iSgo DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY ORGANS 



etiology. — The following species of the genus Oidium Link have 

 been found in cases of bronchitis, although it is doubtful whether 

 they are all pathogenic : — 



Oidium lactis Link, including 0. lactis A, a variety described 



by Linossier. 

 Oidium matalense Castellani. 

 Oidium rotundatum Castellani. 

 Oidium asteroides Castellani. 



For description of these fungi the reader is referred to 

 Chapter XXXIX., p. 1093. 



Symptomatology. — This is identical with that of bronchomoniliasis, 

 and two types may be distinguished: the mild type and the severe 

 one. 



Prognosis. — Favourable in a certain number of cases, but cases 

 are met with which do not respond to anv treatment and terminate 

 fatally. 



Diagnosis. — This can be made only by cultural methods. 



Treatment. — Potassium iodide should be tried in all cases, but 

 its action in a large number of them is very uncertain or completely 

 negative. It may be given in combination with glycerophosphates. 

 A change of climate is often useful. \ 



j |Bronchohemisporosis. 



General Remarks. — This bronchomycosis has been described by 

 Castellani. The fungus found so far is Hemispora rugosa Castellani, 

 a description of which will be found in Chapter XXXIX., p. 110 8. 



Symptomatology. — The symptoms are very similar to those seen 

 in bronchomoniliasis, and a mild and a severe type of the affection 

 may be distinguished. In the mild type the general condition of 

 the patient is good, there is no fever, and he simply complains of 

 cough. The expectoration is muco-purulent and does not contain 

 blood. The physical examination of the chest is negative or reveals 

 only a few rales. The severe type closely resembles phthisis. The 

 patient becomes emaciated, there is hectic fever, and the expec- 

 toration may be bloody. The physical examination may reveal 

 patches of dulness, fine crepitations, pleural rubbing. 



Complications. — The affection may be complicated with a 

 tonsillitis, caused by the same fungus and characterized by the 

 presence of yellowish or greyish patches; at other times the 

 tonsillitis is the primary lesion. 



Treatment. — Potassium iodide seems to be more efficacious in this 

 condition than in bronchomoniliasis. It should be given in lo-grain 

 doses, well diluted in water or milk, twice or four times daily. 

 Glycerophosphates and balsamics are useful. 



Tea-Factory Cough. 



This affection described by Castellani in 1910, is common in 

 Ceylon. It is probably a form of broncho-mycosis. Coolies 



