Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-01-25
ATMOSPHERIC TREATMENT
OF LUNG DISEASES.
By HI. Faik, Nj. d., Nashville.
TRANSLATED from the German by Prof. Won
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j Strantz.l -tftH+-a 't.ta--ts
| The employment of proper atmos.
phere is essentially necessary in the treat
ment of the diseased respiratory organs,
especially with individuals of tuber-
cular diathesis; and by q proper atmo-
sphere is meant to be understood, one
least subject to changes in its tempera-
ture, and containing q less quantity of
oxygen and greater quantity of hydro
gen. Even prior to the present age, ply
sieians had attained to the conviction,
that, in the treatment of diseases of this
character, it was essential that the patient
should be required to inhale the purest
and healthiest atmosphere, as the disease
| itself was but the result of the inhala-
ton of impure air. 1t was first perceived
that this character of disease was con-
tracted by the inhalation of damp, cold,
moist air into the lungs, and then the idea
was suggested, whether or not the most
potent counteracting remedy would not
likely be the inhalation of dry, pure and
warmer one. Physicians have ever ulti-
mately been compelled to resort to this
mode of treatment, which properly may
be termed atmospherical; and no doubt
exists, that although decided success as
yet has no where been attained, still it is
conceded to be of the greatest importance
in checking the further progress of the
disease, and in enabling the necessary
medicines to have their proper effect. In
the history of medicine we find that
a great variety of experiments
have been attempted, but always
with little or no success; thus,
constantly inducing and rendering neces-
sary other experiments. Most physicians,
as well those of the past as of the pres
ent day, expected to find in the applica-
ton of warmth, a principle of great san
| tive power in the treatment of pulmo-
nary diseases, and hence often recon-
mended to the patient trip to Italy.
Cases are related where cures were eff
fected by combining the patient in suff1-
GENTLY and properly warmed room, where
the air was entirely pure. Such air exer-
cises a very beneficial influence, mas
much that it possesses an equable tenn
perature, which protects the already af-
fected pulmonary organs from infamma-
ton, and at the same time banishes the
irritating effects of colder atmosphere,
but is not yet sufficient to operate as
perfect remedy. By confounding the
nature and symptoms of actual pulmo-
nary consumption with seeming similar
forms of disease, an erroneous idea has
originated in regard to the efficacy of
mountain air. He who would ascertain
the true condition of one suffering with
tubercular consumption, will on the con-
trary learn that on an average, the patient
does not feel as well in pure, dry,
mountain atmosphere, not so well on
high mountain land as in the valley, nor
as well in dry, as in warm, moist air. A
residence IN high, mountain atmosphere
may be considered beneficial, where no
tubercular symptoms exist, but only a re-
Taxation of the mucous membrane, which
causes consumptive-like conditions to ap-
pear. Furthermore, experiments were
made before it was ascertained how to
produce the various gases, to cure pull
mOnary diseases by combining the patient
in COW asi1es, the most suitable time
to effectuatJla cure in this manner, being
either in the autumn or winter.
II was also highly recommended that
the patient should follow the pillow, par
ticularly in the spring when the ground
was being re-opened, so that he might
inhale the fresh ascending vapor. Final
ly, to spend much of ones time in
slaughter hou es was thought very bene-
fetal. 4 still richer field for experiment
was afforded physicians by the discovery
of the various gases of our atmospheric
air. Here we find experiments attempted
by the use of oxygen, hydrogen, carbonic
acid, and hydrogen in combination with
nitrogen. 1t could not at first be under
stood how oxygen, the principal element
of life in our organization, by which the
little spark is famed as it were into a
bright flame, could contain the antidotal
properties to consumption; for experience
soon taught that when an atmosphere
was inhaled, containing an excess of
oxygen uncombined with nitrogen in the
same proportion as it exists in our atmos-
phere, it was not only not beneficial, but
exceedingly injurious to diseased lungs.
Experiments by Girtanner and others
with nitrogen and oxygen separate and
in connection with csrbOnic acid, met
likewise with unfavOrable results.
The same results followed from expert
ments with nitrate of silver, vinegar, and
various vapOrs. Discouraged by these
unsuccessful experiments, physicians
have, for long time, paid little or no
attention to this branch of medical inves-
| tigstion; but 1t is proven beyond doubt
| that when the atmosphere is composed
mostly of nitrogen and oxygen, it is then
| of greater efficacy to cOnsumptive pa
/ tients, thus sustaining and verifying the
! supposition that the air of slaughter
houses was eff1cacious. But no
| atmosphere secures the desired
result to that degree that .-sea-air does;
j which has a double value inssmuch as it
is poor in oxygen and proportionally rich
! in hydrogen; also, constantly moist, con-
tanning moreover q quantity of salt sub
stances which produce the purest air.
The sea-sir has proved itself at all times
beneficial in the cure of diseases of the
respiratory organs, and especially so in
cases of consumption. Sea air contains
substances, proven from the results of
chemical examination, of fine salt parts:
chlorine, iodine and bromine elements,
Independent of the manifold discharges
of animal bodies, plants, as well as other
matters thrown into the sea. Again, not
only does the sea air exercise very ben
eficial influence in richness of this char
acter, but it has also been demonstrated
by experiments with other atmospheres,
largely impregnated with salt such as
exists in (Salines) salt-pits. An examina-
ton into the effects of this isolated, va
performed, constituent parts of salt,
will enable us to form positive judg-
ment as to the effect of sea- air In the
best works of Therapeutics, we find va.
pors of chlorine and iodine highly re-
commended, especially the use of liquor
chlori, which is produced by the interfu-
sion of chlorine and water vaporl, as be-
ing very excellent in scrofulous diseases
of the glands, and In all other diseases
naturally resulting from them.
DR.. Sch9nbein says, In some forms OF
lung tubercles, the inhalation of chlorine
gas is very advantageous, in others that
of iodine vapors. The use of iodine is
even more frequent and extensive in
practice than that of chlorine, in cases OF
tubercular, tracheal consumption, intern.
ally applied as well as in vapor form.
1t is necessary to remark here,
| that the iodine appears most