Report of a Committee of the associate medical members of the Sanitary Commission on the subject of pneumonia.

  • United States. Sanitary Commission.
Date:
1862
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of a Committee of the associate medical members of the Sanitary Commission on the subject of pneumonia. 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.

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    Eelief of the acute pleuritic pain which belongs, in some cases, to the first stage of pneumonia, is an object of treat- ment. Eestraining the movements of the affected side, pain induces fatigue, from the increased frequency of the respira- tions, and conduces to suffering from dyspnrea. Local meas- ures will do much toward this object. A considerable number of d ry cups is an efficient measure. W^et cupping should be limited to cases in which the loss of the blood abstracted by this mode will be well borne. Stupes with water only, or with some stimulating applica- tion, such as the spirits of turpentine, often afford marked relief. Tlie oiled muslin jacket contributes to comfort by keeping the surface of the chest moistened witli persj)iration, and, if a flannel covering be added, all the advantages of a poultice, or the water-dressing, are secured. It is hardly ne- cessary to say that blisters are inadmissible, certainly in this stage. There need be no reluctance in prescribing opium in this stage, for the relief of pain. The value of opium for other objects will claim attention presently. If the phenomena of intermittent fever are developed, quinia should be given promptly and in efficient doses. The paroxysms should be arrested as speedily as possible. The j)atient maybe placed in great danger by their repetition. The existence of the pneumonia and the degree of symptom- atic febrile movement in no wise conflict with this important indication ; indeed, so far from conflicting with it, the sedative infliience of full doses of quinia may be useful, aside from the arrest of the paroxysms. In a malarious region, or if the patient have been subject to attacks of intermittent fever, it is judicious to forestall the possible development of the latter af- fection by moderate doses of quinia. It is a good rule, in such eases, to commence at once with the use of this remedy, irre- spective of the liability to the occurrence of intermittent paroxysms. The malarious cachexia impairs the power of