DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.14563#0312
CHAPTER XXXIV.
clbiate of the nile — a chapter for invalids.
The great benefit which, through the blessing of God, I
have myself experienced from the effect of travel in more
genial climates upon a pulmonic or a bronchial affection, in-
duces me to record some notes of climate, taken upon the
way, for the use of other invalids. A change of climate
should be very early tried in pulmonary complaints, and
should be persisted in long enough to influence the entire
constitution. 'When resorted to by the consumptive as a last
expedient, a change of climate is of little avail. It is com-
monly to leave the comforts and the sympathies of home, to
die among strangers. But better counsels are beginning to
prevail; and possibly these few suggestions may not be
without their value, to some who are struggling with insidi-
ous disease.
If I may venture an unprofessional opinion — the result
of some observation and experience in pulmonary diseases—1
it is, that so far as the mere hreathing is concerned, it
matters little what is the quality of the atmosphere (if it is
not vitiated) whether moist or dry, cold or hot. The effect
of atmospheric changes upon the skin and upon the general
tone of the system, is even more to be dreaded than their
direct action upon the throat or lungs. In such diseases,
the all-important thing is to keep up the tone of the system,
and especially to do this, if possible^ without the use of
medicines or of high stimulants. The air being the vital-
clbiate of the nile — a chapter for invalids.
The great benefit which, through the blessing of God, I
have myself experienced from the effect of travel in more
genial climates upon a pulmonic or a bronchial affection, in-
duces me to record some notes of climate, taken upon the
way, for the use of other invalids. A change of climate
should be very early tried in pulmonary complaints, and
should be persisted in long enough to influence the entire
constitution. 'When resorted to by the consumptive as a last
expedient, a change of climate is of little avail. It is com-
monly to leave the comforts and the sympathies of home, to
die among strangers. But better counsels are beginning to
prevail; and possibly these few suggestions may not be
without their value, to some who are struggling with insidi-
ous disease.
If I may venture an unprofessional opinion — the result
of some observation and experience in pulmonary diseases—1
it is, that so far as the mere hreathing is concerned, it
matters little what is the quality of the atmosphere (if it is
not vitiated) whether moist or dry, cold or hot. The effect
of atmospheric changes upon the skin and upon the general
tone of the system, is even more to be dreaded than their
direct action upon the throat or lungs. In such diseases,
the all-important thing is to keep up the tone of the system,
and especially to do this, if possible^ without the use of
medicines or of high stimulants. The air being the vital-