IS CONSUMPTION CURABLE?

Waikato Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 3483, 25 October 1894, Page 2

IS CONSUMPTION CURABLE?

To this (writes Dr. T. R. Allison) I answer certainly, in its Earlier stages; but this positive answer cannot be given in its later stages, as then the system is too weak;; and: the lung tissues too much broken np, to hope for a complete cure; though much good may even then be done, and life made more endurable while it lasts, vl write this positively because my. experience has! taught methatcpn- ■ sumption can be stayed and cured. Knowing also the origin of this dire disease, I etop! the cause at once and so prevent it-getting worse. How then are we to cure this complaint ? In the first place all injurious habits must be forbidden, and everything that lowers the vital powers or lessens strength avoided. Secondly; we must build upf the health and strength, and aid the system to get rid of waste matters. By these meaus, the general tone of the body is gradually raised, the low inflammation in the lung tissues gradually goes awayj and health is regained. If then the person will live hygienically for the future he need never have a return of the malady. The bad habits which must he avoided are chiefly those of taking alcoholic liquors and of smoking or chewing tobacco. Theold treat tnent by rum and milk in theearly morning, port wine for lunch,oregg and port wine in ,thefoffnoon,and stout at dinner time and supper time is bad. These things do Jiarm rather than.good, waste vital energy, and so,cause the disease to progress more rapidly. Rum and milk, old port, stout, and all alcoholic drinks must therefore be given, up by consumptives who wish to 1 regain health, Tobacco, must not be used by them, as it disturbs and delays digestion; inflames the throat, and lowers the vitality. Excessive exercise, late hours/ and other excesses must also be discontinued I etronifly protest against the use of drugs in this disease; that they do muoh harm I am sure, that they do any lasting good I positively deny. There have been score* of things recommended for the cure of this complaint, but tbey have all failed to cure. This list contains iron, digitalis, Nuxi; vomica, prussic acid, arsenic,nitrohydrochlorioacid, hypopho. ;sphiteß, codliver oil, malt extract, ua. First is praised to the skies, then .thit is thrown aside and a seoohd taken! then a third, and so the drug fejfow \[ play;.the .changes on one drug After iahother" until the patient recovers in spite of the poisons, or else dies under their oar J death and suffering being made moresure when deadly drugs are used. At the age of IS I;wa8 under drug' treatment for the first stage of consumption; I was made bad. with cod liver oil, wine, stout, and drugs. Had it not been for the out* door life T was told to lead, and the stopping have f iVid\ i Intern. What really set me up was simple food, «ea bathiDg, and bard daily; exercise in fttie. ; 'florin 1-. Whilst writing' .against drags, tortures, -These' are blisters to the chest, in croton oil, and painting with All tbefle are worse than uselm Instead Hi drawing the inflammation to the, Furface, another ioflHramation is set up besides that in the chest, and the system has to heal two 'sores instead of one, | T)rng treatment may well be called > The Destructive Art of Healing," that V lis manf and pure? none, the cures that l id 'occ-rir under> drut v treatment being ? n ® ' forcibl y 'pat it. I \ consider, it a duty to my .rejtdere Jims W 'freely denounce the drug 'flvflteni, for Ujsjone of the abominations jtnatmuit be swept away beforea better system , Bfcause people are sick, that is no reason why they should be poisoned.