The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-01-31
FATAL PNEUMONIA.
Peouliarities Of q Prevalent and
Dangerous Disease.
Its Different Symptoms and Stages and
tho Various Methods of Treatment
In ESQ Among Physicians OF
Different Schools.

IN $50 Among PhysicianS OF
Different Schools.
The sudden changes of temperature
land the carclessncss of people generally
twho arc apt to expose themselves I'M
necessarily to wet and cold are fruitful
inducements to this disease, the statis-
tics Of which show fatality of about
thirty in ono hundred cases. The NAL
,ady, says the Chicago Tribune, was
formerly known rs lung fever. 1t is
ian inflammation or congestion of tho
lungs, and there are four distinct classes
tho lobar. lobular, fibrous and Gaseous
or tubercular pneumonia. The two
classes last mentioned not infrcqucntly
terminate in phthisis or consumption.
The first stage is known as that of ZEN
gorgcmcnts," the second us ''rcd hep
atizntion," when tho lungs become tho
color Of the liver. When this brownish
color gives way to gray the malady has
reached tho third stage, that of gray
Repatriation" This is tho stage of
absorption" in favorable cases, when
,convalcscencc cnsues. In unfavorable
cases the disease passes into the puru-
lent stage, when death is likely to en-
sue within very few days. sometimes
IN few hours
The first symptom Is usually pro-
nounced chill, followed by a sharp pain
within n circunscribcd space at or near
the nipple on the affected side. A rack
ing cough and eXpcctoration soon fol-
low. This is the stage in which the
oval bacteria is found in the sputum
Then follows high fever, pain in the
head. loss of appetite, severe thirst,
prostratton, increased respiration and
pulse varying from 50 to 100.
In the second stage pain may cease,
but the cough may continue, though
less hard and painful. In the third
stage the patient, if the symptoms arc
favorable, will cough less; respiration
will resume its normal condition, appe-
titc will return and pain will almost, if
not entirely, disappear. Ono of the pc
culiaritics of pneumonia is that this
third stage in the incorporate may lead
to dclirium trcmcnS. Once GONZALES
cencc begins in cases of pneumonia,
however, recovery is almost certain.
Fatal relnpscs are very infrcqucnt-
Pcricarditis, or Inflammation of the
membranous sack which incloscs the
heart, is n very grave complication in
ncumonia.
The old method of treatment was
bloodletting, and some physicians re-
seort to that now when the patient is
plcthorio. Some believe that the at
tack can be rendered harmless by dose
OF from forty to sixty grains of quininc.
The course of treatment commonly
employed is to give quininc, antipyrino,
nconite, and antifcbrincs In the first
STAGE with 70 onJ No-coaJ
poulticcs as hot as they can be borne
applied every twenty minutes. In the
second stage the object is to support
the action OF the heart, and milk punch
or some other stimulant is given. Dig
tails is also prescribed, md this treat
Incnt is continued with the third stage
and up to convalcscence of the fatal is
sue. Death comes when the lungs be-
come consolidated SO that the blood can
not pass through them and can not be
come oXygcnatcd, and is due to heart
failure. Some physicians havo lately
used oxygen gas to aid the oxygenntinE
function Of the lungs and in Germany
patients have been carried into the open
air. In one of the German hospitals q
ward is being prepared specially for the
treatment OF patients suffering from
pneumonia, the preparation including
the construction of machinery for
pumping cold air over the heads of the
patients. At some OF the hospitals In
this country cases have been success
fully treated in tents. The tents are
well heated in winter, though. by large
stoves, SO that the patients, while
breathing mir almost absolutely pure.
are not exposed to the cold. Freer at
mosphcric circulation is common OBJ
jcctivc point with American physicians
In the treatment of pneumonia, al
though they do not go SO far in this mat
ter al the Germans. A careful atten-
ton to ones health, the wearing Of
warm clothing, keeping the feet from
getting wet, and the avoidance OF drafts
will enable one to generally escape IN
attack of this serious disease.