PROXIMATE CAUSE OF PHTHISIS. 799 



a pin's head to that of a pea, or even of a small 

 walnut, after which they dissolve into a semi 

 fluid pus, that is discharged from the lungs by 

 coughing. 



Such are the leading symptoms of phthisis, 

 which, in almost every case, may be traced to in- 

 flammation of the lungs and bronchi, or to the 

 influence of repeated colds that have been ne- 

 glected, and which in nineteen cases out of twenty 

 might have been avoided. But if suffered to run 

 on till ulceration of the lungs is fully established, 

 all rational hopes of a permanent cure must be 

 given up. The only successful method of treating 

 this fatal malady is, to prevent its actual forma- 

 tion, by avoiding all the predisposing and exciting 

 causes, or to arrest its progress at an early stage, 

 by placing the patient in a genial atmosphere, 

 and supplying whatever is calculated to restore 

 the languid circulation of the lungs. For it will 

 be proved hereafter, that all congestions, inflam- 

 mations, and effusions, depend on debility in the 

 capillaries of the part affected. And if there be 

 anything in nature that deserves the name of 

 panacea or universal remedy, it must be that agent 

 or principle, which maintains all the organs of the 

 animal economy in a healthy state, renews the 

 composition of lost parts, and that of the whole 

 body when wasted by illness, from whatever 

 cause. This doctrine was in part recognized by 

 Hippocrates, Erasistratus, Herodicus, Asclepia- 



