The curability and treatment of pulmonary phthisis / Tr. and ed. by Montagu Lubbock.

  • Jaccoud, S. (Sigismond), 1830-1913.
Date:
1885
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The curability and treatment of pulmonary phthisis / Tr. and ed. by Montagu Lubbock. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University.

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    with tubercles which were softening in one of the upper lobes of the lung, was affected almost immediately after his journey from Meran to Paris by severe haemoptysis. On this and the following day his condition passed from an apyretic state to one of fever, the temperature at night being always above 102° F. (39° C), and frequently reaching 104° F. (40° C). He remained in a serious condition for fifteen days, after which the haemorrhage ceased, the fever entirely subsided, and, after a relatively short period of convalescence, his recovery was so far complete that he could undertake the return journey to Meran without more danger than he had incurred when visiting Paris. One fact should be noted, which is not the least interesting in the account of this case, namely, that this was by no means the first time that haemoptysis had occurred. In the four pre- vious years he had had four attacks, usually in the spring, and always when some change of residence had caused strong to lie substituted for weak atmospheric pressure. According to the report of the physicians to whose care he was then entrusted, these attacks were neither less severe, nor attended with less pyrexia than when Paris was visited. Notwithstanding their serious character, however, they had no appreciable effect upon the evolution of the disease. Whilst the haemoptysis continued, the patient was certainly hi imminent danger, but when the attack was over, the affection returned to the inert condition in which it had now been for many years, and which constituted a statu quo equivalent to relative recovery. The curability of the disease is much more seriously compromised if the pyrexia aroused by haemoptysis continues when the latter has ceased, and becomes persistent. Of whatever type the fever may be, it modifies seriously the condition of the patient, for, as will soon be explained, whilst it lasts every idea of improvement must be abandoned. Lastly, it should be pointed out that the haemoptysis