Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-04-13

DIFFERENT FORMS OF BRoNCRTTIs-sYMP-
TONS AND TREATMENT, ECT.
The trachea begins where the larynx
terminates, and extends TO its bifurcation,
where the chest tubes are formed. 1t is
subject to the same morbid conditions
that the larynx and bronchial tubes are,
but diseases attacking it are less fatal. As
the trachea may be considered the main
stem of the bronchial structure, for the
object of persplcacity, | will include 1t
under the general head of bronchitis.
The bronchial tubes below the division
of the trachea are entirely within the
lungs; hence an inflammation of the
membrane lining them is, per Sc, dis
ease of the lungs and not of the throat,
as is generally supposed. This MEM
brane is liable to disease from variety
of causes, among which are sudden
changes of temperature, impure air
breathing the fumes of acids, or inhaling
grian dust. When it becomes inflamed
the character of its secretions is changed,
and train of morbid symptoms, both
local and constitutional, sets in. If the
inflammation is acute, the cough is hard
and hoarse. attended with drvness of the
throat and nasal passages, with alterna-
tions of chills and fever. As it progresses,
respiration becomes difficult, the lips
purple, the face grows anxious and livid.
delirum comes on, and the patient re-
lapses into the stupor of death, sometimes
within forty-eight hours after the attack
begins.
Generally, however, acute bronchitis
subsidies at the end of a week or ten days
into chronic bronchitis, leaving only
cough and expectoration after the fever
has disappeared. Its decadence is marked
by the expectoration of thin, saltish
water, scantv at first. but which gradu-
ally grows copious, thick, and yellow.
Chronic bronchitis, by the inexperienc-
ed. is often mistaken for consumption;
for the mucous membrane, sooner or la
ter becomes altered in structure, and
pours forth a matter which has all the
qualities of pus, when the usual hectic
fever supervenes, and the disease runs as
certainly to a fatal termination. OF
chronic bronchitis there are several
varieties, one of which we meet as a
winter cough, making its appearance
regularly as the Winter seasons ap-
proaches, and partially subsiding on the
return of Spring. This form of bron-
chitis is incurable by any other means
than Medicated Inhalation; and if neg
lected, will certainly terminate in con-
sumption.
In treating this disease have seen the
most beneficial effect from the use of in
| halations of mash mallow, conium and
ipecacuanha. They afford in a short
space of time the greatest relief. By in
haling these simple remedies, the diff
Guilty of breathing and oppression OF the
chest have been rapidly removed, the
heated and parched condition of the skin
become moist, the cough quiet, and the
expectoration easy. Who that has wit.
messed the soothing effects of warm
lamentations applied to the external sur
face of the body can doubt the value and
superior efficacy of soothing vapors, when
inhaled along the inf1amed membrane of
the bronchie?
Another form of bronchitis is distin-
guished by an excessive humoral dis
charge from the lungs, ranging from one
to several pints DUNG the twenty-four
hours. Usually there are two fits of
coughing in the day-rnorning and even
ing. There is short breath until the
viscid secretion in the tubes has been re-
moved. This disease enfeebles the pa
tient very much; but he may live for
years and be able to attend to light du-
ties. The countenace grows pale, the
body wastes, the blood becomes thin, and
death ensues apparently from the ex-
haustive drain upon the system.
There is still another form of this dis
ease, called dry bronchitis, produced by
thickening of the mucous membrane
of the air-tubes, by which they are much
diminished in size. There is scanty
secretion of light gluey matter sometimes
striated with blood. This affection is so
common in this climate that a careful
examination of the chest would doubt.
less reveal its existence in many who are
nursing the fatal delusion of entire ex.
emption.
The symptoms by which dry bronchitis
are known are not marked by much sever
ity till it has advanced to its later stages,
when little exertion will produce short
breath, caused by the lessened capacity
of the tubes. This is felt after meals,
and is frequently referred to tull..stom-
ach, or some other than the true cause.
After time, however, there is constant
| tightness in the chest, with a rasping
cough which enables the patient to ex-
pectorate a tough jelly-like substance.
| IL yOu DON SuCll "uCbucE uucy nave Il
cough, they will answer no." and yet
almost in the same breath will hack and
raise the very substance have described.
If digestion is deranged, it is fashionable
to ascribe this cough to the stomach, or
to liver complaint-when these are but
signals of inroads made upon the system
by this very condition of the lungs. But
there is something SO gratifying in being
assured that there is no danger of con-
sumption, that the physician Yields to the
persuasive look, and says all is right
when all is not right. Human life
is tampered with by such assurances till
the fearful details of death are seen in
the hectic flush, the wasting frame, and
the enfeeble step. We see men and wo-
men daily who are destined to fill prema-
ture graves from disease of the lungs
who never suspect its presence, or if they
do, seem not to care to know it. When
any symptom of disease is present the
lungs should be carefully examined by a
competent physician, and inhaling reme-
dies at once be prescribed. Delays are
dangerous.
Very respectfully,
N. B. WOLFE, M. D.
146 Smith St., Cincinnati, o.
In referring to DR.. Wolfe, and his
mode of treatment, the Evening Record,
of Adrian, Mich, says: He is physician
of large learning and of twenty-five wears