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NERVOUS CONSUMPTION, «fee.

It would serve little purpose here to recapitulate the many arti-cles recommended by various practitioners in the treatment of pul-monary consumptions, such as fixed airs, Prussic acid, conivim,foxglove, uva, ursi, «fee. It does not follow that any of them haveany decided influence over the disease, and are more embarrassingto the practitioner than beneficial to the patient. If confirmedphthisis were to be cured, it must be effected principally, if notsolely, by dietetic means and change of climate.

A nervous consumption, or atrophy, is a wasting or decay ofthe whole body, without any considerable degree of fever, cough,or difficulty of breathing. It is attended with indigestion, weak-ness, want of appetite, «fee.

Those who are of a fretful temper, who indulge in spirituousliquors, or who breathe an unwholesome air, are most liable tothis disease.

We would chiefly recommend, for the cure of a nervous con-sumption, a light and nourishing diet, plenty of exercise in a freeopen air, and the use of such bitters as brace and strengthen thestomach ; as the Peruvian bark, gentian-root, camomile, hore-hound, »fee. These may be infused in water or wine, and a glassof it drank frequently.

It will greatly assist the digestion, and promote the cure of thisdisease, to take, twice a-day, twenty or thirty drops of the elixirof vitriol in a glass of wine or water.* The chalybeate wine islikewise an excellent medicine in this case ; it strengthens thesolids, and powerfully assists Nature in the preparation of goodblood.

Agreeable amusements, cheerful company, and riding about,are, however, preferable to all medicines in this disease. Forwhich reason, when the patient can afford it, we would recom-mend a long journey of pleasure, as the most likely means to re-store his health.

What is called a symptomatic consumption, cannot be cured with-out first removing the disease by which it is occasioned. Thuswhen a consumption proceeds from the scrophula, or king's evil,from the scurvy, the asthma, the venereal disease, «fee. a due atten-tion must be paid to the malady from whence it arises, and theregimen and medicine directed accordingly.

When excessive evacuations of any kind occasion a Consumption,they must not only be restrained, but the patient's strength musthe restored by gentle exercise, nourishing diet, and generous cor-dials. Young and delicate mothers often fall into consumptions,by giving suck too long. As soon as they perceive their strengthand appetite begin to fail, they ought immediately to wean thechild, or provide another nurse, otherwise they cannot expect aoure.

Before we quit this subject, we would earnestly recommend itto all, as they wish to avoid consumptions, to take as much exer-«ise without doors as they can, to avoid unwholesome air, and tostudy sobriety. Consumptions owe their present increase not a

# See Appendix, Chalybeate Wine.