Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 April 1893 — BODY AND ITS THEALTH. [ARTICLE]

BODY AND ITS THEALTH.

Causes of Consumption. —A medical authority states that consumption is dependent upon three factors: First, decreased vitality, antagonizing powers, or what you will. ’This is well known, as well as in what manner it is induced or transmitted. Second, an active inflammatory condition. This may be pneumoni: , bronchitis, laryngitis or the like. Third the presence of the bacillus tuberculosis. Without these three there can be no consumption. It is the usual thing in the examination in the deadhouse to find evidences in the lungs that the subject had at some time a commencing consumption, but the vitality had been so great that nature had encapsulated the infected part with tissue of high vitality and the condition became innocuous. The fatality from tuberculosis, then, is dependent on a decreased vitality, and we must look to a proper kind of diet and a consequent increase in the general antagonizing power of the body for the remedy.

Contagiousness of. Phthisis.— The discussion which has been going on for some time past as to the contagious character of phthisis has been emphasized on the negative side by the fact that at the famous Brompton Hospital the records of thirty-six years show not a single authenticated case originating within its walls among some two hundred and eighty physicians, residents and nurses. Equally remarkable are the statistics of the Friedrichshain Hospital in Berlin, which show that out of nine hundred and eighty-nine physicians and nurses only ten became tubercular, of whom three showed evidence of the disease before entering the hospital. Again, Dr. Brehmer states that at Gorbersdorf, where his institution is situated, during the last twenty years more than ten thousand phthisical patients resided in the hospital, who walked the streets of the town and commingled with its inhabitants, and who therefore apparently crowded the air with tubercle bacilli, yet the mortality is 50 per cent, les among the Gorbersdorf population than it was before the establishment of the hospital. Dr. Schnvder, of Switzerland, also gives record of eight hundred and forty-four cases of phthisis among married people, in four hundred and forty-five of which the husband only was phthisical, and in three hundred and sixty-seven the wife only, while in thirty-two both husband and wife were affected, showing that in eight hundred and twelve instances there was not the least proof of contagion. Electricity in Medicine.—A very interesting and instructive lecture was delivered recently by George G. Hopkins, 31. D., in Brooklyn, on the subject of “Electricity iu Medicine.” During the lecture the doctor exhibited and explained the various electrical machines and appliances used in medical practice. In treating the subject Dr. Hopkins spoke of the numerous uses to which electricity is to-day put, and cited three different kinds of currents which are known and used for scientific and practical'purposes to-day. The doctor intimated that at the present day the real advancement in electrical knowledge was in the application and improved and superior machines for use and application, and especially was this true in the medical use of electricity. There has been a new era in medical electricity within the past twenty years owing to this fact. He cited a case which had occurred in his practice during the past twenty years of a.girl of 16 years who was helpless, unable to walk or to speak words of more than one syllable, but was naturally of a bright disposition and good family, who was taken to St. John’s Hospital and treated by electricity, and who finally received the use of her limbs and the physical portion of her body, but was still unable to utilize her brain powers. A 29-cell bicromate battery was used each day for six months, the current being applied through the limbs, and a cure effected. The lady is alive to-day, and, although not iu vigorous health, enjoys much that would have been impossible for her without the use of the elecric fluid. Electricity is used for many contrary conditions, so ns to produce a contraction, or again a relaxation of the muscular tissues. The galvanic current is used as a tonic, and Dr. Hopkins assured his hearers there was none better known, especially for hysterics, goitre, swellings and tumors; also for cramps, nervous diseases and neuralgia. Many very interesting instruments were shown, among others a cataleptic instrument, in which the medicine was held in blotting paper, and by means of the electric current driven through the skin. There were various needles used for cauterizing and disintegrating purposes. The subject of resistence was touched upon and electrocution mentioned. Dr. Hopkins was most emphatic iu declaring his repug- • nance to this form of Capital punishment, preferring hanging and shooting as being, to his mind, more humane, as, although the actual execution of the application of strong alternating electric currents, of 1,500 or 1,200 volts was certain to produce instant death, the mental suffering was much more intense and awful than in any other form of death. Dr. Hutchinson differed with Dr. Hopkins as regards the methods of capital punishment, and believed electrocution to be absolutely the most humane, neat and scientific manner of inflicting the death penalty. Many interesting stories and scientific facts of research and observation were related, and questions were solicited on any point not perfectly understood. Among the instruments exhibited was one for throwing light into the stomach by means of a small electric light within a silver tube, through which any surgical instument might be inserted, and the difficulty removed, was most interesting; also a powerful incandescent light which threw light through the hands and limbs, and was said to be powerful enough to throw light through the neck, sufficient to light up the interior portion of the larynx and throat, making examinations of those organs comparatively easy.