Inflammation of the lungs : pneumonia, or pneumonitis / [Anon].

  • Bracy Clark
Date:
[1838]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Inflammation of the lungs : pneumonia, or pneumonitis / [Anon]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    juices of the body will usefully sheath and protect the bowels and urinary passages from any acrimony of the fluids, that may be engendered by the morbid actions of the complaint, as also from strangury by the absorption of the cantharides from the blisters, where these especially have been extensively resorted to, and variously disguised, will in part form an innocent means of remuneration to the practitioner, without his resorting to more violent measures of injurious effect perhaps, and whose useful offices might otherwise appear of too simple a character. It will not unfrequently happen also that the veterinarian will be called in late in the disease, where from neglect, injurious treatment, or the force of the disorder, water or lymph shall be thrown out in the cavity of the chest, or abdomen, or both, and which condition is attended with great danger; such may be ascertained by placing the ear strongly against the suspected side, and agitating the fluid within ; or perhaps, for we have not tried it, better by the use of the stethescope or tube of wood. But hitherto we have hardly ever discovered the presence of water with certainty, till the opening of the carcase after death; both the signs and the treatment in this dangerous symptom, we know but little of, and which seems particularly to demand the enquiries of the profession. Perhaps the trocar, or minute puncturation might draw it off, and save the patient, or by remedies that would strengthen the system for its absorption, gentle purgative medicines duly used are efficacious means in this respect, or if the strength of the patient will admit of it perhaps dry cupping also, or with scarifications, might assist us in this case. On discovering water in the chest therefore, our measures must be changed, and though few recover when this is the case, we apprehend some benefit might be attained, by cautiously supporting the system, by giving in small quantities light nutritious food with spicy cordials, assidu- ously administered. Occasional dry cupping, or if the patient is with a pretty good pulse, with abstraction of blood. Gentle diuretics also, to cause its absorption, may be administered perhaps’ or even a light purgative ; where, however, as in this case, actual experience is failing us, it is with the greatest diffidence we venture these propositions for future ascertainment of their effects. The trocar, or paracentesis thoracis may be perhaps employed advantageously also, by ridding the cavity of the water, and where the lungs had not suffered much, may afford a chance for the restoration. Cold stables, and neglectful attention to the animal, must be avoided, and every thing that tends to offend, or distress him. One instance of using the trocar has lately come to our knowledge, where the horse recovered, but then little or no water followed the introduction of the instrument, that we have no proof of there having been any ; and by the removal of the water, it should be remembered we do not remove the causes of its formation, which will require our primary attention. The lungs appear to be soon injured and disorganized by a vigorous attack of pneumonitis ; it is of the greatest consequence, therefore, the resorting to an early bleeding, pursuing it till a decided impression is produced upon the pulse. The texture of the lungs is seen after a violent fatal attack of this sort to be very much like a torn sponge drenched in blood, and at other times with abscesses. Should an obstinate diarrhoea, or superpurgation take place, from purgatives injudiciously administered, or from cold, and improper exposure, the blood by such exposure being deter- mined to the intestines, we should recommend, though it may at first appear somewhat repul- D
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