DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY APPARATUS 107 



Poschel (Dissertation, 1905) made a very extensive investigation of the 

 subject of inhalation, using different apparatuses (ordinary spray apparatus, 

 apparatuses of Schenk and Bulling) on dogs, rabbits, cliickens and pigeons, 

 and reached the following conclusions: Vapors and gases penetrate to the 

 deepest sections of the respiratory apparatus. When powders are inhaled 

 through the nose the greater part is precipitated in the nasal cavities; when 

 inhaled through the mouth they reach the deepest parts of the respiratory 

 apparatus. Fluids in fine spray, when given by inhalation through the nose 

 with Bulling's or with the ordinary apparatus, do not enter the nasal cavities 

 but are precipitated in the nostrils; when inhaled through the mouth with 

 the ordinary apparatus they penetrate to the pharynx and larynx and the 

 upper fourth of the trachea, while with Bulling's apparatus they reach the 

 lower third of the trachea. Consequently, the inhalation of fluids in fine spray 

 is indicated only in diseases of the oesophagus, larynx and trachea. The 

 investigations of Freund (Berl. tierarztl. Woch., 1907) on horses and dogs 

 with the inhalation apparatuses of Siegle, Bulling and Wassmuth have also 

 furnished proof that when coarsely sprayed solutions are inhaled through the 

 nose they are precipitated just within the nostrils, while fluids in fine spray 

 reach only the pharyngeal cavity and at times the upper part of the trachea. 

 In dogs, fluids in fine spray, when inhaled through the mouth, penetrate to 

 the large and small bronchi but never to the alveoli. Kaestle (Zeitschr. fiir 

 physik. u. diatet. Therapie, 1907-1908) attributes the conflicting views to 

 differences in the arrangement of the experiments. With the new apparatuses, 

 he has succeeded at every attempt in introducing finely sprayed fluids into 

 respiring lungs down to the bronchi and probably also into the alveoli. 



EXPECTORANTS 



Synonyms: Promoters of expectoration, chest remedies, mucus-dissolv- 

 ing remedies, cough remedies, pneumatics, bechics, sternutatories, errhines, 

 ptarmics. 



Definition. — The general term expectorants is applied to a 

 group of drugs which possess the property of promoting the expec- 

 toration of disease products from the respiratory apparatus (ex- 

 pectore). These products are usually mucus, masses of catarrhal 

 purulent and croupous exudates, croupous membranes, pus, 

 blood, dead lung tissue, foreign bodies and parasites, which may be 

 located in the lungs, bronchi, trachea or larynx. More rarely, 

 snuff or other substances that cause sneezing (sternutatories, 

 errhines) are used to empty the nasal cavities. 



