BRONCHITIS, OR INFLAMMATION OF THE AIR-TUBES WHICH LEAD TO THE LUNGS.
Treatment.—In all cases of catarrh or bronchitis, means should be used to soften the glands and muscles of the neck. Warm steam should be applied to the nostrils and inhaled into the lungs. Medicines taken into the stomach, cannot reach the difficulty. Much may be gained by snuffing a little warm salt water up through the nostrils. When there is great distress from mucus in the air-tubes, about three grains of pulverized ipecac should be added to about a gill of hot water, and the steam inhaled into the lungs. All inhalants should be boiling hot, and used repeatedly for an hour or more. Inhaling cold air after sitting in a close atmosphere, will induce an attack of bronchial inflammation, or thickening of the air-tubes, in persons of all classes and conditions. Persons who are liable to frequent attacks of bronchitis, are apt to imagine that their lungs are affected, since it prevents a free use of the voice in singing or speaking audibly. I will repeat that this complaint generally terminates with a loss of tone in the lung substance, caused by the failure of the tubes to supply them with oxygen or air; notwithstanding, one may live on for years with it. Sudden changes of air, food or medicines that contract or depress muscular or nervous vitality, may cause suffocation and death at any moment.
When there is much cough present in chronic cases, inhalations of tar, pine bark, or roasted coffee, are beneficial. I never derived any benefit from the use of preparations containing camphor, in the treatment of diseases of the air-passages; but have always succeeded with remedies that moisten, soothe, and warm.