SECT. III.
Of Diseases in the Breast
Under this head, I mean principally to treat of diseases of the wind-pipe, the lungs, and the pleura, or membrane that lines the cavity of the breast, and encompasses the lungs.
Of the Cough.
A Cough is generally occasioned by a cold; unless it is symptomatic with other inflammatory diseases, or the relict of a heavy sickness; in which case, it is either near a-kin to, or else the consumption itself.
If from a cold, it seldom is deep founded, and generally has its seat in the larynx, or in the wind-pipe; though indeed sometimes in the lungs.
It generally begins first with a tickling in the throat, and occasions a short dry cough; which gradually becomes strong, and is attended with a discharge.
It is surprizing what absurd remedies are sometimes given for the cough; as if they supposed that every thing taken should immediately march at the word of command into the wind-pipe, and there set to work accordingly. Amongst the many celebrated nostrums, spermaceti, or whales fat is remarkably celebrated; it softens the phlegm say they; but in fact, a little fat pork, or hog’s lard will do equally as much good.——The truth of the matter is, the cough proceeds from an obstructed perspiration. When a person gets cold, he generally first feels a snuffling, and obstruction in the nose, then a sore throat or hoarseness, and lastly a cough; all which is a gradual defluxion from the pituitous membrane, which reaches from the cavity of the nose, all down the lungs. Whatever medicines therefore, are capable of yielding benefit, must be calculated to open and remove the obstruction, and promote universal perspiration; whence therefore we find it is impossible to cure one, without the other.—Medicines neither do, nor is it fit they should come immediately farther, than the top of the larynx; for if they happen to come into the wind-pipe, the most innocent medicine would certainly act the part of a poison.
The first indication therefore in a cough, is to promote perspiration; for then nature will repair the respirative organs with the rest.
Let the patient take a draught or two of good sage punch, No. [V]. and thereby promote perspiration; and in order to continue this principal intention, and to assuage the slight inflammation in the throat, which the heavy cough occasions; make the following electuary.
No. XL
Take honey, or sugar dissolved to syrup, two ounces; lemon juice, half an ounce; or elixir of vitriol, two drachmes; sweet oil, one ounce; mix them into a linctus.
Take of this, every half hour, but half a tea spoonful; and swallow it gradually, so that it may as it slides by, do some service to the larynx; and keeping the body all the time in a gentle perspiration. This method is superior to all your nonsensical pectorals, which have nothing but quackery for their foundation; for whatever you may take for the cough, it cannot possibly have any other effect on the part, till the real cause is removed, than barely to touch the larynx; for all goes to the stomach, and undergoes the same chance as your victuals. Therefore strike at the root of the evil; namely, to promote perspiration; and all the rest of the complaints will vanish, in consequence of this principal intention.
Of the Pleurisy, and Peripneumony.
The pleurisy is an inflammation of the lining of the inside of the pectoral cavity and lungs; and the peripneumony an inflammation of the lungs themselves.
These two principal kinds of inflammation have given birth to the names of many other inflammations contiguous to those parts, which I hope to be excused from entering into, as it is of very little signification to the proper treatment of those disorders; for I have often known the most skilful practitioner, to be mistaken of these disorders in his diagnostics, and yet been successful in his cure. The signs of this inflammatory disease, is an acute fixt pain in the breast; on whatever side the disorder is in, with a difficulty of breathing, and frequently attended with a small short dry cough, which however stings the patient like so many daggers. A constant fever attends with all its symptoms; which adds greatly to the patient’s misery.
On the immediate signs of these symptoms, bleeding must be had recourse to; and if the inflammation is great, and the pain pungent, it must be repeated; though with skilful management. Bleeding may be repeated after the first twenty-four hours; yet in general it is needless, and sometimes dangerous; for my own part, I never approved of it; nor have I seen any necessity for it. Perspiration however should be promoted.
If the pain is violent, let the patient use the following medicine.
No. XLI
Take sweet Spirit of Nitre (D) twenty drops; Spirit of Wine and Camphor (A) ten drops; Fever Powder (L) one scruple; mix it up with sugar and water into a draught.
Let the patient take this every six hours; if there is a great nausea at the stomach, a small vomit of twelve grains of Ipecacuanha, (S) may be given first, notwithstanding it is great pain to the patient; and I have often known it productive of great good, and laid the first foundation to a successful cure.
If the pain still continues, twelve drops of liquid laudanum (T) may be added to the above draught; No. [XLI]. If the spirits of the patient is low, give the essential oil of Peppermint (U) to the quantity of three or four, or six drops upon a lump of sugar, either put, into the draught above-mentioned, or give it by itself occasionally.
To the inflamed side, warm cloths may be put wrapt up with a hot made trencher, brick, a bag of sand, or whatever will retain heat; as that will greatly facilitate the internal resolution.
Perspiration is the principal object to be considered in this acute disease, and should therefore be promoted; but every thing forcing that produces profuse sweats should be avoided, as that only encreases the fever.
If the patient is very restless, the fever depressed, and greatly oppressed in respiration, blisters may be applied; but if the patient can do without them, it is much better; as they very often are apt to encrease the inflammation.
Cooling clysters, No. [XXXII]. which at the same time promote urine, is of singular service; and in every respect methods must be taken, as have been directed in fevers, and the ulcerated sore throat; as all these inflammatory diseases are of one nature, and require almost one method of treatment. For farther particulars on this head, see my treatise on diseases of the lungs.