PNEUMONIA 29 



of the excretory organs and, in fact, the whole 

 mechanism of the body, is more or less interfered 

 with and thrown ovit of its normal equilibrium. 

 In other words, we have to deal not only with 

 toxins produced by the invading ' organisms, but 

 with toxins produced by the animal itself, that is, 

 with an autointoxication. 



Thus free elimination, both by the intestinal , 

 tract and the kidneys, must be maintained as the 

 most essential part of the treatment. This may 

 be accomplished by small doses of calomel, one- 

 fourth grain every two hours to efifect, or until one 

 to two grains have been taken, and by the diuretic 

 mixture given for the treatment of bronchitis. 

 Constipation must never be allowed to persist. 



In sthenic cases, with a full, bounding pulse, 

 the circulation must be equalized either by bleeding 

 or, better still, by small, repeated doses of 1-1600 

 to 1-800 grain of aconitin every thirty minutes to 

 effect, and. then at intervals sufficient to keep the 

 pulse within bounds. 



The same application to the chest wall as given 

 under bronchitis should be applied, or equal parts 

 of guaiacol and camphorated oil rubbed in and 

 the thorax covered with a padded jacket. Abundance 

 of fresh air should be allowed. The cough may be 

 controlled by the administration of codein, one- 

 fourth grain as required, and expectoration facili- 

 tated by inhalations and expectorant mixtures. 

 Guaiacol is an extremely useful drug in this con- 

 dition, being an antipyretic, stimulant, and respira- 

 tory disinfectant. 



In the second and third stages an ever-watchful 

 eye must be kept on the heart, and stimulants given 

 as conditions indicate. Strychnin, 1-200 to 1-60 

 grain, is the drug most useful here, and it may be 

 advantageously combined with 1-50 grain of digi- 



