74 



2d. Presence of glucose in" the blood ; 3d. Elimination of glucose 

 by the kidneys; 4th. Replacing the glucose eliminated by the Blow 

 destruction of the fundamental principles of the blood, the muscles, 

 and the other organs. 



50. Dr. McDowall* discusses the subject of tubercular consump- 

 tion. He asks: — 1st. What is the source of tubercles, and what 

 condition of the solids or fluids of the body is pre-requisite to their 

 origin and growth ? 2d. Are tuberculous deposits removable ? If 

 so, by what process ? 3d. What therapeutical resources have we 

 for promoting the removal of tubercles? 



1st. "The source of tubercle," he answers to the first question, 

 "is scarcely questionable." It is the albumen of the blood. The 

 condition prerequisite is increase of albumen. " The origin and 

 growth of tubercles are the result either of effusion or of secretion 

 of albumen into the solid tissues." " Consumption, like dropsy, is 

 of serous origin ; consumption being the result of a degeneration and 

 effusion, or morbid secretion, of one constituent of the serum ; dropsy 

 of the other; the one the result of an albuminous, the other of an 

 aqueous effusion." 



2c?. Are tuberculous deposits removable ? This is dependent on 

 the question, can albumen be absorbed? To this he answers, that 

 " we have the best possible evidence that albumen can be, and is 

 being, absorbed during every moment of man's existence." 



3tZ. What are the therapeutical resources for promoting the re- 

 moval of tubercles? Our most reliable resource for effecting the 

 removal of tubercle must, therefore, mainly consist of such articles 

 as best promote the transformation of albumen into red globules. 

 Iron, alcohol, naphtha of wood, iodine, animal food, common salt, (the 

 most efficient of all, as it increases the globules, as seen in the scurvy,) 

 and all such treatment as is apt to bring the system into a condition 

 such as it is in the scurvy. 



51. The researches of Rogec and Boudet, in Paris, and J. Hughes 

 Bennett,')" in Edinburgh, prove that the lungs may cicatrize, and the 

 patient recover, even after the formation of large ulcers in the 

 lungs. 



52. — Dr. Willshiref thus describes the relation between scrofula 



* New York Journal of Medicine, Jan., 1848. t Monthly Journal, Oct., 1847. 



X Medical Times, April 10, 1S47. 



