The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-10
CONCERNING COUGH.
1t Is Not "a Disease, hut N symptom
Methods Of Treatment.

Cough, strictly speaking, is not a disease.
but a symptom of a disease. although it is
in itself abnormal nor is it of slight impor-
lance. Aside from being disagreeable to
the person and those around him., a cough
may cause chronic throat troubles and
may even cause a rupture or burst a blood
vessel by the violence of the explosive and
~expulsive action.
To speak of cough without qualifying
terms is TO give a very vague description Of
the symptom. The physician, for Example
designates certain types of cough as dry
and tight, indicative of incipient bronchitis:
or soft, deep and loose, significant of adj
vanced bronchitis; deep and distressing.
symptomatic of advanced consumption;
short and sharp, as in pneumonia; hoarse
and barking, in the early stage of Group,
land whistling, in more advanced stages;
spasmodic and whooping in whooping
cough. and dry and hollow when due TO
no specific disease of the throat or lungs,
but caused by nervousness or sympathy
Will some disease of other organs or parts.
The mechanism of cough is simple. 1t
may be the result of breathing an irritating
vapor or dust, or due TO mechanical irri-
tation; then the muscles of the throat are
irritated and spasmodically contract to ex-
pei and prevent further access of the irri-
tating agent. More often 1t is due to the
accumulation of some morbid, overabund-
ant secretion in the throat or lungs, and
is then an action tending toward the ex-
pulsion Of such morbid material to prevent
accumulation and possible suffocation.
Physiologically considered a cough is due
to a primary irritation Of the air passages
by a current of cold air or some similar
agent which acts on the smaller blood yes
sells (capillaries) so that they become dis.
ended with blood, and as they become
thickened Qndurated) and swollen. decrease
the normal aperture for the passage of air
to and from the lungs, thus causing a feel
ing of oppression and more rapid breath
ing. Then the mucus is increased in guam
tity, owing to the extra pressure on the
blood vessels, which causes an emulation
of serum through their walls, and this
mucus becomes abnormal IN character,
thus still further increasing the irritation.
At this stage coughing begins as one of
natures curative methods and the irritat-
ing matter is expelled. while at the same
time it stimulates the local circulation at
the infamed parts and thus tends to dimin-
1911 NAS ~ 49, 80
To check cough without acting upon the
disturbances which cause it would, there
fore, be most unwise if not homicidal. for if
the secretions remain, obstructing the air
passage or flooding the lungs, suffocation
ensues. slow. though it may, just as sure
ly as If the victim should be choked to
death or drowned. TIL first indication in
cough is, therefore. to give medicines
e. -lsr~ 49,, lIox-;o< -. c1xx-l IL
so by acting beneficially and curatively
upon the Inflammation which causes the
cough.
Cough remedies are without lumber.
some time-tried and proved. and some
that have still to be tested by experience.
Dilute prussic acid. for example. is good
for irritable coughs, especially in consump-
ton and in reflex cough due to irritation OF
the stomach. This. in fact. a common in
gredient of cough medicines, under the
form of syrup of wild cherry bark. which
owes it's calmative power to prussic acid
contained in it, this acid being found in
cherry leaves, bark and stones. as well as
in peach stones. in such quantities in the
latter that children have been killed by
| eating the pits. In throat cough t~incture. OF
aconite is useful. allaying fever and also
exerting a local anaesthetic action. allay-
ing irritation and the tickling sensation
which induces the cough. Aconite. however.
should be used cautiously for any purpose.
as 1t is a powerful and violent poison and
may render the condition worse Alcohol.
in the form Of whisky or brandy, Is often
of value. a common form being the WELL
known rock and rye. composed Of q pound
/ of rock candy to q quart bottle Of whisky.
c1vcerfne NAV also b added tn rock and
rye. or II may be used II comblnation With