COUGHS 73 



chitis, laryngitis, etc., we make an ei3fort to classify it 

 by forcing the patient to cough. This can usually be done 

 by firm pressure in the laryngeal region exerted by grip- 

 ping the parts firmly with the whole hand. If this fails 

 to bring a cough from the patient, a smart tap over the 

 middle of the trachea will often produce it. In still 

 other cases a squirt of cold water into the pharynx by , 

 the use of a dose syringe will arouse a cough. Our exam- 

 ination further includes careful auscultation of suspected 

 regions — ^larynx, trachea and thorax. In cases pointing 

 to thoracic lesions, percussion often tells us all we need 

 to know for purposes of treatment. "When diagnosis has 

 been made, treatment is prescribed to suit the particular 

 condition affecting the individual examined. 



If we are satisfied, from the history and findings of 

 our examination, that the patient coughs most markedly 

 in the morning, because of a catarrhal condition of the 

 pharyngeal mucous membrane, the cough being an effort 

 to dislodge mucus accumulations that have collected over!/ 

 night, we give small doses of dichromate of potassium.' 



A case that we decided has resulted from an improp- 

 erly treated or a neglected distemper we give iodid of 

 potassium. 



The patient that has a chronic cough and at the same 

 time gives evidence of its becoming a roarer is given one 

 ounce of a two per cent aqueous solution of tincture of 

 capsicum several times daily. 



The patient with a bronchial cough is given Fowler's 

 solution of arsenic. 



The cough that "hangs on" a,fter an attack of pneu- 

 monia usually does not remain long if we give the patient 

 small doses of beechwood creosote in glycerin several 

 times daily. 



Occasionally we meet a case wherein there exists a dry, 

 hacking cough, that is the result of an irritable state in 



