CHAPTER VIII
TREATMENT OF CONTAGIOUS PHTHISIS

Let us now discuss phthisis, not in so far as it is the result of
catarrh or of other causes, but in so far as it has been contract—
ed by contagion and depends on that contagion per se. It is
very important to know in which of these two ways it has
arisen. For the phthisis that is due to contagion per se can be
contraected by a person who was not previously suffering from.
any disease, and is in perfect health. Hence, when catarrh
or other symptoms supervene in such a patient, they are, as it
were, accidents of the disease, and per se do not demand treat—
ment as primary causes. Vou may administer the usual reme—
dies, heat the head, dry out by means of sinapisms, and make
the sputum come easily, but you will make all these efforts in
vain, if you do not endeavor to destroy. the contagion as con—
tagion. Therefore in dealing with that form of phthisis which
has been contracted from association with a phthisical person,
or by some kind of fomes, you must first of all consider care—
fully the points which I said must be observed in general in
all contagious diseases, namely the germs, the substance which
tends to be corrupted, and the substance that has already
been corrupted.

When you begin your treatment in the initial stage, pay atten—
tion to the germs only, for if these could be destroyed by caus—
tic means no more effective remedy could be employed. But
when caustic remedies cannot be used without too great risk,
you may try treatment by other means closely akin to caustics.
I observe that some of the ancient writers ventured to dothis,
and prescribed vapor of sandarae, to be inhaled into thelungs
by the breath. But when I say sandarae, I do not mean the
kind that is commonly called 'varnish'/''? but that which we
eall orpiment. Moreover, by orpiment I do not wish you to
understand the kind which is citron colored (yellow), but the
red sort which is correctly called sandarac. If you use inhala—

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