On some points in the pathology, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of pneumonia / by C.H.F. Routh.

  • Routh, C. H. F. (Charles Henry Felix), 1822-1909
Date:
1855
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On some points in the pathology, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of pneumonia / by C.H.F. Routh. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    (b) by accidents in the human subject^ and (c) by chemical investigation. (a) 1. You may induce pneumonia by thinning the blood, or diminishing its vitality, or by internal remedies which have a similar effect. 2. The subsequent deposition and increase of fibrin is due to hyperoxygenation of this fluid, both by increased activity in the lungs and in the cutaneous function. (b.) Pneumonia is frequently induced in typhoid dis¬ eases, and is a common cause of death after wounds or surgical operations. (c.) It is probably connected with a diminution in solvents of the blood, specially the quantity of chlorides, and secondarily the alkaline phosphates. (a) 1. The following experiments of Magendie prove that it may be artificially produced by defibrinising the blood. (See British and Foreign Review, vol. viii.) Eight ounces of blood were taken from the jugular vein of a dog, and the fibrin thereof extracted. This defibrinised blood was then reinjected. The animal became distressed, refused food, lay down, and made several attempts to vomit. The experiment was repeated. The same symptoms appeared * the animal became weaker, and finally died. On a post mortem examination being made the next day, the body was found very rigid, and offensive in smell. The lungs Avere hepatised; reddish serum was effused in the cavity of the thorax; and there was no true coagulation of the blood. The experiment was repeated in a more gradual manner, and during several days. The results were identical; but in addition, there was inflammation and ulceration of the cornea, and the skin was covered with petechise and scabies. Now, Magendie believes that the pneumonia in all these cases is due to want of fibrin in the blood. In like manner, in cases of poisoning by the injection of senanthic ether, the blood be¬ comes uncoagulable; as also where putrid matter is injected in the blood, and pneumonia is induced. In the latter case, Magendie found that if a few drops of water impregnated with putrid meat, were injected into the blood of a dog, the animal first presented symptoms of undue activity, and was affected Avith fever; then, after a time it laid down, refused food, and vomited an immense quantity of black matter, characteristic of yelloAv fever. Pneumonia is the common post mortem appearance observed in all these cases. The same explanation may be given to the production of pneu¬ monia by the asphyxiating gases from common sewers; in
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