Tracheotomy in laryngeal diphtheria (membranous croup) : with especial reference to after-treatment to which are added a few general remarks on diphtheria, and its earlier treatment / by Robert William Parker.

  • Parker, Robert William, -1913.
Date:
1880
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Tracheotomy in laryngeal diphtheria (membranous croup) : with especial reference to after-treatment to which are added a few general remarks on diphtheria, and its earlier treatment / by Robert William Parker. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    specify the exact moment that an operation ought to be done. If the dyspnoea is very intense—other remedies having failed—there is then no choice but to operate. The question, however, is, should we let our patients get to this stage before we operate ? By common consent, the operation itself is not dangerous, and it hardly, if at all, complicates the primary disease, which calls for it. On the other hand, the dangerous nature of the lung collapse which quickly supervenes in cases of this kind is well known, and it may be well therefore to operate before delay renders success all but impossible. It will be wise in all cases to adopt certain precautions. The patient will, of course, be in bed, and, when the cause is doubtful, isolated from the rest of the house- hold ; and the atmosphere of his room should be kept uniformly warm and moist. He should never be left alone. As regards diet, solid or semi-solid food may be given ; indeed, this is sometimes more easily swallowed than liquids.