On the practical use of inhalations, in diseases of the throat and chest / [John Harwood].

Harwood, John, -1854.

Date:: 1839

Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the practical use of inhalations, in diseases of the throat and chest / [John Harwood]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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process of its absorption, of actual demonstration. And when we witness the quiescent state, which is sometimes induced in the tubercular disease of the lungs, consti¬ tuting consumption, under the combined aid of this kind of inhalation, well knowing, with feelings of deep and melancholy interest, the too frequent inefficacy of all other methods of treatment, employed separately in this disease, we are furnished with, at least, sufficient reason and encouragement, to urge our perseverance in the measure; and with sufficient evidence of the removal of disease, to justify the impression that some absorption of the tubercular accretion has been produced. The concussion of the chest, occasioned by repeated emetics, has been regarded, from early periods, as favour¬ able to the removal of tuberculous matter, in incipient consumption; but it seems to me by no means certain, that some, of whatever advantage has been derived from these medicines, may not be better assigned to the well- known promotion of absorption, by the influence of nausea. In addition to what has been already said in page 12, concerning the most convenient mode of inhaling, I would now add the following more general remarks regarding this process. I have generally employed inhalation, two, three, or four times during the day; the first being had recourse to early in the morning, before rising, or before the accession of cough, by which this is usually lessened, or is rendered much less severe and distressing to the patient; expectoration being greatly facilitated, by the moisture with which the mucous membrane of the air- passages, is imbued, by the inhaled vapour. Bed-time

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