ACUTE AND EPICEMIC PNEUMONIA. 



which, the vital power being exhausted, disease of a typhoid and 

 malignant character succeeds. 



Of the nature of the treatment there can be no rational doubt. 

 Although the state of acute fever is quickly succeeded by one of a 

 perfectly contrary character, it is not until it has committed the most 

 earful ravages. The congested state of the lungs — the breaking 

 down of the substance of that important part — must be sufficient to 

 convince any rational person of the mischief that is going forward in 

 the early stage, and the necessity of disarming the enemy before that 

 mischief is irreparably inflicted. Therefore this acute pneumonia 

 should be attacked in time, and by the most energetic treatment. 

 Bleeding is the sheet-anchor, and should be pushed to its full extent. 

 The important fact that the pulse, duly attended to, will prevent the 

 possibility of injurious consequences from bleeding in every case, can- 

 not be too often alluded to. While the pulse keeps up, the power 

 of the constitution, or rather the power of the disease, is unimpaired ; 

 and the faltering of pulse gives timely warning that one or the other 

 is preparing to give way. It is folly to object that the after weaknesg 

 will be increased, or that the bleeding will undermine the power of 

 the constitution ; it is the disease which is doing this, and which will 

 fatally accomplish its work if unchecked. By weakening the power 

 of the disease, and especially by its removal, the vigor of the system 

 would be preserved, and the animal would be saved. In proportion 

 to the intensity and rapid progress of the inflammation should be the 

 vigor the attack. 



The state of the cough, and heat of the breath, and heaving of the 

 flanks, will indicate, in the space of a few hours, whether the fever is 

 permanently diminished, or has again rallied its forces ; and by this 

 the practitioner will be guided as to the propriety of a second bleed- 

 ing, and the quantity of blood to be taken. 



Physic will of course succeed. Two scruples of the farina of the 

 Croton nut should first be given, as most likely to operate speedily ; 

 and the Epsom salts and the injection-pump should be in requisition 

 until the bowels are well opened. 



This being accompHshed, if the inflammation evidently continues, 

 digitalis, emetic tartar, and nitre will be given. If the fever is, to a 

 very considerable degree, subdued, but it is far from certain whether 

 there may not be Im-king danger of its return, the sedative medicines 

 must still be given, but half an once of the spirit of nitrous ether 

 should be added. This is an excellent medicine in such cases. It is 

 both a sedative and a tonic. It allays irritation, and it stimulates to 

 healthy action. Its good efi'ect, however, is often destroyed by its 

 being given in enormous doses. In these doubtful cases it will rarely 

 be piudent to give more than half an ounce ; and when designed aa 

 a stimulant, the dose st.ould rarely or never exceed double thai 

 quantity. 



