In the more mild form of bronchitis the symptoms develop rather gradually and the first noticed may be a coryza or nasal catarrh. As the bronchi become involved there will be a slight rise in the temperature, noticeably increased respiration, and a slight cough. There may be restlessness, anorexia and vomiting, usually caused by swallowing the mucous that is coughed up.
Rales are heard over the entire chest. These appear very early and may remain for some little time after all other symptoms have disappeared. It is very common to hear coarse rales with a very slight cold in the young infant.
If the condition is permitted to go for some little time without adjustments the symptoms become more severe. The cough becomes more serious, there is dyspnea, increased fever and a moderate degree of prostration which increases as time goes on. During inspiration the nostrils will be noticeably dilated. In most cases there is great difficulty in nursing. In the later stages there is usually great prostration. The cry becomes feeble and the cough weak, there is rapid superficial respiration and feeble pulse. The facial expression is dull and there may be stupor and apathy. The attacks may come on very suddenly and terminate fatally in a very short time. Therefore it is necessary for action from the adjustments to be obtained as quickly as possible.
Equation and Family
The subluxation at lower cervical or upper dorsal region interferes with the transmission of mental impulses to the bronchi. The function primarily involved is motor which results in a relaxation of the muscular walls of the capillaries. This produces hyperemia and congestion from which there is an exudate of mucous. At first it is clear, but with normal heat applied to this exudate it soon becomes mucopurulent. This gives calorific plus, therefore the equation for the mucous membrane lining the bronchi is calorific plus (C+) with N.C.R. for the mucopurulent discharge. The equation for the general fever is C+. The family is fever and degenerations.
The major adjustment for acute catarrhal bronchitis is L.C. or Up.D. with K.P. In some cases CP. will be included in the combination.
CHRONIC BRONCHITIS
It can readily be seen that chronic bronchitis would not often be found with the very young infant. In early childhood it is more often found and frequently follows the acute attack or is the sequel of measles, influenza or whooping-cough. Unhygienic surroundings may tend to influence and exaggerate the condition.
Symptoms
There is little or no fever, although the cough is bad; there is very little if any dyspnea. The condition becomes worse during cold weather, and the patient is usually subject to attacks of acute bronchitis. There may be no constitutional symptoms and the general health of the patient may not be greatly affected.