Bronchial Asthma.

Otago Witness, Issue 2892, 18 August 1909, Page 76

Bronchial Asthma.

The exact nature of asthma is a matter about which doctors are by no means agreed, but all are agreed that* in every case of asthma there is a strong nerve element. Families, the members of which are especially liable to this disease, are nearly always such as possess unstable and irritable I'ervous systems. Bofch men and women are likely to be attacked, though men are more frequently attacked than women. The most curious circumstances are sufficient to bring on an attack in a person liable. Some people are free from asthma while living in the town, yet have an attack whenever they go into the country. Any violent excitement is apt to bring on an attack in certain people. Digestive disturbance, again, is not an infrequent cause. Another common cause is provided by various disorders of the nose. The onset of an attack of asthma is usuallysudden. It frequently occurs at night. A person who goes to bed apparently well may wake up a few hours later gasping for breath, with a feeling of great oppression at the chest. The face is pale or purple, and the expression anxious. The patient makes violent efforts to draw air into the lunge, 'but little enters. The act of expiration is prolonged and wheezy. This condition of spasm may last but an hour, or it may last for many hours. If prolonged the effect on the patient becomes alarmTng. His pulse becomes quick, his extremities cold, and his face may become covered -.with sweat. Relief usually comes almost as suddenly as the attack. A paroxysm of coughing usually occurs, and this is followed by a sound eleop. There is always more or less cough, generally of a spasmodic nature. Asthma usually begins to attack its victims early in life, and repeated attacks produce permanent effect- on the air cells of the lungs. These lose their elasticity, amid the condition known as emphysema is produced. The treatment of an attack of asthma consists principally in the inhalation of the fumes given off by various burning herbs. Stramonium, lobelia, and nitre paper (made by dipping blotting paper in a strong solution of saltpetre and drying) are the principal substances burnt for the purpose. Many people obtain relief by smoking an ordinary pipe of tobacco. Too much attention oannot be paid to diet. Persons subject to asthma should avoid such indigestible foods as pastry, cake, pork, and veal. Their meals should be small, and regular exercise should be taken.