NATURE OF THE DISEASE.
As to the exact pathological condition in this malady, opinions differ. Some physicians consider it a disease of the nervous system, others, of the blood, others, of the bronchial tubes, while not a few believe it to be dependent upon some disease of the stomach, heart, liver, kidneys, or due to urinary affections, or "female weakness." Respecting all these diseases of special organs, it is evident that any complication, and particularly one that is debilitating or causes irritation of the nervous system will increase its severity. This important fact we keep constantly in view in our treatment, and prescribe remedies to remove all complications.
In heart disease there is often dyspnoea, or difficult breathing, but this is not of the nature of asthma, or phthisic. The condition of the lungs is readily understood. There being an obstruction to the free passage of the blood through the heart, any excessive muscular exertion, or anything, in fact, which increases the action of the heart, is very apt to produce congestion of the lungs, and then the blood becomes surcharged with carbonic acid, which causes increased efforts to take more air into the lungs.
A Nervous Disease. A sudden fright, unfavorable news, grief, loss of property, etc., circumstances which affect the mind and nervous system, almost invariably throw the phthisical into a paroxysm. Nervines are demanded, particularly if the case be a chronic one, and we see that they are carefully and properly prepared and supplied, and in such a form as to be exactly fitted to the temperament and constitution.
POPULAR REMEDIES USED FOR SELF-TREATMENT OF ASTHMA.
There are numerous remedies that may be used to relieve paroxysms of asthma. Among them we will notice a few that are most frequently employed by the profession. They can be easily and inexpensively prepared by any patient or druggist:
1. Equal parts of the tinctures of lobalis capsicum and skunk cabbage root. Dose.—Take a half teaspoonful in a little water every ten or fifteen minutes until relieved.
NOTE.—This is an antispasmodic and relaxant. In considerable quantities it will produce sickness at the stomach and perhaps vomiting. It should not be used when there is disease of the heart.
2. Chloroform. Dose.—A small quantity (say thirty drops), may be poured upon a handkerchief or napkin, held about one inch from the nostrils and the vapor inhaled. It is quite unnecessary to use this until insensibility follows; in fact, such an effect would be hazardous to life in the hands of the inexperienced.
3. Sulphuric ether. Dose.—The same as No. 2, and with the same precaution. Either of them should be used promptly upon the beginning of the paroxysm.