106 DISEASES OF THE TRACHEA AND BRONCHI. 



nium has also been tested, but with conflicting reports as to their 

 efficacy. 



As a local treatment, touching the mucous membrane of the 

 larynx with lunar caustic has been found useful. By means of the 

 atomizer, which even little children can sometimes use, inhalations 

 of steam, of emulsion of hyoscyamus extract, of bromide of potas- 

 sium (0.1.-0.02 to 50.00), and nitrate of silver (0.03.-0.06 to 30.00) 

 have moderated the attacks and shortened the disease. In the later 

 stages, when there is persistence of profuse secretion, the inhalation 

 of alum and of tannin may check the flow. In obstinate cases, if 

 possible, always try the effect of the compressed-air apparatus, to 

 whose beneficial action there is ample testimony.. The inhalation of 

 " gas-works fumes " now seems to have been abandoned.] 



Another and very important indication is, to prevent the secre- 

 tion from accumulating in the minuter bronchial tubes. We have 

 already pointed out that such obstructions are a source of danger in 

 themselves, being the cause of atelectasis. When we come to dis- 

 cuss the subject of catarrhal pneumonia, we shall show that this 

 disorder depends not merely upon a propagation of inflammation 

 from the bronchioles into the air-vesicles, but that obstruction of 

 the bronchi and the consequent collapse of the lung also play an 

 important part in its etiology. Emetics, therefore, very justly, are 

 highly thought of in the treatment of whooping-cough, although 

 we cannot approve of their administration every second or third 

 day, without any particular indication, which practice is common 

 enough. The smaller the child, the narrower its bronchi, so much 

 the more danger is there of their obstruction, and so much the more 

 sedulously must we watch them. If, immediately after the cough, 

 there still remain audible rdles in the chest, if the child grow short 

 of breath, or should the respiration become enfeebled throughout a 

 part of the thorax, do not dally until signs of imperfect decarboni- 

 zation of the blood set in, but give an emetic forthwith, and repeat 

 it whenever the symptoms recur. We have already explained why 

 it is that emetics unfortunately do not always produce the desired 

 effect. 



Finally, especially in the third stage, when impoverishment of 

 the blood and general exhaustion furnish the most urgent symptoms, 

 the free administration of meat-diet, eggs, wine, and the ferruginous 

 preparations is indicated. 



