Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-03-19
WHAT Is ASTHMA?
A Description of the Many Agonizing Symp-
toms Which Accompany This Affection,
And How Modern Science Triumphs over
the so-Called Incurable Mslady-state-
ment of Mr.. Conrad Apel.

And How Modern Science Triumphs over
the so-Called IncurabIe Malady-state-
ment of Mr.. Conrad Apel.
What is asthma?
Briefly, asthma is an obstruction OF the
smaller air tubes, which causes shortness Of
breath and distressing symptoms of suffocar
tion.
paroIysm of asthma may commence
without warning; or it may be preceded by
prcmonitions. Patients are often able to
predict an attack for some hours before it's
occurrence, sometimes by sense of drowsi-
ness or heaviness, sometimes by unusual
excitation of the mind, and again by signifi-
cations which they have learned by expe-
rience. but which are not easily described.
The paroxysms may be developed slowly,
that is, in an hour or two, and sometimes
longer period may be required for its full
Developments; or the attack may be sudden
and the intensity quickly reached. 1t takes
place in the majority of cases during the
sleeping hours, and generally in the
after part of the night or early morning.
The paroxysm is characterized by Iabori-
GUS efforts of breathing, prompted by
painful sense Of want of air. The patient is
unable to lie down, but sits with elbows on
the knees or resting on some solid support,
with mouth open and 2asping with each in
spiration. The respirations are not in
when in health Inspiration is performed
with spasmodic effort. and expiration is
accompanied by Wheeling sound Speech
is difficult for want of breath, and changes
of position are made slowly. Cold air. from
its density. affords relief. and tine patient
desires windows and doors to be opened, re-
gardless of chillinesS to the body.
Perspiration is sometimes profuse. The
face presents cyanotic hue, giving a death
like appearance. The pulse is feeble in con-
sequence of obstructed pumonary circu!a-
ton: the surface of the body Is cool or cold;
the nostrils are dilated: the countenance de-
notes extreme anxiety or distress. 1t is
nearly always attended by harsh. dry and
irritating cough, frequent sneezing and
emacation. The heart is frequently af-
tected by sympathetic action anu gives rise
to complicated diseases. The eXpectoratbrn
is frequently small consisting of q few mu-
cous nodes or pellets, semttFansparent OF 4
gelatinous consistency. The sputa is often
streaked with blood and occasionally q true
hemorrhage takes place.
1t is frequently accompanied with other
complications which augment the distress
of the sufferer. Dyspepsia, loss of appetite,
blood and digestive juices OF the stomach are
often Accomplishments.
Asthma is rarely disease of itself. 1t
arises from numerous Causes-diseases of
the kidneys, stomach, heart, nerves, lungs,
blood and nose. If these several causes
were well understood and treated accord
ingly, there would be fewer irascible asth-
matics. Catarrh of the nose, moist dry,
atrophic, hypertrophic, is now regarded the
most frequent cause of asthma-refiected
asthma it is called. The cause, of course, in
dicates the treatment-cGre the catarrn. COR
rect the deformity in the nostrils. if there be
any, and the asthma will disappear.
The followin. case of reelected asthma,
cured by Drs. Copeland, Hall and Byers,
practically illustrates the efficacy of this
treatment: