PNEUMONIA
Aside from digestive disturbances, the most common incoördinations affecting infants are those involving the lungs, and especially as a sequel following the so-called infectious dis-eases. The different types of pneumonia are named according to the area of the lungs involved and the nature of the changes affecting them. The two general divisions are bronchopneumonia and lobar pneumonia. These two principal groups are divided into several subdivisions according to the particular pathology and stage of development. It is not of vital importance to the chiropractor to know just what part of the lungs or bronchi is involved or the nature of the pathology. He must, however, be sufficiently familiar with symptoms to correctly determine the zone in which the incoördination is located. In bronchopneumonia the entire bronchial wall of the small bronchi is affected, while in lobar pneumonia the bronchitis is usually very superficial and the terminal bronchi and alveoli are filled with a fibrant exudate. An entire lobe may be involved or the inflammation may involve only part of a lobe. Very often the two varieties, bronchopneumonia and lobar pneumonia will be present in the same case, one variety affecting one part of the lung, while the other variety will affect another part of the lung. In children by far the larger percentage of cases of pneumonia is of the bronchopneumonia type; however, as has been stated, the type of pneumonia is of little importance, but the location of the zone or zones is of vital importance.
Bronchopneumonia occurs most often during the winter months, being more prevalent in late winter or early spring. One or both lungs may be involved, but the most common seat of the inflammation is the lower left lobe, or if in front only, the right apex. The local subluxation producing this condition will be found to be the second or third dorsal vertebra, which is producing the pressure upon the nerves and interfering with the transmission of mental impulses. As a result there is a relaxation of the muscular fibers of the blood vessels which results in a distention of these vessels in the affected area. The seat of the catarrhal inflammation is in the mucous membrane of the large and small bronchi.