MEDICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9491, 21 April 1894, Page 1 (Supplement)

MEDICAL NOTES.

ON CONSUMPTION.

Consumption is a disease in which there is rapid wasting of flesh, loss of strength, and destruction of the lung substance. Its victims are oftenest from those reared in luxury, and who do not have much physical exertion or work. But it attacks all 3orts and conditions of persons from the noble to the peasant. Those who are just come to manhood or womanhood, and are on the threshold of life, are struck down; and more often the talented, gifted, and beautiful than coarser humanity. There are mora deaths from consumption between twenty-five and thirty-five than at any other ago. Next in the order of fatality is the period between the twentieth and thirtieth years, then from the fiftieth to the sixtieth year, while between the sixtieth and seventieth years, and between the fifteenth and twentieth years about the same number die from consumption. It is also worthy of note that more males than females die from this disease. In consumption both lungs are usually affected, but one lung is generally worse than the, other. This disease has been said to be due to a deposition of tubercular matter in the lung tissues. Under favourable conditions this sets up inflammation and breaking up of the lung tissues, and is accompanied by the symptoms we call consumption. This tuberculous matter is deposited chiefly at the upper parts of the lungs, and it is at these parts j where the first signs are usually found, which are due to the destruction of the tissues that compose the lungs. The causes of consumption are many, bub they may be all summed up in one phrase, " bad hygienic conditions," to which we may add a weakly system or a scrofulous constitution. Persons who breathe impure air, no matter how it has been made impure, will suffer from weak lungs, and if they disobey the rest of the hygienic rules which govern health, consumption may arise. Air is the most essential condition of life. We breathe oftener than 20,000 times a day. If the air we breathe contains ever so small a quantity of impurity, this adds up in the twentyfour hours, and gives us a great total of bad matter at the end of the day. If the air breathed does not contain the full amount of oxygen, waste products are not got rid of, bub remain in the system and keep disease active when it has once arisen. In a future artice we will deal with the cure—so far as it is possible—of consumption by natural means. ABOUT TOOTHACHE. Carbolic acid is of great service in relieving toothache, especially when this comes from a decayed tooth. The cavity of the tooth should be cleaned out and dried with cotton wool, and the acid should then be applied as follows : —Take a piece of wood cut to the size of the cavity— toothpick or a match will do—and dip the end of it into carbolic acid of full strength. Should the hole be very large, a little cotton wool may be twisted round the end of the piece of wood. Great care must be taken not to touch the gum or cheeks, as the acid would blister them. The crystals of carbolic acid can be melted by warming. Of course, carbolic acid is a strong corrosive poison, and ib is very necessary to keep ib out of the reach of children. CORNS. Corns are the most common of all the causes of tender feet and difficulty in walking. They are the result of continued pressure, and consist of thickened, hard, dry layers of the outer skin ; layer forming on layer until a little pile of hard, dry tissue results, which projects from the surround- j ing skin, and so becomes more and more exposed to pressure. There are three quite different modes of treatment, in addition to the need for boots fitting the feet properly. The old treatment was by regular cutting away of thin slices from the face of the corn with a sharp razor. This method is really one of continuous relief, but has nothing curative in it; another form of this treatment is to file away the outer layers. The second treatmenb aims at removal of the little central core of the corn by a knife or spud, under the impression that if this core be removed the corn will not grow again. The third or modern medical, rather than surgical treatment, is by the frequent c application of pigments, which soften or dissolve hard animal matters, such as horn, skin, gristle, etc. Ether is the principal ingredient of these liquids, and to it is added salicylic acid, which is antiseptic and also tends to soften hard skin ; many chemists add to these a proportion of tincture of cannabis e.s a pain reliever. This mixture for painting upon corns is sometimes sold under the name of salicylic collodion ; it undoubtedly does soften the corns if applied regularly; they become soddened, and any blunt knife can peel them Off in layers ; a tender spot is left which requires a little ointment to heal it. If after this treatment the old boots are laid aside and the new ones are properly shaped, the corns may not grow again at all; corns, in fact, appear to be a form of nature's remedy ana warning, showing thab undue pressure is being exercised upon some joint or other tender part, and nature's warnings ought not to be disregarded. HOT WATER DRINKING. There are four classes of persons who should nob drink large quantities of hob water. These are as follows —1. People who have irritability of the heart. Hob water will cause palpitation of the heart in such cases. 2. Persons with dilated stomachs. 3. Persons afflicted with " sour stomach." 4. Persons who have soreness of the stomach, or pain' induced by tight pressure. These rules are nob for those who take hot water simply to relieve thirsb, bub as a means of washing out the stomach. Hob water will relieve thirsb better than cold water, and for that purpose is nob to be condemned. Bub hot water is an excitant, and in cases in which irritation of the i stomach exists should be avoided.— 1 Family Doctor. ) ■ .v > >