The Science of Therapeutics - Classical Homeopathy Online

Full text of "The Science of Therapeutics: According to the Principles of Homeopath...Page 284 of 653atory movements is concerned, but the friction of the rough surfaces of both pleural laminae against each other is perceived lesfrequently even by the touch. If there is a good deal of effusionthe thoracic wall over it does not vibrate from the voice, whereathis vibration is generally stronger at the borders of the exudatA view of the thorax shows very significant changes. Duringthe presence of a plastic effusion, especially while the pains cothe respiratory movements are much less distinct, and the patientmostly bends over to the affected side. If the exudation is copiothe affected half of the thorax enlarges in size; the intercostalspaces expand, and even become entirely eftaced or bulge beyond tribs, and the respiratory movements are either very slight or elsentirely suppressed.In measuring the thorax, the increase in its dimensions enablesus to determine with great correctness the presence of a copiouseffusion.Another important diagnostic sign are the displacements of theheart and liver occasioned by the presence of a large amount ofeffusion ; the return of these organs to their normal localitiesevidence of the fact that the effusion is decreasing.As regards the course of pleuritis, we have already stated in pre882 Diseases of the Pleura,vious paragraphs, all that is needful to observe on this subject.a general rule, this disease comes less than any other within thepossibilities of a reliable prognosis. It may have a scarcely pertible beginning and, in its progress, assume a most malignant foror else, from an exceedingly malignant and acute disease at theoutset, it may run its course rapidly and completely to perfectrecovery. These results cannot be determined beforehand ; on thisaccount, pleuritis has to be treated with great care, and every tcalculated to favor the progress of the disease, or to induce relhas to be carefully avoided.The terminations of this disease are likewise various. The plastiform always leads to adhesions which, however, are seldom veryextensive and do not interfere with the subsequent enjoyment of ^good health. It is usually the case, however, that afterwards thepatients, during unusual bodily exertions, or during every triflicatarrh, complain of pain in the locality where the adhesions exithis pain is, however, without any sort of importance. If the exudation is very copious, it may obstinately resist every effort oforganism to reabsorb the fluid and, by this means, a liability torelapses may be established. Or else pus may form ; even then, acomplete reabsorption may doubtless take place, but the pus likewise readily escapes externally, or into the lungs and abdominalcavity. In the former case, a thoracic fistula most commonly setsin, which generally terminates fatally in consequence of slow consumption, and very seldom heals in a very short time. The escapeof the pus into the lungs and abdominal cavity is likewise dangerous, and holds out little hope of a complete recovery. An excessof serous exudation generally shows very little disposition to bereabsorbed, and very usually terminates fatally after a lingeringhttp://www.archive.org/stream/sciencetherapeu00kafkgoog/sciencetherapeu00kafkgoog_djvu.txt