CHRONIC PNEUMONIA. 115 



with the same unremitting perseverance, until we are satis- 

 fied that what inflammatory or febrile action remains is but 

 the decline of that which, from all appearances, is taking 

 the turn to end either in the restoration of health, or some 

 one or other of the terminations of inflammation. Vene- 

 section being, from prudential motives, withheld, the Plum- 

 mer^s ball will now become our great dependence, in 

 combination with all the aid we can derive from the full 

 employment of counter-irritation. 



Blisters and rowels and setons are now especially 

 useful. I would put a sharp and large blister upon the 

 breast; or, a rowel may be inserted first, and a blister 

 rubbed afterwards upon it. At this time also the sides may 

 be blistered, or setons may be introduced into them. In 

 my own practice, I depend most on blisters upon the breast, 

 with the insertion of a rowel there ; the sides being after- 

 wards bhstered : while, throughout the treatment, the ball 

 must be continued thrice a day, or every eight hours, until 

 either the mouth be affected or the symptoms sufficiently 

 give way. 



CHRONIC PNEUMONIA. 



This is a kind or stage of disease in which, although 

 fever may be, and commonly is demonstrably present, yet 

 it is in that subdued or mild form which plainly foretels 

 that the case is likely to prove one of considerable duration. 

 There is no occasion for any immediate alarm about the life 

 of the patient ; and yet, since such important parts as the 

 the lungs are the seat of disease, though it be of a tardy 

 and lingering nature, it may be difficult or impossible to say 

 what may be the issue. Chronic pneumonia may have been 

 the continuation of that which in the beginning was acute, 

 and afterwards became sub-acute : or it may, and often 

 does, have its own origin, run its own course, and terminate 

 in its own peculiar modes, as though it were a disease sui 

 generis. 



The symptoms are often of such mild and indefinite cha- 



