Case of a foreign body impacted in the orifice of the third branch of the right bronchus : with remarks / by John Gregory Forbes.

  • Forbes, John Gregory.
Date:
[1850]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Case of a foreign body impacted in the orifice of the third branch of the right bronchus : with remarks / by John Gregory Forbes. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    on the structure of the lung, and perhaps on the patient’s life, Mr. Arnott’s assistance was again sought; and on the 17th, he met Dr. Miller, Mr. Anderson, and myself in con¬ sultation. Owing, however, to the uncertainty which was felt in fixing on the exact position of the foreign body, and the consequent doubt as to the possibility of being able to grasp it in the forceps, and the symptoms not being of that urgent nature which called for immediate interference, it was considered inexpedient to undertake an operation. On the 18th, I found her in the afternoon complaining of much pain in the throat and “ all over her/’ with the skin hot, the pulse 132, and the respirations 48 per minute. A blister, which had been applied the day before under the right clavicle, had given her some relief. In consultation with Drs. MHntyre and Miller, the following mixture was pre¬ scribed :— R Liq. amraon. acet., ^iss; Decoct, senegse, ^vj ; Tinct. hyoscyami, 5\j- M. Sumat cochl. ij ampla 4^ quaque hora. May 18th to June 1st. But, not to weary the Society with daily details, I may briefly state that for the following fortnight her symptoms were—disturbed nights, paroxysms of fever occurring almost daily, and generally in the after¬ noon; profuse night-sweats, general pains, probably from coughing and her own efforts to expel the foreign body. The cough assumed a more paroxysmal character, and was aggravated by any change of position. It was especially violent on first awaking, owing to accumulation of mucus, for on this being expectorated, she obtained temporary relief. She was much distressed also by retching and vomiting when the cough was violent. Her respirations varied from 36 to 40 per minute, and her pulse from 96 to 120. Her urine was high coloured and loaded with lithates, and her bowels acted generally without medicine. The auscultatory signs for this period were more or less dullness on percussion on the right side of the chest posteriorly, whilst under the cla¬ vicle a clear sound was given out. Here also the respiratory