A new method of inhalation for the treatment of diseases of the lungs / by W.H. Spencer.

  • Spencer, W. H. (William Henry), 1837-1910
Date:
1895
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A new method of inhalation for the treatment of diseases of the lungs / by W.H. Spencer. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    18/64 page 14
    What we want to do we learn from Pathology; and it is shortly, this. We want to apply medicaments, of known and tried value for their antiseptic or remedial powers, to surfaces within the lungs—whether the surfaces be the seat of catarrhal or other inflammation, or be sup- purating or ulcerating surfaces, or else, and along with these, the seat of bacterial and septic changes. We are not concerned to speak now of consolidations, tubercular or otherwise—albeit these are indirectly within reach by our method—but only of diseased conditions of the surfaces of the air-tubes and surfaces directly in communication with them. In bronchitis in all its forms we want to apply remedies directly to the whole interior surface of the affected bronchial tubes ; and in the earlier stages of phthisis we want to apply remedies to the remotest ends of these, even to the air-cells. In the later stages of phthisis, when cavities have formed and ulceration is rife, we want to apply antiseptics to the surfaces of the cavities. And here we have to do with a state of things the same in all respects (save only in respect of situation) as that so often seen and treated locally with success in parts exposed to view. And since, in parts external, the mode of healing of a suppurating and ulcerating wound is always and only effected by organisation, or fibroid transformation, going on in the living tissue beneath the pus, and the local treatment is directed to promote and to bring about this mode of healing—so within the lungs we want to promote and bring about by the direct contact of our remedies the healing by this same mode. Again, not only do we want to bring our remedies in actual contact with the surfaces we wish thereby to
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