The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-12-16
CHRONIC BRONCHITIS.
From DIR. Hunters ectures on the Progress
of Medical Scies}ce in Lung Diseases.

| Chronic Inflammation of the mucous
membrane lining the air tubes and cells OF
the lungs is very common and very
serious disease. ,detgenerally results from
| by breathing dust In workshops and irri-
| tating gaSSeS andlIaporS in factories.
Particles OF dust being inhaled irritate
| the mucous lining OF the lungs and make
them sore, Just as, dust and small particles
getting into the, eyes make them red,
| angry, and sore.
Bronchitis is always a lung disease, be
| cause the bronchial tubes are the chief
part of the lungs and ducts through which
we breathe. TO say that person has
bronchitis and yet that his lungs are
sound, is absurd and untrue, since these
tubes are the seat of every known lung
disease. All that can truthful1y be said is
that bronchitis is not consumption, al
though it is very liable to end in that dis
ease.
The most constant symptoms of chronic
bronchitis are cough, shortness of breath,
and mucous expectoration. Its slight
serious character Is shown by the kind OF
matter raised and the presence or absence
OF loss Of flesh hectic ferer and night
SweGts. These latter symptoms, when
present, show the deep hold it has ON the
lung and how greatly it has already weak
ened and undermined the general health.
A great many bronchial cases are met
with a cold in the fall, which lasts all
winter. They cough and expectorate
quantities Of gray. and jeIly-like mucuS,
but on the approach of warm weather the
cough grows better, and the expectoration
almost ceases, only TO return with increased
severity on the advent of cold again
Unless arrested this form Of senile bron-
cbitis cuts short the thread of life. Most
old people die Of it years before there is
any necessity for dying, for want OF proper
treatment. =
In many cases chronic bronchitis is as
dangerous as consumption itself, and even
more so than some forms OF that disease.
So long as no organic change has taken
place in the air tubes and air cells, brOn
chltlS is always perfectly durable by local
treatment OF the diseased tubes. But /
cannot conceive Of the possibility OF any
form Of bronchial disease being cured by
medication or the treatment com
monty employed. No local infammatory
disease Of any other organ has ever been
cured without local treatment, and without
focdi treatment / consider bronchitis as
fatal as consumption. The bronchial
membrane in time becomes altered in
structure and pours forth a matter which
has all the qualities Of pus; hectic fever
and night sweats supervene, and the case
tends slowly put surely to death.
There is a form OF bronchitis especially |
on account Of the great album
canoe Of the bronchial secretion. The
patients expectorate a pint or more OF
ffothy fluid day. resembling gum water
They are pale, like persons blanchcd by
hemorrhaGe; generally free from fever
neither quickness OF pulse nor heat Of skin
existing, but the wasting OF the body and
general weakness is extreme. Examined
after death no alterations or tubercles are
found, nor anything resembling consump-
ton in the state OF The lungs. They die Of
exhaustion through the excessive drain
made upon the fluids of the body. Such
cases are always durable il finely treated
by astringents and 'anitiseptfcs applied by
inhalation directIya..tb the relaxed and
weakened membrate Within the lungs.
ITO ID e1Tfinuedl
(sigHedj Rt9H-RT HUNTER VI. d.,
t1f7 West 45th ST.,
>i"iit New York. |
Dee. H. t.i9'
Readers, b THE NATIONAL
Tribune who arr. pterested for them
selves or friends can obtain Or. Hunters |
books free by addreSsiDg him as above.