The Somerset reporter., 1898-01-27
CHRONIC BRONCHITIS.

From DR. Hunters Lecturer on the Pro-
yrass If Medical Science in Lung Dis
eases.
Chronic Inflammation OF the mucous mem
brane lining the air tubes and cells OF the lungs
is very common and very serious disease. u
generally results from neglected colds, but is
sometimes caused by breathing dust in work.
shops and irritating gases and vapors in fac.
torres.
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 lung disease, because
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 ia absurd and untrue, since
these tubes are the seat Of every known lung
disease. All that can truthfully be said is that
bronchitis is not consumption, although 1t Is
liable TO end in that disease.
The most constant symptoms OF chronic
bronchitis are cough, shortness of breath and
mucous expectoraton. Its slight or serious
character is shown by the kind of matter raised
and the presence or absence or loss OF flesh,
hectic fever and night sweats. These latter
symptoms, when present, show the deep hold 1t
has on the lungs and how greatly it has already
weakened and undermined the general health.
A great many bronchial cases are met with in
people advanced in life. 1t begins with a cold
in the fall, which lasts all winter. They cough
and expectorate quantities OF gray and jelly
like mucus, but on the approach Of warm
weather the cough grows better, and the expec-
toration almost ceases, only to return with in-
creased severity on the advent OF cold again.
Unless arrested, this form Of senile bronchitis
cuts short the thread of life. Most old people
die OF il years before there is any necessity for
dying, for want of proper treatment.
In many cases chronic bronchitis is as dan
eerous as consumption itself, and even more so
than some forms Of that disease. So long as
no organic changes have taken place in the air
tubes and air cells, bronchitis is always perfect
" durable by local treatment of the diseased
tubes. But cannot conceive OF the possibility
Of any form Of bronchial disease being cured by
stomach medication or the treatment commonly
employed. No local inAammatory disease Of
any other organ has ever been cured without
local treatment, and without local treatment,
consider bronchitis as fatal as consumption.
The bronchial membrane in time becomes alter
ed 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 but surely to death.
There is form of bronchitis especially re-
markable on account of the great abundance OF
bronchial secretion. The patients expectorate
pint or more of frothy fluid day, resembling
gum water. They are pale, like persons
blanched by hemorrhage; generally free from
fever-neither quickness of pulse nor heat of
skin existing, but the wasting away Of the body
and general weakness is extreme. Examined
after death no alterations tubercles are found,
nor anything resembling consumption 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 cura-
Bile if timely Treated by astringents and anti
septics applied by inhalation directly to the re-
Taxed and weakened membrane within the
lungs.
ITO be continued.)
(Signed) ROBERT HUNTER, Nj. D.,
Specialist in Lung Cases,
III West 45th ST.,
New York.