Lectures on diseases of the respiratory organs, heart and kidneys / by Alfred L. Loomis.

Date:
1881
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Lectures on diseases of the respiratory organs, heart and kidneys / by Alfred L. Loomis. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    it is then designated hemorrhagic, and the hemorrhage is due to rupture of capillary vessels. Again, in some cases it is limited to parts of the larynx, more especially to the epi- glottis ; then it is usually associated with inflammation of the mouth, fauces and pharynx. The danger in this form of laryngitis is due not only to the submucous inflammation, but also to the spasm of the glottis, which the infiltration causes, partly by reflex action, partly by direct irritation of the adductor muscles of the vocal bands. Etiology.—Badly nourished cachectic subjects, rather than the strong and healthy, are predisposed to catarrhal laryngitis; those in the open air, constantly exposed to changes of temperature, are less liable to be affected with this form of inflammation than those who rarely are sub- jected to such exposures. There is also a peculiar vice of constitution that renders certain persons especially liable to catarrhal inflammation, and consequently predisposes them to attacks of catarrhal laryngitis. Among the exciting causes of this affection may be named chilling of the surface by exposure to wet and cold, particularly that of the neck and feet; mechanical vio- lence to the larynx, inhalation of irritating vapors and acrid liquids may give rise to the most intense laryngeal catarrh. Laryngitis may also be developed secondarily during the course of the exanthematous fevers, typhus fever, diph- theria and syphilis,—not unfrequently it is the result of the extension of inflammation from parts adjacent to the larynx, x as in tonsillitis, erysipelas, etc. Morbid growths and ulcers of the larynx are accompanied by more or less laryngeal catarrh. The catarrhal laryngitis which is always present in influenza must be regarded as a constitutional or infec- tious disorder. Acute bronchitis is usually attended by a mild form of laryngeal catarrh. Symptoms.—The symptoms that attend the development of catarrhal laryngitis vary with the extent and severity of the inflammatory process; its approach is very insidious, but a slight laryngeal catarrh may suddenly become very severe in character.