On the inhalation of cold medicated vapors in phthisis pulmonalis, and the use of showering syringes in laryngeal and catarrhal diseases / by Guilford D. Sanborn.

  • Sanborn, Guilford D.
Date:
1855
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the inhalation of cold medicated vapors in phthisis pulmonalis, and the use of showering syringes in laryngeal and catarrhal diseases / by Guilford D. Sanborn. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    remedies are used by inhalation as will dissolve the tubercles already depo- sited upon the mucous surface of the air-cells, by their chemical affinity for the substance of tubercle itself, and which thus, by liquefying it, assist Na- ture to remove it by her method of expectoration ; and secondly, measures are adopted to prevent the further deposit of tubercle. That alcoholic vapor will act upon the matter of tubercle as a solvent, there can be no doubt, when we consider the chemical nature of the two substances. And besides, when the substance of tubercle is placed in alco- hol, a solution of it really takes place. To prevent the further deposit of tubercle, I rely upon increasing the ca- pacity of the lungs by the mechanical effect of inhalation,' and on the invig- orating effects of a generous diet, with active exercise, pure air, and alcoholic drinks. By furnishing a free supply of carbonaceous material, in some form that readily unites with the oxygen of the air, the tissues are shielded from the destructive inroads of the latter agent. This maybe done by giving suitable food, and also by the different vapors employed to the lungs. That these vapors, as well as alcohol, all contain large amounts of carbon, will be seen by the list of them given in the next section. In detecting diseases of the lungs, the instrument most frequently employed by me is Cammann's Stethoscope, (Fig. 1, a,) which I consider superior to any other ever invented. Sometimes use is made of the common Stetho- scope, with a flexible tube (b.) The great advantage of Cammann's instru- ment is, that being capable of accurate adjustment to both ears at once, the sounds made within the chest are heard much more distinctly than they could be by one ear alone. The effect is as if the sound was made louder. In cases where the patient is much emaciated, the smaller funnel (c) is attached, in place of the larger one shown in (a)—the smaller being more easily fitted to the surface of the chest. In using this Stethoscope, the chest must be completely bare, the person quiet, and absolute stillness must pervade the room. The common Stethoscope is better for use above and below the clavicles, and about the trachea and larynx.