Case of laryngo-tracheitis, terminating favourably after tracheotomy / by James D. Gillespie, M.D.

  • Gillespie, James Donaldson.
Date:
1850
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Case of laryngo-tracheitis, terminating favourably after tracheotomy / by James D. Gillespie, M.D. 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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    prising, when we take into account the imperfect oxygenation of the maternal blood, which existed for a considerable period; but it, at the same time, evinces the power which nature bestows on the off- spring of accommodating itself to the influences affecting the vital economy of the parent. With regard to the diagnosis of the disease detailed above, httle can be said. Mrs Donald was not seen by me soon enough to admit of much time for deliberation respecting the precise extent of her disease. So far as I can ascertain, I find that she had no cough till the day before I saw her; and, when it did appear, it had not the ring- ing metallic character heard in the croup of children. The stridu- lous breathing was certainly present, but that may be referred to the oedematous state of the glottis. I believe, therefore, that unless some portion of membrane has been expectorated, or some appear- ance of exudation has been found on the fauces, no suspicion of false membrane in the larynx and trachea can be excited. It is fortunate that the indications for treatment in acute laryngeal and tracheal affections of the adult are alike, and that we are called upon to pro- vide an artificial means of respiration, whenever the natural passage becomes inefficient for the purpose. It must be clearly understood, that I speak only of acute primary idiopathic inflammation of the larynx and trachea; for, in the diph- theritic kind of inflammation, the propriety of operation is much more doubtful. In it there is an unhealthy state of the system to be com- bated, which is probably more dangerous than the local affection ; and it is the confouncUng these two distinct diseases—laryngitis and diphtheritis—which has caused so many apparently contradictory statements to be made by authors. MUlllUV V.Nli OUIU, I'lUNTEKS, EniNBl'HOir.