Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-05-12
RICHMOND WHIG.
DIR. HUNTER ON BRONCHITIS.

To the Editor Of the Whg:
The term Bronchitis has hitherto been commonly APP
Piled to diseases of the throat and medical writer's have
confirmed this popular The windppe, at its
trance into the lungs divides itself into two branches
and these the beginning of the Bronchial Tubes"
one Of which enters the right lung, the other the left
when each suhdvides itself into nnumerable smaller
tubes like the branches of tree ramying through the
whole internal substance of the lungs and ending in lii,
tie clusters cavities called "Ar Cells" When speak
of Bronchitis therefore, speak of disease Of the
lungs and not Of the throat, has been too commonly
supposed.
Bronchitis is a disease of the lining or mucous mem.
brane of the Bronchial tubes. This lining is very sensi
tive aud hence liable TO become rritated by sudden
changes Of weather. by impure air. by the fine particles
of matter which fill the atmosphere of workshops or
which float upon the wind in dirty cites-by the hun
dred irritating which meet in almost every
place This irritation deranges its healthy action changes
the character Of its secretons and sets up train of
symptoms to which we apply the name Of Bronchitis"
In Chronic Bronchitis there sometimes slight fever
towards evening. The patient does retain his wonted
strength or tesh but become little paler lie eXpcri-
ences ShcrtHess ot breath exercising, aud has a
slight but continued sense Of oppression in the chest
The cough ana eNpectoraon diminish, or entirely dis
appear during the summer but Immediately manifest
themselves sgsn the return Of winter when the
pectOraton becomes cOpiogs
II is Y common 70 meet this disease, in a mder
FORM in persons WHO speak gift as q "win.er cough
ring the summer but every succeeding recurrence
manests itself in greater ty and the recovery in
the following summer IS not complete. This form Of
Bronchitis nncglected, will surely destroy life and treat
cd in the usual manner it is incurabe consumption
itself. The mucous membrane sooner or later, becomes
altered in structure and pous forth matter which has
all the qualities OF pus. Hectic fever superyenes and the
disease tends slowly but surely, to fatal termination
Another form OF Bronchitis is peculiar TO middle life
aud old age. IL is distinguished by the quantity aud the
a he ms
TWO fits Of coughing in the day-oue on awakening from
sleep in the morning aud the other in the evening
There is considerable difficulty Of breathing while the
paroxisms of coughing last but it passes oil soon as
the lungs freed from the vi,cd secretion. The Ia
tent is feeble; he may, however, live and attend
light duties for several years But the councnance grad
ua assumes pale, blush tint, the body wastes the
blood becomes thin and death ensues apparently from
the constant drain kept up 10y the discharge from the
lungs Some patients die from exhaustion in five or six
moushs but have known Others survive for many
years
There is still another form Of this disease called "Dry
Bronchitis from the quantity of matter eNpcciorat d.
The essential character of Dry Bronchitis consists in
chronic Inflammation, attended by thickeniug Of the
membrane by which the air tubes diminished
in size, and also in the secretion of dense, elunous
kind of matter, Of blush white color, bywhch they
are still further obSructed The smaller bronchi tubes
are often entirely closed and occasionally tube Of very
considerable sze b sealed up with this matter
This affection is eOmmo III his climate that, in
degree il is probable two OF every three suffer
ON it. "u the most fivored parts Of France" SAYS
Taeanec, "iu.y cnehal OF those arrived at adult age
will be found careful nation, to present eyi-
dence OF thickening Of some portion OF the mucous
membrane of the lung"
The symptoms Of Dry Bronchitis are not marked by
severity. Ii Is the most insidous of pulmonary com
plants The subject Of it Is conscious only Of being
short tbreathed when ascending elevation or attempt
ing to When large portion Of the lung is invol
ed sense Of oppression IS experienced after meals aud
on very slight exerton. BY this oppression is re-
erred the opposite side Of the chest TO that in which
the disease is situated, to remote part Of the
side, or even to the region of the stomach. After
time difficulty Of breathing on, aud continues for
several days the patient mpainlg Of tgitncs in the
chest which il relieved by cough, and the expectoratoG
of a tough, Jelly like substance. Tie cough by which
this matter Is raised u mere Tdpy CTOrt 70 clear the
throat, aud may probably occur not moro than
twice daily, and almost uncOnscously to patients them
selves On inQuiring il they have cough, they will, al
most without exception answer mo" yet during your
conve,s e,satOn they will perhaps hack and raise little
el yike mucous half dozen times. At intervals the
cough is more severe and comes in paroIy-m when it
Is too commonly egjrded as simply neryoWs." II the
stomach be ull dcIa1ged il is fashionable regard
as "a mere stomach cot0h as being caused by iJer
disease" while, in fact the arrangements Of the stom
ach liver kidneys and of the uterine functions which
exist are but so many consequences Of this very cond
ton Of the lungs. There l. something gratifying in
being assured by the pt sican that there is o danger
of coNsonptoH" that "his cough is triAe, and
will speedily pass away if only left TO e" that it is
surprising the attered patient entirely overiooks the
important fact that careful examination of the lungs
has been made TO determine the health disease
of this organ; that this gratifying opinion, therefore i
founded nothing reliable and reduced TO its intrinsic
merits is simply tamperng with human life.
Most coughs Of long standing" unattended by free
expectoalion caused either by this condition of the
bronchial tubes incipent tuberces in the lungs
The neglected cold which so often proves the herald
of Consumption is but another variety Of this disease
The frequency of this form OF Bronchitis its SLOW in
sidous aud treacherous progress and the disastrous
consequences which it often leads should awaken
from their ehsrgy all who nursing dry coughs of long
standing in the vain hope of growing out of them How
ever slight and apparently unmporant such coughs may
seem, they lead on by graduation to premature
grave. Your obedient servant,
ROB'T HUNTER.
PoWbatan House Richmond Nav g. 1860