ACUTE DISEASES OF THE ORGANS OP RESPIRATION. 213 



ship, (fee, as the result of actual insuflSciency of pure air, producing a 

 partially arrested condition of the function of the lungs. 



The symptoms of pulmonary congestion are characterised by, an 

 oppressed, almost indistinct pulse, beating with great rapidity and rang- 

 ing from 80 to 120 beats per minute; the ears and legs are very cold, 

 the patient is much distressed and stands with the fore-legs wide apart 

 and elbows turned outward, the nostrils are distended, the body is 

 covered with cold perspiration, and to these distressing sjTnptoms are 

 added laboured respiration, a wildly-beating heart, and redness of the 

 visible mucous membrane. 



431&. Treatment. 



The first measure to be taken is at once to get the patient into a 

 well-ventilated loose box, to clothe the body warmly, and well hand-rub 

 and bandage the legs ; if this fails to restore heat to the limbs they must 

 be placed in hot mustard and water or well rubbed with liniment of 

 ammonia and double bandages applied. If you catch the patient in a 

 shivering fit, give at once nitrous ether 3 to 4 ounces — or if that is not 

 at hand 2 ounces of good whiskey. 



Hot fomentations should be immediately applied to the chest with 

 pieces of blanket well wrung up (see par. 255). To each bucket of 

 water two ounces of oil of turpentine should be added. When finished, 

 dry gently but thoroughly, and replace the wet by dry blankets. 



Diffusible stimulants are indicated in this disease for the purpose of 

 equalising the circulation. No stimulant answers better than a couple of 

 ounces of good whiskey. It should be given at once in a pint of water 

 and repeated in an hour. It has a wonderful restorative effect, if due 

 care is taken that the patient and not his attendant is submitted to its 

 influence. For other diffusible stimulants, if whiskey is not at hand, see 

 par. 300. 



At this stage mustard, not very strong, rubbed at both sides of the 

 chest is often beneficial. 



Above all, perfect quiet must be observed, the diet should be easy of 

 digestion, light and laxative, such as small mashes, boiled linseed, carrots, 

 or green food, &;c., and a pail of water in which an ounce of nitrate of 

 potass has been dissolved should be within reach. 



For obvious reasons, in all diseases of the lungs and in all cases where 

 the breathing is interfered with, the clothing should be put on very 

 loosely (see par. 251). 



PNEUMONIA. 



^b ' 432. Seat and symptoms of Pneumonia. 



^F Pneumonia is inflammation of the substance of the lungs, but generally 



Hthe bronchiae are also involved. 



H The premonitory symptom as in bronchitis is often a slight catarrh. 



I 



