On a form of bronchitis (simulating phthisis) which is peculiar to certain branches of the potting trade : a graduation thesis to which was awarded the gold medal of the University of Edinburgh, August 2, 1864 / by Charles Parsons.
- Parsons, Charles
- Date:
- 1864
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: On a form of bronchitis (simulating phthisis) which is peculiar to certain branches of the potting trade : a graduation thesis to which was awarded the gold medal of the University of Edinburgh, August 2, 1864 / by Charles Parsons. 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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![meet with cases which have assumed a chronic character from their onset, and acute symptoms have never formed a part of their history. And this is the more remarkable, when we take into consideration the twofold nature of the combination to which these patients have been ex- posed. How much.of tliis immunity is due to the influ- ence of habit, and how much to individual idiosyncrasy, it is difficult to determine. Probably they both have weight though not equally. We certainly know that the sensi- bility of that most sensitive of mucous surfaces, the con- junctiva, to the presence of foreign bodies, gradually diminishes when the extraneous matter has become per- manently established in its tissues. There is, so to speak, a reconciliation between them. May it not then be assumed, that in a similar manner the bronchial membrane gradually becomes accustomed to the irritating dust, and never manifests syn)ptoms indicative of the acute form of in- flammation ? The two cases, pathologically considered, are not strictly ]iaralle], and I refer to the conjunctiva asi an exemplilication merely of the modifying influence of habit in the development of disease. But the question still remains. Why is it that the same (jauses produce in one person the acute variety, and in a.nother the chronic form of bronchitis ? The solution of this problem is a matter of infinite difficulty. We are in the hal)it of attributing it to idiosyncnisy. But this is equivalent to acknowletlging our inability to give a satisfactory answer to the question. We cover our ig- norance with this name. It is a conventional phrase, and so perhaps is convenient, but it adds nothing whatever to our previous knowledge of the subject. I think I ha^'e observed tliat, as a rule, persons with a quiet, low, and rather languid pulse, whose vitality is somewhat below par, as it is called, are mostly liable to](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b22284801_0022.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
