The Science of Therapeutics - Classical Homeopathy Online

Full text of "The Science of Therapeutics: According to the Principles of Homeopath...Page 205 of 653the lungs by which a portion of this organ is rendered inaccessibto the respiratory process ; it may accompany atrophy or infiltration of portions of the lungs ; it most commonly accompanies chanof structure which at the same time superinduce a diminution ofthe volume of the lungs. This form of emphysema can scarcelybe regarded as anything morbid and will never become an objectof treatment ; it is termed vicarious emphysema. Vesicular emphysema has an entirely different origin and is of much higherimportance; in a practical point it is essential that this originbe known. We do not deem it necessary to recite the differenttheories regarding the origin of emphysema ; we simply give whatwe consider the most correct explanation. Emphysema may becaused by morbid conditions of the air-cells which impair theirelasticity more or less. This defect may arise in cases of violenbronchitis, pneumonia, etc., in which case the air-cells are affesimilarly to the bronchia in diffuse bronchiectasia. This accountfor the frequent occurrence of emphysema in chronic bronchia^catarrh Emphysema may likewise have another and diffcrtmode of origin. In consequence of an excessive but otherwist>entirely normal exercise of the respiratory functions; or in consequence of the respiration being obstructed by organs situated oside of the thorax, the air-cells may become dilated to such anextreme degree that little by little they lose the power of resumtheir former size, precisely in the same manner as an Indiabag that is often and excessively dilated, loses its elasticity.In the former manner emphysema occurs principally in catarrhsof the bronchial mucous membrane, more especially in chroniccatarrh with marked hypertrophy of the mucous membrane, andin an almost normal manner in old age where the walls of the aircells, like most other tissues, lose their elasticity more and moIn the second manner, emphysema is caused by excessive exertions in running, dancing, lifting, playing on wind-instruments,obstructed expiration by affections of the larynx, the closing ofbronchial tubes, paralysis of the diaphragm, owing to which theexpiratory act is performed in an incomplete manner ; by occupations which leave one part of the lungs in a continual state of ition, Very frequently both modes of origin combine, which isreally always the case if chronic catarrh is sustained by lesserdegrees of emphysema ; at the same time chronic catarrh being anobstacle to respiration, and diminishing the elasticity of the aicells, always increases the existing emphysema.Emphysema Pulmonum. 237Hence the more special etiological causes determining the existenof emphysema are: catarrh of the mucous lining, especially chronicatarrh; various other affections of the lungs, whoopingplaying on wind-instruments, excessive bodily exertions, croup,stenosis of the larynx, paralysis of the diaphragm, tumors of theabdominal viscera, heart-disease, etc.Emphysema may take place in every age, but occurs more particularly among persons beyond the age of fifty. Men are moreliable to it than women, probably for no other reason than becausthey are more exposed to the causes producing it. Some individualhttp://www.archive.org/stream/sciencetherapeu00kafkgoog/sciencetherapeu00kafkgoog_djvu.txt