Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-03-13
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 Malady-state-
ment of Mr.. Conrad APPEL.
What is asthmae
Briefly, asthma is an obstruction Of the
smaller air tubes, which causes shortness of
breath and distressing symptoms of suffoca-
ton.
paroxysm of asthma may commence
without warning; or It may be preceded by
premonitions. Patients are often able to
predict an attack for some hours before its
occurrence. sometimes by a sense of drowsi-
ness or heaviness, sometimes by unusual
excitation of the mind, and again by signin-
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 a
longer period may be required for its full
development: 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
latter part of the night or early morning.
The paroxysm is characterized by labori-
Gus efforts of breathing, prompted by
painful sense of want of air. The patient is
una BILE to lie down, but sits with elbows on
the knees or resting on some solid support,
with mouth open and gasping with each In
spiration. The respirarions are not in
creased, but may be less in number than
when in health. Inspiration is performed
with spasmodic effort, and expiration is
accompanied by q wheeling sound. Speech
is difficult for want of breath, and changes
of position are made slowly. Cold air. from
its density, affords relief, and the patient
desires windows and doors to be opened, re-
gardless of chilliness to the body.
Perspiration is sometimes profuse. The
face presents a cyanotic hue, giving a DEATH
like appearance. The pulse is feeble in con.
sequence of obstructed pulmonary circula-
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
emaciatfon. The heart is frequently af-
fected by sympathetic action and gives rise
to complicated diseases. The expectoration
is frequently small, consisting of a few mu-
cous nodes or pellets, semi transparent of q
gelatinous consistency. The sputa Is often |
streaked with blood and occasionally a true |
hemorrhage takes place.
1t Is frequently accompanied with other l
which augment the distress |
Of the sufferer. Dyspepsia, loss of appetite, |
great wasting and general depletion OF the |
blood and digestive juices of the stomach are |
often Accomplishments.
Asthma is rarely a disease of itself 1t /
arises from numerous oauses-diseases of |
the kidneys, stomach, heart, nerves. lungs, |
blood and nose. If these several causes /
we're well understood and treated accord /
ngly, there would be fewer irascible asth-
natics. Catarrh of the nose moist, dry,
,trophic, hypertrophic, is now regarded the |
most frequent cause of asthma-ref1ected |
iicates the treatment-cure the catarrh, cor
'ect the deformity in the nostrils. If there be
my, and the asthma will disappear.
The following case of reflected asthma, |
,ured by Drs. Copeland, Hall Sad Byers,
practically illustrates the efficacy of this