Researches on the nature, pathology, and treatment of emphysema of the lungs, and its relations with other diseases of the chest / by A.T.H. Waters.

  • Waters, A. T. Houghton (Alderman Thomas Houghton), 1826-1912.
Date:
1862
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Researches on the nature, pathology, and treatment of emphysema of the lungs, and its relations with other diseases of the chest / by A.T.H. Waters. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

    115/186 (page 87)
    On the view we take of the pathology and deter- mining causes of the disease, the whole question of its treatment hinges ; for, if we look upon it as simply and solely the result of bronchitic affections, our efforts will be solely directed to the prevention of these attacks; and we shall be apt to consider, when our efforts have been directed to this end, that we have done all that is possible towards the alleviation or cure of the primary disease. This, in my opinion, would be to take a very narrow view of the question, and one neither warranted by clinical investigation nor pathological enquiry. If, however, we recognise the disease, in its worst forms, as depending on some degeneration of tissue, analogous in its nature to, although not identical in its character with, that which we know attacks other organs besides the lungs, we may hope, by the recognition of tlie prin- ciple, to be guided to a practice more appropriate and successful than that which a more contracted view of the nature of the disease would lead us to. Morbid anatomy affords us a clear insight into the physical condition of the lung-tissue in emphysema; and we may fairly ask ourselves wdiether we are in possession of any means by the use of which we can hope to restore it to a healthy state. That, when the perforations in the walls of the air-sacs have taken place, and the walls themselves have become ruptured and torn, it is possible, by the use of any remedial measures we are now acquainted with, to restore the lung-tissue to a normal condition, we are not, in our present state of knowledge, warranted in