Phthisic Spasmodic Breathing.
This is a disease characterized by paroxysms of difficult breathing, and is due to contraction of the smaller bronchial tubes, brought about by spasms of the bronchial muscular fibres. It is a difficulty reflex in character, that is transmitted from a disturbance of a nerve center elsewhere. Often it is associated with valvular disease of the heart, and it should always be regarded as a constitutional malady and not one confined to the respiratory organs. Attacks may be caused by over eating - or over exertion, irritation at some point as in the stomach or bladder or upon the skin, or in the rectum by constipation, indulgence in highly seasoned food, liquors or indigestible foods. Sweets of all kinds are also provocative of attacks in those disposed to asthma[1].[1] There is a fairly recent study suggesting that a diet rich in sugar can increase the occurrence of allergic inflammations.
Symptoms. — An attack always comes on suddenly, although often preceded by an oppressed sensation in the chest and a wheezing which is annoying. As a rule the patient awakens in the night feeling as though being smothered. He can't get his breath and sits up or gets out of bed, throws his head back and opens his mouth gasping for air, the shoulders drawn up. The muscles of the neck and head and over the ribs are rigid, while the muscles of the abdomen which assist breathing are acting violently. The chest is enlarged, as well as the abdomen. There seems to be a stagnation of air in the lungs. In severe cases the extremities are cold and the face pale, the eyes having a terrorized expression, and the surface covered with perspiration. A fit of asthma may last a few minutes, two or three hours, a whole night, several days or for weeks. It is very rarely immediately fatal. As an attack passes away a slight cough commences and there is expectoration of mucus — sometimes frothy, sometimes viscid or in the form of little dark balls; and in severe cases streaked with blood. Recovery from the attack may be gradual, or it may terminate as suddenly as it commenced, especially if appropriate treatment is pursued.
It is important to distinguish true asthma from the disturbance of breathing caused by heart troubles. The difficult breathing connected with organic heart disease may likewise come on in paroxysms, but it is of a gasping and panting character and very shallow and there is no wheezing sound. The heart is likewise greatly disturbed and the pulse usually weak and irregular.
Treatment. — During a paroxysm of asthma an abundance of fresh air must be supplied and all tight clothing loosened. Dropping a little rosin on a hot stove will often cause relief by its vapor being inhaled[2]. The most effectual remedy to be used is the following:
Take:Nausea may follow the use of these drops, but such will only hasten the relief.
Mix. Take five drops in water every ten minutes until relief is obtained.
- Tincture of Lobelia ... 5 drachms.
- Fluid extract Cramp Bark ... 2 drachms.
- Essence of Ginger ... 1 drachm.
Asthmatic persons must avoid excesses of all kinds and use plain but nourishing diet. Usually it will not be found difficult to locate the disordered organ which is the actual seat of the disturbance, and its appropriate treatment may lessen the severity of attack and perhaps entirely obliterate them. As a rule the kidney's must be carefully watched and the bowels never allowed to become constipated. Very little encouragement can be given those who have seemingly inherited the condition, beyond the fact that it is not incompatible with a long life.
Asthma Of Hay Fever. — This is an entirely different malady from ordinary asthma, described above. Its causes, symptoms and treatment will be found in the article on Hay Fever.
[2] The vapours from rosin-based soldering fluxes are an asthma risk.