The Florida agriculturist., 1889-02-20
BRONCHITIS.

is essentially an Inflammation of the
bronchial tubes, but it rarely occurs
alone; the mucous membrane lining the
throat and upper part of the windpipe
are, as a rule, affected about the same
time.
In the majority of cases an attack of
bronchitis is preceded by a cold in the
head. The Inflammation, which starts
in the nose, travels downward, affecting
the throat more OF less, and very soon
enters the bronchial tubes. When those
are reached there are added to the symp-
toms of a cold sense of tightness and
of soreness or rawness in the chest.
Those unpleasant feelings are aggravated
by the cough, which is at first dry, hack
ing and quite constant. AS a rule, the
person who is suffering from an attack
of bronchitis is somewhat feverish, or,
at least, inclined to be chilly. He has
/. less appetite than usual, feels dull and
heavy and disinclined to exertion. Those
who have bronchitis generally complain
of dull, aching pain in the back and
limbs.
The cough, which is at first dry and
painful = as some say tearing gen
orally loosens up in from one to two
days, and then the patient ''raises' quite
freely. The coughed up matters are
generally of a yellowish or greenish
color and salty taste; then they become
quite yellow. AS soon as the patient
''raises" easily he is at once relieved; the
pain and soreness disappear, and he goes
rapidly on to recovery.
Acute bronchitis is usually caused by
taking cold. If one is suddenly chilled,
an attack is very likely to occur. By
too severe and sudden cooling of the
body the blood is driven from the sur
& face to the internal organs. The lining
membrane Of the bronchial tubes is very
easily congested in that way. Consider
ing all things it naturally follows that
bronchitis is more prevalent after sudden
changes in the weather and when the
same is moist and cold.
When an attack of this disease comes
on the sufferers who treat themselves, as
a rule, direct their efforts entirely to
stopping the cough, without giving
much thought to the trouble that ex-
cites it.
The remedies which they usually take,
while bringing, perhaps, some relief, yet
more often do more harm than good,
and really in the first stage of acute
bronchitis there is seldom great need of
what passes under the head of cough
medicines.
While there is soreness or rawness in
the chest, the patient should be confined
to his bed and kept on a light diet.
Mustard poultices should be applied,
morning and night, and left on until the
pain from them is intolerable After
they are removed, towel wrung out of
warm water should be applied, and over
that dry one laid, and then several
folds of flannel.
In the meantime, unless the cough is
incessant, there will scarcely be any
need to give medicine for it, and GER
tainly, if any are used they should be
wisely selected. Flaxseed tea is an ex-
cellent drink, having soothing effect in
such cases. 1t should be taken often and
in considerable quantities each day.
If the patient is not under tho care of
o physician, and will not consult any,
Notwithstanding his cough is very trou-
blesome, keeps him awake, ETC., he
might have put up at the druggists
mixture of the sweet spirit of niter, par
egoric and sirup of ipecac, of each one
half ounce. Of this mixture tho, dose
for an adult is one teaspoonful, and it
4~1- L