparent to need that information. But, what we require is, a certain criterion during the life of the patient, to form our judgment between the curable cases, and those which are pronounced incurable; which we must possess before we can admit the necessity of despair in a solitary case. No morbid anatomist has hitherto supplied us with that indispensable information: and the most we can extort from them on the subject is, that in the event of the death of the subject who exhibited certain symptoms of consumption, the disease was necessarily incurable: and the cause assigned is—ulceration in the lungs! But, in the case of recovery of a patient who has experienced similar symptoms, we are informed that there could have been no affection of the vital organs: but, no proof is offered by way of demonstration.

The cases which do terminate fatally are, doubtless, very numerous; and, therefore, the natural conviction deduced from that circumstance is, that wherever diseased lungs make their appearance, all hope of recovery is extinct, and the patient has no alternative but to prepare himself for his exit. Yet, none can deny that recoveries have been effected under the most fearful circumstances, even when solid masses of tubercle have been ejected, or spat up, by which the character of the disease has been most decisive. By reckoning some diseases incurable, and others as past the period of cure, physicians only enact a law of negligence to exempt their own ignorance from discredit and infamy in the eyes of posterity.

It is deplorable that physicians, who have shocked the constitutions of their patients with opium and mercury, never have discovered the mode of effecting a cure. They admit that the fatal issue of this disease they may retard, but cannot avert; and as to their remedies, they have no established mode of treatment; and with respect to their opinions on the origin of the disease, means of arresting it, or palliatives, but few of their number agree; and in ninety-nine cases out of every hundred, they are compelled to abandon the patient to his fate.

It is well known, that those who move in the higher circle of life are frequently the subjects of this obstinate and fatal disorder. Each family has its medical attendant actively engaged when any serious symptom of this disease appears. Patient after patient sinks into an untimely grave, under their united efforts; and the disease is generally pronounced by them of a fatal character. If then, in such extremities, remedial means are discovered which will not only mitigate, but in almost every instance cure the complaint under which the subject labours, such means are entitled to the highest commendation.

As this disorder, like several others, does and will sometimes terminate fatally, in spite of our every effort and means to control it, it is wise to adopt precautionary measures to prevent its approach. The delicate, and those who are susceptible of colds, should avoid exposures to draughts as much as possible, and the change from heated apartments to cold atmospheric air. On the first appearance of cough, they should have immediate recourse to the Balsam before recommended, to deterge the lungs from the obstructing matter—which matter impedes a free respiration, irritates and occasions cough, and ultimately produces the disease. When the disease has further advanced, the Balsam may be regularly taken in the dose of a tea-spoonful, three or four times in the day, mixed with honey (dissolved by heat, and separated from the wax to which it is often combined). The patient must avoid all indigestible meat, and take nutritious broths, jellies, &c., and refrain from spirituous liquors, as he would from a poison. He ought to take gentle and moderate exercise in the early part of the day, when the weather will permit. Whenever a disposition to constipation arises, it should be obviated by the occasional use of mild laxatives, and a salutary relaxation must on no account be checked.

In addition to the Balsam, and what will be preferable to jellies, is a beverage made of an infusion of marshmallow root, which may be freely taken throughout the day for common drink, (made warm when drank;) but no means, however excellent as auxiliaries, will supersede the necessity for the regular use of the Balsam, which imparts to the lungs a healing quality, after it has deterged them from the mucus which clogs their cells and air-pipes.

It was the opinion of the learned HIPPOCRATES, the Father of Physic, that in lingering diseases, a slender and insufficient diet was a dangerous course to pursue; and that a more generous treatment was uniformly necessary in such cases. The strength of the patient should never be reduced, but on the contrary, whatever will yield nourishment to the debilitated system (always avoiding overloading the stomach) may be taken, with a course of the medicinal remedial means herein referred to. Those patients, particularly, who inherit an hereditary predisposition to this complaint, in whom there is a great tendency to debility, should observe an invigorating mode of living; always giving a decided preference to those articles of diet, which they have uniformly found best to agree with their stomach; {10} and that the organs of digestion may not be impaired by the performance of double duty, due attention should always be paid to the proper mastication of the requisite supplies of food, that its dissolvent principle—the saliva, may be incorporated with it, during that important act.

That diet, which most imparts vital power to the blood, and through it to the entire system, must always be preferred in pulmonary cases. By invigorating, we do not mean stimulating food—the object being to strengthen and build up; not to stimulate, and occasion an ultimate reaction, with debility—but permanently to create power. A vegetable diet yields nourishing properties to some, but, in a majority of instances, it is inadequate for the purposes of producing the required nutrition: on the contrary, animal diet partaken with a due regard to the circumstances of the case, always adapting the quantity and quality to the power of digestion, and peculiarities of constitution, so as to prevent fever and disorder, increases the power of the digestive functions, enriches the vital fluid—the blood, and gives tone and vigour to the system.