35 



Zbc Storv of :©iiC>=*2)eatb. 



By \V. Gko. Cresweli., M.D., L.R.C.P., F.Z.S., etc. 

 (Conlifiued from page 221, Vol. III.) 



IT may perliaps enhance the interest felt in onr 

 subject by the general reader, if I illustrate the 

 foregoing description of the pathological course 

 and appearances of the disease by a few ex- 

 amples, culled from the great number of cases which 

 at various times I have investigated. This will not 

 only possess the advantage of presenting these in- 

 stances as definite pictures, but will also allow of our 

 discussing as far as possible the symptoms observed 

 during life. The limitation involved in the expression 

 "as fir as possible" is very necessary, because — 

 contrary to what might be thought — the symptoms 

 are necessarily very vague, and each one taken by 

 itself might point equally to more than one disease. 

 Even in the case of the human subject the same thing 

 obtains. A person is seen to be somewhat impeded in 

 the act of breathing, and to have a cough either at 

 frequent or very infrequent intervals. Now this con- 

 dition taken by itself tells the physician nothing, 

 although it is quite sufficient for the kindly amateur 

 or for the quack, either of whom according to the lead- 

 ing fancy for the time obsessing his individual mind, 

 will promptly diagnose either bronchitis, croup, 

 asthma, consumption, pleurisy, inflammation of the 

 lungs, or perhaps even "cough." How then does the 

 physician come to a conclusion as to what disease or 

 combination of diseases this patient with a cough and 

 impeded breathing is afflicted with ? In the first place 

 the particular quality of these two symptoms is carefully 

 weighed and taken in conjunction with various other 

 phenomena, which have escaped the notice of the lay 

 attendants, but which taken altogether are of real im- 

 portance. And then — more important still — comes the 



