The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1891-05-28
FATAL PNEUMONIA.
Peculiarities of a Prevalent and
Dangerous Disease.


The sudden changes of temperature
and the carelessness of people generally
who are apt to expose themselves I'M
necessarily to wet and cold are fruitful
inducements to this disease. the statis-
ties of which show fatality of about
thirty in one hundred eases. The NAL
ady, says the Chicago Tribune. was
formerly known as lung fever. 1t is
an inflammation or congestion of the
lungs, and there are four distinct classes
the lobar, lobular, fibrous and Gaseous
or tubcrcular pneumonia. The two
classes last mentioned not infrequently
terminate in phthisis or consumption.
The first stage is known as that of ''cn-
gorgements," the second as red hep
ati2ation, when the lungs become the
color of the liver. When this browniSh
color gives way to gray the malady has
reached the third stage, that of gray
hcpatization. This is the stage of
''absorption' in favorable cases, when
convalescence cnsucs. In unfavorabc
eases the disease passes into the puru-
lent stage, when death is likely to en-
sue within very few days, sometimes
in a few hours.
The first symptom is usually pro-
nounced chill, followed by u sharp pain
within circumscribcd space at or near
the nipple on the affected side. A rack
ing cough and cNpcctorntion 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.
prostration, increased respiration and
pulse varying from so 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 are
favorable, will cough less; respiration
will resume its normal condition, appe-
tite will return and pain will almost, if
not entirely, disappear. One of the pc
culiarities of pneumonia is that this
third stage in the incorporate may lead
to delirium tremens. Once GONZALES
ccnce begins in eases of pneumonia,
however, recovery is almost certain.
'atal relapses are very infrequent.
'cricarditis, or inflammation of the
membranous sack which incloses the
heart, is very grave complication in
neumonia.
The old method of treatment was
bloodletting, and some physicians re-
seort to that now when the patient is
plethoric. Some believe that the at
tack can be rendered harmless by dose
of from forty to sixty grains of quinine.
The course of treatment commonly
employed is to give quininc, antipyrine,
aconite, and antifebrines in the first
stage, with eXpectorants and tlaXsecd
poultices as hot as they can be borne
applied every twenty minutes, In the
secorid 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, and this treat
mcnt is continued with the third stage
and up to convalescence 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 oxygenated, and is due to heart
failure. Some physicians have lately
used oxygen gas to aid the oxygenating
function of the lungs and in Germany
patients have been carried into the open
air. In one of the German hospitals n
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 eases have been success
fully treated in tents. The tents are
well heated in winter, though, by large
stoves, so that the patients, while
breathing air almost absolutely pure,
are not exposed to the cold. Freer at
mosphcrc circulation is common oh.
jective point with American physicians
in the treatment of pneumonia, al.
though they do not go SO far in this mat
ter as 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 N
attack of this serious disease.
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