On the winter health resorts of the Alps / by E. Symes Thompson.

  • Symes-Thompson, Edmund, 1837-1906.
Date:
1883
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the winter health resorts of the Alps / by E. Symes Thompson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    lungs bound down by fibrous deposits lose their hard percussion note ; permeability and elasticity return ; the size of the chest increases, and the air enters freely, puerile breath sounds taking the place of feeble breathing. The circulation through the lungs being freed, the heart’s action is relieved, its pulsations become less frequent, and the tendency to catarrhal complications following exertion and exposure to cold is eventually lost. My attention has been drawn to the fact that, if the pulse becomes quiet, the irritability of the heart lessens, the temperature falls, and it is safe to prognosticate im- provement ; if the temperature remains high for six weeks after arrival, and shows no sign of decided re- duction, then it is best to try another change of climate. The quick pulse may generally be traced to obstruction in the pulmonary circulation. It was pointed out by my late father, Dr. Theophilus Thompson, that the rapid pulse of phthisis is not reduced by recumbency as it is in health. The rarefied air, by leading to full chest expansion, frees the pulmonary capillaries, and thus the necessity for hurried action of the right heart is removed ; with the reduction in the pulse rate a diminution of pyrexia occurs, and catarrhal complica- tions become less severe and lasting. Cases of general bronchitis, whether acute, sub-acute, or chronic, are, however, seldom benefited unless there is limited localised consolidation, the result of pneu- monia, pleurisy, or bronchitis, the remaining portions of lung being healthy. If this is the case, Alpine climates often do great good, the hardened portions of lung become pervious, the surrounding healthy parts expand, and so the dyspnoea is lessened and paroxysmal asthma no longer occurs.