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372 ESOTERIC ANTHROPOLOGY.
toration, the cavity gradually contracting and cicatrizing,
as in any other organ. On the other hand, where the
system is weak and full of impurities, the abscess may
be kept open, and the strength fail from continued irri
tation and exhausting action. In this case there will be
hectic, emaciation, diarrhoea, dropsy, and death.
Tubercular consumption begins by the deposition of
minute, or, as are they called, milliary tubercles in the
lungs, usually in the upper portion, just under the col
lar bone. These are sometimes found in a new born
infant. They spread, increase in size, soften, suppurate,
form ulcers, and their matter is thrown off. Some
times many join together to form a large ulcer.
The first effect of tubercle is to render a portion of
the lungs useless for the purposes of respiration. This
quickens the pulse and shortens the breath, there is
consequent weakness and feverishness. The little, dry,
hacking cough, which marks the first stages of this
disease, seems to come from the irritation of foreign
matter, the invasion of a portion of the lungs, and an
instinctive effort to expel it. Every stage of the pro
gress of consumption is an effort to cure, and this effort
is sometimes effectual. In many cases where con
sumption has not been suspected, there are found in the
lungs after death, unmistakable signs of former tuber
cles, which have softened, been expelled, and healed.
But in the majority of cases, there is too much disease,
and too little power.
The signs of tubercular consumption are a delicate,
scrofulous appearance ; narrow chest ; dry, hacking
cough ; pain in the chest ; languor ; debility ; emacia
tion ; quick pulse ; hurried respiration ; dry, hot hand,