-.Zti*
OF TH E
•School of Medicine
i.
defaced, while in the possession of^a mem* ber, he shall be finable at the discretion of the Library Directors', or, at his option, may furnish such a copy, or edition of the same work as shall be acceptable to said directors.
i VJ c If.a,.ly ,nfmber on returning a Imok shall find that there has been no applica- tion lor it while in his possession, and
i cTcry uesci ipuon Belonging to tlie library. &
XI. Scarce and valuable books, the loss of winch it would be difficult to repair, shall be marked in the catalogue with an asterisk, to indicate that they will not be let out of the library without the approba- tion of two of the directors. In the event of the librarian being a director, he is un- derstood not to be included.
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L
*J
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CAREY & LEA
HAVE RECENTLY PUBLISHED THE FOLLOWING
VALUABLE WORKS.
I. HISTORY OF ENGLAND,
Bi Sib JAMES MACKINTOSH, Noll.
BfelHS A lMIHTlON HI
The Cabinet Ilistory of the British Islands,
r.i; Mi \(, HISTORY of ENGLAND. By Sir James Mackintosh, Vol. I. " Our anticipations of this volume were certainh verj highly raised, and un- likesuch anticipations in general, the) have not been disappointed. A philo- lophical spirit, a nervous style, and a full knowledge of the subji ot, acquired by considerable research into the works of preceding chroniclers and historians, eminent!; distinguish this popular abridgment, and cannot fail to recommend it to universal approbation. In continuing his work M he lias begun, Sir Jama Mackintosh will confer a great benefit on his country."— Lund. Lit. Gazette. BISTORT of SCOTLAND. By Sir Wai.teii Scott, 2 vols. HISTORY of IRELAND. By Thomas Mooes, 1 vol.
II. HISTORY of SCOTLAND. By Sir Walter
Scott, Hart, in 2 vols. 12mo.
1 he History of Scotland, by Sir Walter Scott, we do not hesitate to declare, will be, if possible, more < xtensively read, than the most popular work of fiction, by the same prolific author, and for this obvious reason: it combines much of the brilliant colouring of the Ivanhoe pictures of by-pone manners, and all the graceful facility of style and picturesqueness of description ofbii other charm- ing romances, with a minute fidelity to the tacts of history.and a searching scru- tiny into their authenticity and relative value, which might put to the blush Mr. Hume and other professed historians. Such is the magic charm of Sir Walter Scott's pen, it his only to touch the simplest incident of every day life, and it Starts up invested with all the interest of a scene of romance; and yet such is his fidelity to the text of nature, that the knights, and ecrfs, and collared fools with whom' his inventive genius has peopled so many volumes, are regarded by us as not mere creations of fancy, but as real flesh and blood existences, with all the . feelings and errors of common place humanity."— Lit. Gaz.
ILL CLARENCE 5 a Tide of our own Times. By the Author of Redwood, Hope Leslie, &c. In two volumes.
IV. CAMDEN; a Tale of the South. In two Vols. V- ATLANTIC SOUVENIR,
FOR 1831.
Embellishments.— \. Frontispiece. The Shipwrecked Family, engraved by Ellis, from a picture by Burnet — 2. Shipwreck of Fort RougeCalais, engrav- ed by Ellis, from a picture by Stanfield.— 3. Infancy, engraved by Kelly, from a picture by Sir Thomas Lawrence.—- 1. Lady Jane Grey, engraved by' Kelly, from a picture by Leslie.— 5. Three Score and Ten, engraved by Kearny, from ■ picture by Burnet.— 6. The Hour of Rest, engraved by Kelly,' from a picture by Burnet.— 7. The Minstrel, engraved by Ellis, from a picture by Leslie.— 8. Arcadia, engraved by Kearny, from a picture by Cockerell. — °. The Fisherman's Return, engraved by Nagle. from a picture by Collins.— 10. The Marchioness of Carmarthen, granddaughter of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, engraved by Ill- man and Pillbrow from a picture by Mrs. Mir.— 11. Morning among the Hills, engraved by Hatch, from a picture by Doughty. — 12. Los Musicos, engraved by Ellis, from a picture bv Watteau. (Heart] ready.)
VI. The POETICAL WORKS of CAMPBELL, ROGERS, MONTGOMERY, LAMBE, and KIRKE WHITE,
beautifullv printed, 1vol. 8vo. to match Bvron, Scott, Moore, &c.
1
2 Valuable Works
VII. SKETCHES of CHINA, with Illustrations
from Original Drawings. By W. W. Wood, in 1 vol. 12mo.
" The residence of the author in China, during the years 1826-7-8 and 9, has enabled him to collect much very curious information relative to this singular people, which he has embodied in his work; and will serve to gratify the curi- osity of many whose time or dispositions do not allow them to seek, in the volu- minous writings of the Jesuits and early travellers, the information contained in the present work. The recent discussion relative to the renewal of the East India Company's Charter, has excited much interest; and among ourselves, the desire to be further acquainted with the subjects of ' the Celestial Empire' has been considerably augmented."
VIII. FALKLAND, a Novel, by the Author of Pelham, &c. 1 vol. 12mo.
IX. MEMOIR on the TREATMENT of VENE- REAL DISEASES WITHOUT MERCURY, employed at the Military Hospital of the Val-de-Grace. Translated from the French of H. M. J. Desruelles, M. D. &c. To which is added, Observations by G. J. Guthrie, Esq. and various documents, showing" the results of this Mode of Treatment, in Great Bri- tain, France, Germany, and America, 1 vol. 8vo.
X. PRINCIPLES of MILITARY SURGERY,
comprising- Observations on the Arrangements, Police, and Practice of Hospitals, and on the History, Treatment, and Anomalies of Variola and Syphilis; illustrated with cases and dissections. By John- Hexnex, M. D. F. R. S. E. Inspector of Military Hospitals — first American from the third London edi- tion, with Life of the Author, by his son, Dr. Joux Hexxex.
"The value of Dr. Hennen's work is too well appreciated to need any praise of ours. We wwe only required then, to bring the third edition b. fore' the no- tice of our readers; and having done this, we shall merely add, that the volume merits a place in every library, and that no military surgeon ought to be without it."— Medical Gazette.
" It is a work of supererogation for us to eulogize Dr. Hennen's Military Sur- gery; there can be no second opinion on its merits. It is indispensable to the mi- litary and naval surgeon."— London Medical and Surgical Journal.
XL PATHOLOGICAL and PRACTICAL RE- SEARCHES on DISEASES of the STOMACH, the IN- TESTINAL CANAL, the LIVER, and other VISCERA of the ABDOMEN. By .Unix Arercromrif., M. D.
" We have now closed a very long review of a very valuable work, and al- though we have endeavoured to condense into our pages a great mass of impor- tant matter, we feel that our author has not yet received justice."— Med. Chir. Review.
XII. A COLLECTION of COLLOQUIAL
PHRASES on every Topic necessary to maintain Conversation, arranged under different heads, with numerous remarks on the peculiar pronunciation and use of various words — the whole so disposed as considerably to facilitate the acquisition of a correct pronunciation of the French. By A. Boluar. One vol. 18mo.
XIII. A SELECTION of ONE HUNDRED
PERRIN'S FABLES, accompanied by a Key, containing- the text, a literal and free translation, arranged in such a manner as to point out the difference between the French and the English idiom, also a figured pronunciation of the French, ac- cording to the best French works extant on the subject; the
Published by Carey fy Lea. 3
I by a short treatise on (he sounds of the French language, compared with those of the English.
XIV. The First Eight Books of the ADVENTURES of TELEMACHUS, accompanied by a Key to facilitate the
tlation of the work.
XV. A TREATISE on PATHOLOGICAL ANA-
IV, b\ Wixxiam E. HoitsKii, M. 1>. Adjunct Professor of Anatomy "in the University of Pennsylvania.
onscientiously commend it to the members of the profession, as a
satisfactory, interesting, mxl hutructive view of the subjects discussed, and
tl adapted to aid them in forming a correct appreciation of the dueased
called on i«j relieve.' I Journal <>J the Medical
. 'a New Edition ofa TREATISE of SPECIAL
and GEN EH \l. ANATOMY, by the same author, 2 vols. 8vo.
XVII. COXE'S AMERICAN DISPENSATORY,
containing the Natural, Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Medical History of the different substances employed in medicine, to- gether with the operations of Pharmacy illustrated and ex- plained, according to the principles of modern Chemistry. To which are added Toxicological and other tables, the prescrip- tions for Patent .Medicines, and various Miscellaneous Prepa- rations. Eighth Edition, Improved and greatly Enlarged. By John Rxsmab Coxt, M. 1). Professor of Materia Medica and Pharmacy in the University of Pennsylvania. In 1 vol. 8vo.
XVIII. An ESSAY o'n REMITTENT and INTER- MITTENT DISK ASES, including genetically Marsh Fever and Neuralgia — comprising under the former, various anomalies, obscurities, and consequences, and under a new systematic view of the latter, treating of tic douloureux, sciatica, head- ache, ophthalmia, tooth-ache, palsy, and many other modes and consequences of this generic disease; by John- Macccuoch, If. D., F. R. 8. fcc &c. Physician in Ordinary to his Royal Highness Prince Leopold, of Saxe Cobourg.
" Dr. Maeculloeh is a great philosopher and logician. His views are calculated to do mneti good. We bare therefore taken great ]>;;in-> to concentrate and dif- fuse them widely through the profession. Nothing but a strong conviction that the work before ns contains a multitude of valuable gi ms. could have induced us rtow so much labour on the review. In i\ ndenng Dr. Macculloch'a work more accessible to the profession, we are conscious that we are doing the state same sen ice.M— Med. Cnir. Review.
"We most Strongly recommend Dr. Maceulloch's treatise to the attention of our medical brethn n, as presenting a most valuable man of information, on a _-uosf important subjt ct."— Am. Med. and Phut. Journal.
XIX. WISTAR'S ANATOMY, fifth edition, 2 vols. 8vo.
XX. The ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY, and DIS- EASES of the TEETH. By Thomas Bkli, F. R. S., F. L. S. ice. In 1 vol. 8vo. with plates.
11 Mr. Bell has evidently endeavoured to construct a work of reference for the practitioner, and a text-book for the student, containing a ' plain and practical digest of the information at present possessed on the subject, and results of the author's own investigations and experience.' "»••** \\\. mast now take leave of Mr. Bell, whose work we have no doubt will become a class book on the im- portant subject of dental $\iY%vv\."—Mcdico-C/iirurgical Revit-ii:
XXI. MORALS of PLEASURE, illustrated by stories designed for Young Persons, in 1 vol. 12mo.
4 Valuable Works
" The style of the stories is no less remarkable for its ease and gracefulness, than for the delicacy of its humour, and its beautiful and at times affecting' sim- plicity. A lady must have written it-for it is from the bosom of woman alone, that such tenderness of feeling and such delicacy of sentiment— such sweet les- sons ot morality—such deep and pure streams of virtue and piety, gush forth to cleanse the juvenile mind from ihe grosser impurities of our nature! and prepare the young for lives of usefulness here, and happiness hereafter. We advise pa- rents of young families to procure this little book-assuring them that it will nave a tendency to render their offspring as sweet as innocent, as innocent as gay, as gay as happy. It is dedicatad by the author ' to her young Bedford tnenus, Anna and Mana Jay'— but who this fair author is, we cannot even guess. H e would advise some sensible educated bachelor to find out."— N. T. Com. Adv.
XXII. The PRACTICE of PHYSIC, by W. P. Dewees, M.D. Adjunct Professor of Midwifery in the University of Pennsylvania, 2 vols. 8vo.
The profession need not be informed how much a work like that now pub- lished was wanted. It has been the particular object of the author to endeavour to accommodate the mode of managing the diseases of which he treats to the many pathological discoveries recently made, both in this countrv and in Europe; and having also availed himself of his long experience, he trusts that his work will remove many of the embarrassments experienced bv practitioners.
XXIII. DEWEES on the DISEASES of CHIL- DREN. Third edition. In 8vo.
The objects of this work are, 1st, to teach those who have the charge of chil~ dren, either as parent or guardian, the most approved methods of securing and! improving their physical powers. This is attempted by pointing out the du- ties which the parent or the guardian owes for this purpose, to tins interesting, but helpless class of beings, and the manner by which their duties shall be ful- filled: And 2d, to render available a long experience to these objects of our af- fections, when they become diseased. In attempting this, the author has avoided as much as was possible, "technicality;" and has given, if he does not flatter him- self too much, to each disease of which he treats, its appropriate and designat- ing characters, with a fidelity that will prevent any two being confounded, to- gether with the best mode of treating them, that either his own experience or that of others has suggested.
XXIV. DEWEES on the DISEASES of FEMALES.
Second edition with additions. In 8vo.
XXV. DEWEES'S SYSTEM of MIDWIFERY.
Fourth edition, with additions.
XXVI. CHAPMAN'S THERAPEUTICS and MA. TERIA MEDICA. Fifth edition, with additions.
XXVII. The ATLANTIC SOUVENIR, for 1 830, in elegant fancy leather binding-, and with numerous embellish- ments by the best Artists.
The publishers have spared neither pains nor expense in endeavouring to render this, their fifth annual volume, still more worthy the high degree of fa- vour which its predecessors have enjoyed. All the impressions being from steel render them equally perfect, and the binding being a fancy leather, the whole will be rendered more permanent. In the list of Authors will be found many of the most distinguished writers in this country.
A few copies remain unsold of the ATLANTIC SOUVENIR, a Christmas and New Year's Present for 1827, 1828, and 1829, with numerous embellishments bv the best Artists.
XXVIII. A CHRONICLE of the CONQUEST of
GRENADA, by Wasitixgtox Irvixg, Esq. in 2 vols.
" On the whole, this work will sustain the high fame of Washington Irving. It fills a blank in the historical library which ought not to have remained sb long a blank. The language throughout is at once chaste and animated; and the narrative may be said, like Spencer's Fairy Queen, to present one long gal- lery of splendid pictures. Indeed, we know no pages from which the artist is more likely to derive inspiration, nor perhaps are there many incidents in lite- rary history more surprising than that this antique and chivalrous story should have been for the first time told worthily by the pen of an American and a re* publican." — London Literary Gazette*
Published by Carey «$• Lea. 5
Recently published new Editions of the following works by the .same. Author,
Tin: SKETCH BOOK, 2 vols. 12 ma
KNICKERBOCKER'S HISTORY of NEW YORK, 2 vols. 12mo.
BRACEBRIDGE HALL, 2 vols. 12mo.
TALES of a TRAVELLER, 2 vols. 12mo.
XXIX. NEUMAN'S SPANISH and ENGLISH DICTIONARY, new Edition.
XXX. The WISH-TON-WISH, by the Author of the Spv, Pioneers, Rxa Royxb, &c. in 2 vols. Umo.
u We can conceive few periods better calenlaa d to offer a promising field to the novelist Mian that which these pages illustrate; — the noingnng of w ildt H ad- venture » ith the most plodding industry — the severe spirit of the religion of the first American lettlen — the feelings of aoux hold and home at variance with all earner ataooiationa of country — the magnificence of the ieenery by which they ntrrotmded — their neighbourhood to that most pietnroqoe and extraordi- nary ofneople we call savages; — these, lurelr, are materials for the novelist, and in Sir. Cooper's hands they nave lost none of their in ten st. We shall not attempt to detail the narrative, but only say it is well worthy of the high reputation of its author. All the more serious scenes are worked an to the highest pitch of excitement; if any where we have to complain of aught like failure, it is in the lighter parts, and some of the minor details, which are occasionally spun out too much."— London Literary Gazette.
': Editions of the following Works by the same Author. The RED ROVER, in 2 vols. 12mo. The SPY, 2 vols. 12mo. The PIONEERS, 2 vols. 12mo. The PILOT, a Tale of the Sea, 2 vols. 12mo. LIONEL LINCOLN, or the LEAGUER of BOSTON, 2 vols. The LAST of the MOHICANS, 2 vols. 12mo. The PRAIRIE, 2 vols. 12mo.
XXXI. A TOUR in AMERICA, by Basil Hall, Captain, R. N. in 2 vols. 12mo.
XXXII. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY, or NA- TURAL HISTORY of BIRDS inhabiting the UNITED STATES, by Coari.es Luciax Boxaparte; designed as a continuation of Wilson's Ornithology, vols. I., II. and HI.
*#* Gentlemen who possess Wilson, and are desirous of ren- dering the work complete, are informed that the edition of this work is very small, and that but a very limited number of copies remain unsold.
XXXI II. The AMERICAN QUARTERLY RE- VIEW, No. XV. Contents.— The Gulistan of Sadi.— Napoleon and Bourienne. — Anthon's Horace. — Falkland and Paul Clif- ford.— Tanner's Indian Narrative. — Dramatic Literature. — British Debate concerning Mexico. — Sunday Mails. — Life of Sir Thomas Munro. — Fanatical Guides. — Terms, Jive dollars per annum.
XXXIV. The AMERICAN JOURNAL of the ME- DICAL SCIENCES, No. XII. for August, 1830. Among the Collaborators of this work are Professors Bigelow, Channing, Chapman, Coxe, Davidge, De Butts, Dewees, Dickson, Dud-
!•
6 Valuable Works
ley, Francis, Gibson, Godman, Hare, Henderson, Horner, Hosack, Jackson, Macneven, Mott, Mussey, Physick, Potter, Sewall, Warren, and Worthington ; Drs. Daniell, Emerson, Fearn, Griffith, Hays, Hayward, Ives, Jackson, King-, Moultrie, Spence, Ware, and Wright. — Terms, Jive dollars per annum.
XXXV. EVANS'S MILLWRIGHT and MIL- LER'S GUIDE. New edit, with additions, by Dr. T. P. Jones.
XXXVI. HUTIN'S MANUAL of PHYSIO- LOGY, in 12mo.
XXXVII. HISTORICAL, GEOGRAPHICAL, and STATISTICAL AMERICAN ATLAS, folio.
XXXVIII. MANUAL of MATERIA MEDICA and PHARMACY. By H.M. Edwards, M.D. andP.VAVAssEtJR, M. D. comprising a Concise Description of the Articles used in Medicine; their Physical and Chemical Properties; the Bo- tanical Characters of the Medicinal Plants; the Formulae for the Principal Officinal Preparations of the American, Parisian, Dublin, Edinburgh, 8cc. Pharmacopoeias; with Observations on the Proper Mode of Combining and Administering Remedies. Translated from the French, with numerous Additions and Corrections, and adapted to the Practice of Medicine and to the Art of Pharmacy in the United States. By Joseph Togno, M. D. Member of the Philadelphia Medical Society, and E. Durand, Member of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy.
" It contains all the pharmaceutical information that the physician can desire, and in addition, a larger mass of information, in relation to the properties, &c.
of the different articles and preparations employed in medicine, than any of the dispensatories, and we think will entirely supersede all these publications in the library of the physician" — Am. Joum. of the Medical Sciences.
XXXIX. An EPITOME of the PHYSIOLOGY, GENERAL ANATOMY, and PATHOLOGY of BICHAT, by Thomas Henderson, M. D. Professor of the Theory and Prac- tice of Medicine in Columbia College, Washington City. 1 vol. 8vo.
'" The epitome of Dr. Henderson ought and must find a place in the library physician desirous of useful knowledge for himself, or of being instru-
mental in imparting it to others, whose studies he is expected to superintend.-'- Meir
of erery physician desirous mental in imparting it to otl North American Medical and Surgical Journal, No. 15.
XL. ADDRESSES DELIVERED on VARIOUS
PUBLIC OCCASIONS, by John D. Godman, M, D. late Professor of Natural History to the Franklin Institute, Profes- sor of Anatomy, &c. in Rutgers College, &c. &c. With an Appendix, containing a Brief Explanation of the Injurious Effects of Tight Lacing upon the Organs and Functions of Respiration, Circulation, Digestion, &c. 1 vol. 8vo.
XLI. ELLIS' MEDICAL FORMULARY. The Medical Formulary, being a collection of prescriptions de- rived from the writings and practice of many of the most emi- nent physicians in America and Europe. To which is added an Appendix, containing the usual dietetic preparations and antidotes for poisons. The whole accompanied with a few brief pharmaceutic and medical observations. By Ben jam in Ellis, M. D. Professor of Materia Medica and Pharmacy in the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. 2d edition, with additions.
Published by Carey £ Lea. 7
u A small ami v< r\ mm Jul volume lias been ivcmily putmssV d in tliii ii'
■ ill. Medical Formulary.' W< beJien that this rohnne will meet with a cordial welcome from the medical [inblic. We would especially ivcunnm nd it to our brethren in distant parti of the country, whose insulated situation- may prevent them from li tvine access to the man) authorities which hare been con- sulted in arranging mutenals for this work."— PhU, Med. and Plnjs. Jour.
ALII. ELEMENTS ol PHYSICS, or NATU- RAL PHILOSOPHY, GENERAL and MEDICAL, explained
independently of TECHNICAL M vnii.M ATlCS, and con- taining- New Disquisitions and Practical Suggestions. By Nkil Aumitt, M. I). First American from the third London edition, with additions, by l<\\* ELiTS, M. 1).
*„• Of thi-> work four editions have been printed in Midland in a very short tin ie. All the Reviews speak of it m the lii^-liii st terms.
XLI11. LA FAYETTEin AMERICA, in island
1825; or a Journal of a Voyage to the United States, by A. Lkvasski k, Secretary to the General during his journey, 2 vols. 12mo. Translated by John 1). Godxxjt, M. D.
XLIY. Major LONG'S EXPEDITION to the
ROCKY MOUNTAINS. 2 vols. Svo. with 4to Atlas.
XLV. Major LONG'S EXPEDITION to the
SOURCES of the MISSISSIPPI, 2 vols. 8vo. with Plates.
XLVI. NOTIONSof the AMERICANS, by a Tra- velling Bachelor, 2 vols. 12mo. By the Author of the Spy,
Pi (INKERS, &c.
XL VII. The HISTORY of LOUISIANA, particu- larly of the Cession of that Colony to the United States of North America; with an introductory Essay on the Constitu- tion and Government of the United States, by M. de Marbois, Peer of France, translated from the French by an American citizen, in 1 vol. 8vo.
"From the extracts with which we have indulged our readers, thaw will be able to form an idea of the character and spirit of M. de Marbois's performance. The outline which we have drawn, however, does very scanty justice to the me- nu of the whole work, which, we repeat, is in our judgment Use heat that has re- cently appear* d, either at home or abroad, on some of the most important topics of American history and politics. If we do not agree \\ ith all the author's opi- nions, we cannot but accord to him unqualified praise for his fairness, liberality, good judgment, and enlightened t icwa. The volume v ill l>e a treasure among the historical annals of the country. We are glad to know that a translation of it by a competent hand is in progress in Paris, and will speedily be published in the 'United States."— North American Rexieie.
IN THE PRESS, I. The YOUNG LADIES' BOOK, a Manual of Instructive Exercises, Recreations and Pursuits. With nu- merous plates.
This is a work recently published by Messrs. Vizetelly, Branston Sc Co. Lon- don, with upwards of seven hundred embellishments, engraved in a superior n wood. The volume is a duodecimo of more than five hundred pages, and sells in England for one guinea. It is intended to make the American edi- tion a perfect fac-simile, or as nearly so as practicable in this country, and to af- ford it at J? 4, neatly bound in silk, and elegantly gilt. This work cannot be classed as Annual, but may be said to be a Perennial, a suitable memorial for all times and seasons, i- differs i nsi iHjally from the whole class of Literary Gifts usually presented to Young Ladies, being a complete manual for all those ele- gant pursuits which grace the person and adorn the mind. The London nub- ushers state that the various subjects of which Uie volume is composed, have been confined to proficients in their several departments, and the engravings have been executed in the best style of the English artists.
8 Valuable TPorks, fye.
II. CHEMISTRY APPLIED to the ARTS, on
the basis of Gray's Operative Chemist. In 8vo. with nu- merous plates.
III. The PRINCIPLES and PRACTICE of , MEDICINE, by Samuel Jacksox, M. D.
IV. EXAMINATION of MEDICAL DOC- TRINES and SYSTEMS of NOSOLOGY, preceded by PRO- POSITIONS containing- the SUBSTANCE of PHYSIOLOGI- CAL MEDICINE, by F. J. V. BnorssAis, Officer of the Royal order of the Leg-ion of Honour; Chief Physician and First Professor in the Military Hospital for Instruction at Pa- ris, &c. &c. &c. Third edition. Translated from the French, by Isaac Hats, M. D. and R. E. Griffith, M. D.
V. BECLARD'S GENERAL ANATOMY, in 1
vol. 8vo.
VI. FARRADAY'S CHEMICAL MANIPULA- TION, first American, from the second London edition.
VII. THOMPSON on INFLAMMATION, second
American, from the second London edition.
VIII. WILLIAMS on DISEASE of the LUNGS.
IX. ARNOTT'S ELEMENTS of PHYSICS, or NATURAL PHILOSOPHY, GENERAL and MEDICAL, ex- plained independently of TECHNICAL MATHEMATICS— Second volume.
X. A TREATISE ON FEVER. By Southwood Smith, M. D. Physician to the London Fever Hospital.
a For simplicity of arrangement? perspicuity of view, power of argument and practical deduction, this Treatise on Fever stands without competition, at the head of all that has been written on this abstruse disease."— Westminster Review, Jan.
" There is no man in actual practice in this metropolis, who should not pos- sess himself of Dr. Smith's work."— London Medical and SurgicalJournal, Feb.
" While the study of this work must be a matter of duty to the members of the medical profession, the general reader will find it perfectly intelligible, and of great practical utility."— Monthly Repository, March.
" With a mind so framed to accurate observation, and logical deduction, Dr. Smith's delineations are peculiarlv valuable." — Medico-Chir. Rev. March.
XL The MUSSULMAN, bj R. R. Madden, Esq. author of Travels in Turkey, Egypt, Nubia, and Palestine, in 2 vols.
► " The portraiture of Turkish life and character, which this work exhibits, has perhaps, never been equalled. The account of Mohamed Ali, the destruction of jthe Mamelukes, the picture of Bedouin warfare, the description of the Der- vish, and of the Arabian Astrologer, are indeed among the most splendid deli- neations ever introduced into the pages of fiction."— Sun.
XII. The ARMENIANS, a Tale of Constantino- ple, by J. Macfarland, in 2 vols.
" The author will appreciate our respect for his talents, when we say that he has done more than any other man to complete the picture of the East, dashed off by the bold pencil of the author of Anastasius."— Edin. Lit. Journ.
XIII. JOURNAL of the HEART, edited by the Authoress of Flirtation.
" This is a most charming and feminine volume, one delightful for a
to read, and for a woman to have w ritten; elegant language, kind and gentle thoughts, a sweet and serious tone of religious feeling run through every page, and any extract must do very scanty justice to the merit of the whole. ****** We most cordially recommend this Journal of the Heart, though we are unable to do it justice by any selection of its beauties, which are too ultimately inter- woven to admit of separation."— Literary Gazette.
Phi "lay, 1830.
Just Published, by Carey <Sf Lea, And sold in Philadelphia by E L. Carey $ A. Hart; in NVw-York 5y a . ' arviti} iii EfoMon by 0/,'#r «V II,ndu—m Charleston
by Ur. II Berrett— in New-Orleans by H'. M'Kean; by the principal book- >n»
AND IN LONDON, BY JOHN MILLER, ST. JAMES'3 STREET.
VOLUMES III.
CONTAINING ABOUT 1500 ARTICLE,
(2t» be continued at intervals of three months,)
OF THE
ENCYCLOPAEDIA AMERICANA:
A
POPULAR DICTIONARY
OF
ARTS, SCIENCES, LITERATURE. HISTORY, AND POLITICS,
BROUGHT DOWN TO THE rr.F«EVT TIME AND INCLCDI.NQ A C0H0U3 COLLECTION OT ORIGINAL A.RTICLE3 IX
AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY:
On the basis of the Seventh Edition of the German
CONVERSATIOXS-LEXICON.
Edited by Dr. FRANCIS LIEBER, Assisted by EDWARD WIGGLES WORTH, Esa.
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RATIONAL EXPOSITION
THE PHYSICAL SIGNS
OF THE
DISEASES
E LUNGS AND PLEURA ;
ILLUSTRA^
^THE[R PATHOLOGY, AND FACILITATING //^I^D^^OSIS.
By CHARLES J. B. WILLIAMS, M. D.
h
CL
PHILADELPHIA:
CAREY AND LEA-CHESNUT STREET.
1830.
E. St G. Merriam, Printers, Brookfield, Mass.
b
TO
SIR HENRY HALFORD, Bart.
PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS, PHYSICIAN TO THE KING, &C. &C.
My dear Sir,
To you, the learned and justly distinguished head of our profession, I dedicate this work. Were the illustrious inventor of Auscultation living, duty and inclination would have guided my pen to inscribe his name on this page. He is not ; and when I turn to you for the sanction of this little production, I feel, that whatever slight merits it may p ossess, will meet with the approbation of an equally enlightened mind, and the urbane protection of a candid authority.
With every sentiment of respect and esteem, I am, my dear Sir, your very faithful and obliged Servant,
C. J. B. WILLIAMS.
London, May 21, 1828.
X
PREFACE.
A discovery, a new doctrine, or an innovation of any kind, produces a curious agitation in the public mind, which, in a remarkable manner, illustrates the paradoxical and heterogeneous composition of human character. Tossed to and fro by the exertions of its opponents, and of its scarcely less opposing ultra-par- tisans, it resembles a pendulum ; and vibrating irregu- larly between many disturbing forces, it is driven out of the real sphere of its importance, and from that true point of utility to which its intrinsic weight and worth would cause it to gravitate.
More particularly has this happened in medicine, which, having few standard or fixed points to steady it, has been ever too much at the mercy of contending opinions. The localization of diseases is a characte- ristic doctrine of the present day; and most assuredly such a system would be the most scientific, that could trace the multifarious forms of disease to a few simple primary lesions of tissue, or well defined alterations of function ; and that plan of practice the most eflica-
VI PREFACE.
cious that could concentrate its efforts against the very root of evil, and stop at its very spring-source the cur- rent of disorder. But we are far from having attained such a perfection ; and let caution, therefore, remind us, that hastily to follow a light, which, however pure and real, is yet at distance too remote to shed its rays upon our paths, is scarcely less dangerous, than to chase an empty ignis fatuus ; that to grasp at an object, however perfect and substantial, so far beyond our present reach, is not less futile than to catch at an illusory shadow.
The local study of diseases must not, therefore, re- move our attention from their general phenomena ; our examination of their physical nature must not exclude the consideration of many constitutional effects, that by reaction may often become converted into causes ; and still less should physical signs of doubtful import make us neglect obvious disorder of the system.
But, thus limited, the local study of diseases is more advantageous than the knowledge of their general forms ; an examination of their physical signs, when possible, more useful than the perplexing consideration of a host of uncertain and fallacious constitutional symptoms ; and when physical signs are wanting, or beyond the sphere of our observation, those constitu- tional ones are our best guides, which most nearly de- pend on the physical and unchangeable character of the disease. For the local study of a disease acquaints us with its proximate and essential cause, and this knowledge suggests means for its removal ; and by a study of its physical signs, and of those general ones most allied to them, we obtain the most certain me- thod of discovering its existence, and of distinguishing its character. •
PREFACE. VII
Further than this, I shall not expatiate on the ad- vantages or disadvantages of the new methods of diag- nosis of diseases of the chest. They are now too well understood and appreciated to be in danger of yielding to the opposition of prejudice, or of falling into obli- vion through neglect. Too many ears have been open- ed to the language of disease, to suffer its warnings to be lost without a listener ; too many minds are con- vinced of the truth of its admonitions, to permit them to pass, as hitherto, unheeded. Those who are dis- posed to study the signs of auscultation and percus- sion, will soon find in that study the proofs of their merit and importance ; those who will not examine them, are not likely to be more moved by any com- mendations that I could bestow, than by those that have already been written in their favour.
The " Traite de V Auscultation Mediate," and the perfect translation of Dr. Forbes, are at length, gene- rally appreciated, even in this country, slow to award its meed of praise. The homage paid to the talents of the author, gives me a gratification that almost seems per- sonal ; and I doubt not that this feeling is shared by others of his pupils, in whom his urbane and amiable deportment created a sincere regard for the man, as his great mental abilities excited our respect. His great talents are known to the public through the medium of his writing ; but those who attended his clinique can alone appreciate the wonderful acute- ness of perception, and faculty for observation, that enabled him to carry his discovery to the degree of perfection in which he left it; and they, above all, wit- nessed, felt, and profited by the solicitous interest which he showed to make others partake of its inestimable advantages. They felt in his death the loss of a friend ;
Vlll PREFACE.
as science had to deplore the loss of his talents ; he has wrought a good work for both ; the feeling shall last while they last ; science has recorded his name on her tablets for ever : —
" Ilium aget penna metuente solvi
" Fama superstes."
Let me say a few words on the objects and plan of the present work.
I have ever found in practice, and it is perfectly con- formable to reason, that the easiest and most agreeable way to study physical signs, and to attain the surest criterion of their value and importance, is by consider- ing how they are caused, or what are the relations in which they stand to the physiological and pathological states that produce them. Attempts to discover the rationale of the general symptoms of disease have been as unsuccessful as our knowledge of the functions or properties, on which they depend, is scanty and imper- fect ; and inquiries of this kind have been proportion- ately unsatisfactory and unprofitable. But physical signs stand on the broad and intelligible basis of phy- sical laws, and are as readily explained as other simple phenomena, illustrated by natural philosophy. It has been my endeavour to exhibit them, as far as possible, in this intelligible view ; to show the mechanism by which the signs are produced, and the manner in which, according to fixed laws, they result as phenomena ; to make a knowledge of the pathology predicate the signs, and a knowledge of the signs indicate the pathology ; and by thus familiarising the mind with their principles, to enable it to understand the multifarious forms which, by combination, these signs may assume, and to judge
PREFACE. IX
of the corresponding physical changes that modify or produce them.
I have not refrained, when the subject seemed to re- quire it, or where 1 had any new view to offer, from entering on some questions of general pathology. I am not clear that I have been judicious in so doing ; for the. slight views, that I have given of these ques- tions, may be deemed too superficial and unsupported to be satisfactory ; and had I developed them in tho manner in which I am prepared to do, it would have completely changed the size and nature of the work. These opinions, as well as my acquaintance with the physical signs, are the result of some extent of study and observation, prosecuted chiefly in the wards of La Charite, where Laennec taught, and Andral prosecuted his studies. Most of the facts which I have described have appeared in the works of these illustrious men ; and wherever my experience has not enabled me to give the same as. the result of my own observation, I have referred to their competent authority. Where, in point of fact, or opinion, I have differed from them or from others, I would wish my dissent to be viewed rather as a question to be answered by others, than as in itself superseding former observations or opinions.
I have divided this work into two parts : the first contains an exposition of the general physical signs of a healthy and diseased state and action of the thoracic viscera, to which I have prefixed a chapter on the properties, &c, of sound ; the second comprehends the pathological history, and physical signs, of the principal diseases of the lungs and pleura. I have in- serted at the end of the volume some tabular views of the physical signs, &c. illustrated by a plate, showing the situation of the regions of the chest. These are 2
X PREFACE.
to be considered more as tables of reference to assist the memory, than as containing any exact or adequate expositions of their subjects. The diagram of the ste- thoscope, and the accompanying explanation of the best principles of its construction, I have thought worth adding, as workmen have hitherto had little but fancy to guide them.
CONTENTS.
Paces. PARTI. Chap. I. 13—25
On the Physical Signs of Disease, 13 — 15 ; Applicability of Hearing the Study of Disease, 15, 16 ; Properties of Sound ; Nature of Vibrations ; Differences of Sounds ; Har- monic and Discordant Vibrations; Conduction of Sound ; Sources of Sounds ; Reflection of Sound, 16 — 25.
Chap. II. — On the Physical Signs of the State and Action cfthe Thoracic Viscera 26 — 70
Utility of Physical Signs, 26—28. Sect. I.— On Percus- sion. Causes of Pectoral Resonance, 29 ; Causes of its Mo- difications, 30; Method of Percussion, 31 — 33; Mediate Percussion, 33, 34. Sect. II. — On Auscultation, Auscul- tation of Respiration ; Tracheal, Bronchial, and Vesicular Respiration, 35 — 37 ; Varieties, Puerile Respiration, &c., 37 — 41 ; Effects of Disease, 42 ; Cavernous Respiration, 43 ; Rhonchi, 43 ; Sibilant, 44 ; Sonorous, Dry Mucous, 45 ; Mu- cous, 46—48 ; Crepitant, 48 , 49 ; Sounds of the Cough, 50, 51 ; Sounds of the Voice, Laryngophony, Broncophony, Pectoriloquy, 51 — 57.
Sect. III. — Auscultation of the Heart. Nature and Order of the Sounds of Pulsation, 57 — 59 ; Effects of Disease, CO — 62 ; Method of Auscultation, Immediate Auscultation, 63; the Stethoscope, 64—67; Use of the Stethoscope, 67 —70.
PART II. — On the Physical Signs of Diseases or the Lungs and Pleura.
Chap. I.— Diseases of the Air Tubes - - 72—91
Sect. I. — Acute Bronchitis, Pathology and Signs, 72 — 77 ; Chronic Bronchitis ; Signs ; Distinction from Phthisis ; Dila- tation of the Bronchi, &c. 77 — S2. Sect. II. — Pituitary Catarrh, 82— 84. Sect. III.— Dry Catarrh, 84— 86. Sect. IV. — Pertussis, 86 ; Croup, 87 ; Ulcers and Tumours of the Bronchi, 88 Sect. V. — Spasmodic Asthma, 89 — 91.
Chap. II. — Diseases affecting the Tissue of the Lungs 92—115
Sect. I. — Peripneumony, 1st stage ; Pathology, Causes of Rhonchus Crepitans, 92 — 94 ; 2d stage, Pathology, Bron- chial Respiration, &c. 94 — 96 ; 3d stage, 96 ; Abscess and Gangrene, 97 ; Progress of the Inflammation, 98 ; Retro- gression, 99; Partial Peripneumony, 101 ; Signs of Percui-
xii CONTENTS.
sion, 102 ; Sputa, 102—105. Sect. II.— Emphysema of the Pages
Lungs, Pathological Causes, 105—107 ; Signs, 108 ; Inter- lobular Emphysema, 109. Sect. III.— CEdema of the Lungs ; Pathology and Signs, 110—112. Sect. IV.— Pulmonary Apo- plexy ; Signs; Haemoptoe, &c. 112 — 115.
Chap. III. — Diseases of the Pleura - 116 — 158
Sect. I. — Pleurisy, Physical Signs ; JEgophony, and its Causes, &c. 116—123; Latent State of Pleurisy, 123, 124; Retrogression of Pleurisy, 125 Double Pleurisy, 126 ; Terminations of Pleurisy, 127 ; Effects of Inflammation on Tissues, 127—130 ; Adhesions, 130, 131 ; Hemorrhagic Pleurisy, Contraction of the Chest, 132 — 134 ; Pneumothorax of Necessity, 135 ; Chronic Pleurisy ; Nature of Empy- ema ; Signs; 136 — 138. Sect. II. — Pleuropneumonia, Pa- thology, 139 ; Signs, 140—142. Sect. III.— Hydro thorax ; Uncertainty of General Signs, 142 ; Physical Signs. 143, Sect. IV. — Hcemothorax, 144. Sect. V. Pneumothorax; Pathological Nature, 145 Physical Signs, 146 ; with Li- quid Effusion, 147: Succession of the Chest, 148; Causes of Tinnitus Metallicus, 149—158.
Chap. IV.— Phthisis Pulmonalis 158—19*
Sect. I. — Pathology, Granulation, Indurations, 159. Crude Tubercles, 160; Softening and Evacuation, 161; Ca- vities, 161 — 163 ; Inquiry into the Pathology of Phthisis, and Nature of Tubercle, 163—171; Causes of Tubercles, 172; Inefhcacy of Medicine, 173 — 175. Sect. II. — Physical Signs. Signs of Crude Tubercles and Indurations, 175 — 179 ; Signs of Softening and Evacuation, Signs og Cavities, 179 -
Cavernous Rhonchus, 180 ; Cavernous Respiration, 181
183 ; Pectoriloquy, how produced, various kinds, 183-188 ; Distinction between Cavities and dilated Bronchi, 189 ; Com- plications, 190 ; Perforation of the Pleura, 191 ; Sputa in the last stage, 191 — 192 ; Cicatrization of Cavaties, 192 — 193 ■ Chances of Cure, 193 — 194 ; Melanosis, Hydatids, &c, 194 — 195.
EPPLANATION OF THE PLATES. Pl.I. Construction of the Stethoscope 196 — 199. Tabular View of the Regions, &c. 200 — 201. Pl. II. Additional Observations on Mediate Percussion, 202 — 203. Tabular View of Physical Signs, &c. 204—205.
PART I.— CHAP I.
ON THE PHYSICAL SIGNS OF DISEASE
By physical signs I mean such as depend on the direct operation of known laws of na- tural philosophy on our organs of sensation. As they are produced by the physical state or condition of a part, they become indications of that state or condition, as certain, as the laws, of which they are exemplifications, are unerring and sure : and the physical state of a part of the body may be ascertained with more or less certainty, as its physical signs, or relations to these natural laws, are more or less appreci- able by our senses.
The organs of vision, impressed by the forms and properties in relation to light, and perfected
14 ON THE PHYSICAL SIGNS OF DISEASE,
by the immediate correction of touch, are, both by nature and habit, calculated to give us a more perfect knowledge of external objects, than can be derived from the other senses. But the number of diseases that come under the cognizance of vision is very limited, as by far the greater part of the body is excluded from its sphere. Derangements of the surface, and of the openings of some of the passages to the interior, can alone be subjected to the direct examination of the eye. Mediately, physical changes of internal organs can be perceived by sight only, when their size, form, or position is so far altered as to cause displacement of some external part ; and the knowledge that such a sign gives us, although scanty, is often valuble.
The sense of touch, or tact, will, in the same cases, furnish us with further knowledge as to the form, substance, and constitution of a dis- eased part ; and, when perfected by experience, may frequently discover organic changes that are altogether imperceptible to sight.
The sense of smell is more rarely qualified to distinguish disease ; as its impressions can only be conveyed through the medium of air, probably in motion ; yet we shall find that cases are not wanting in which this sense may assist us in diagnosis.
Sound, as it may be both generated and pro-
ON THE PHYSICAL SIGNS OF DISEASE. 15
pagated in every form of matter, solid, liquid, and aeriform, may be therefore considered a mean of examination of parts removed from sight and tact, more promising as its sphere is less limited. It is requisite, however, that the object of examination be capable of producing or transmitting audible sound ; and that changes in the part produce corresponding changes in sound thus produced or transmitted, that may be appreciated by the ear. The relations of the organ of hearing to the qualities of ex- ternal objects, are, in ordinary life, much less exercised than those of tact and vision. Yet continual experience proves to us that the sub- stance or consistence of simple objects is, in some measure, declared by the sound which they emit when struck. The sound of liquids in contact with air is familiarly distinguished from that of solids in the same medium, and a little more attention discovers the varied sounds which air in motion produces in contact with solids of different forms.
Such scanty knowledge of the relations of sound suffices for the common purposes of life : to study them more closely, with a view to dis- cover the nature of objects, were a work of su- pererogation whilst sight and tact are capable of giving us much more perfect and certain in- formation. But an individual deprived of sight
16 ON THE PROPERTIES OF SOUND.
substitutes a perfection of tact and of hearing and distinguishing sounds, which, in a great degree, compensates for his want of vision. So likewise may we, with equal advantage, so per- fect our sense of hearing, as to make its indi- cations available to instruct us of objects be- yond the sphere of tact and vision. Now such perfection must in great measure depend on the practice of each individual, as a knowledge of simple sensations cannot be transferred by de- scription ; but the study may be much assisted and simplified by a general knowledge of the chief laws according to which sound is pro- duced and propagated. Unfortunately acous- tics is a branch of natural philosophy that has been neglected to an unaccountable degree ; and when I refer to the works of authors on the subject, it is but to a scanty source, and supplying little information applicable to our subject. It would be beyond its purpose to introduce in this work an attempt to supply this defect, nor indeed am I . prepared to do so in the systematic form which the subject re- quires ; but there are a few points relating to sound which must be known before we can understand those phenomena which it is a great object of this work to explain,
Sound is an impression communicated to our sense of hearing by certain vibrations of mat-
ON THE PROPERTIES OF SOUND. 17
ter. All matter is susceptible of sonorous vibrations ; but the degrees of this suscepti- bility are as varied as matter is diversified in form and nature. As a general rule it may be stated that it is in proportion to the strength of the molecular elasticity in the matter.
This term molecular elasticity may, perhaps, require a little explanation. I mean by it that force by which the molecules of a body are held at a certain distance from each other, and resist any effortto displace them from it. Thus, glass and steel may be said to possess molecu- lar elasticity in a powerful degree, because any external impulse is instantaneously com- municated from particle to particle throughout their whole mass ; and it is not lost or broken by the yielding or displacement of the mole- cules at the point struck. Air, and other flu- ids, on the other hand, cannot readily be thrown into vibrations, unless the impulse be applied to some extent of surface, by which it becomes communicated to many particles at once.
This rule is, however, much too abstract to apply directly to the common instances of the generation of sound ; for it is not always the hardest bodies thatproduce the loudest sounds in our ears. But we must separate the physi- cal from the physiological phenomenon, in order to analyze each into its respective elements. I 3
18 ON THE PROPERTIES OF SOUJVD.
conceive that the motion of matter producing sound, should be considered as molecular, al- though the result is the vibration of the mass. I would explain the production of sound as follows : — An impulse is impinged on certain molecules ; this, momentarily overcoming the resistance of the quiescent forces, causes these molecules to start from their place ; that force of repulsion, which existing between the differ- ent molecules resists the attempt to approxi- mate them, transfers the impulse from mole- cule to molecuie, and thus extends it through- out the mass. The impulse that forced these molecules from their position being exhausted, they spring back, by virtue of their attractive and repulsive forces, to beyond their original situation, and are again driven back ; until, by a series of these alternating vibratory mo- tions, the disturbing force is lost.
The assimilatory power, then, that these vi- brations possess depends on the molecular elasticity of the body, that is to say, on the re- pulsive and attractive forces that subsist be- tween the molecules of which it is composed ; and it is evident that this assimilatory or propa- gating power will be more effective in propor- tion as the molecular elasticity is strong and perfect. It is likewise apparent that uni- formity, or equality of molecular elasticity
ON THE PROPERTIES OF SOUND. 19
favours the propagation of sonorous vibrations. For if the elasticity of some molecules be less than that of others, the reaction being less, will produce vibrations not consentaneous with those of the others, and may impair, or even destroy them. Let us illustrate this by the vibrations of pendula. Suppose a number of pendula suspended in a line, and in the act of vibration. If these pendula are of the same length, the vibrations will be equal and consen- taneous, and will neither interfere with, nor interrupt each other. Such are the vibrations in bodies, whose molecular elasticity is uniform. But suppose the pendula of different lengths, and the vibrations, therefore, unequal, the mo- tions would then interfere with and neutralize each other, and this the more effectually, the more varied and irregular they are.
There are, however, some vibrations that,* although they are not synchronous, neverthe- less promote each other, and these constitute what are called harmonic sounds. To show how this is effected, let us again refer to the pendulum. We have already remarked that pendula of the same length vibrate synchro- nousl}r, and may, therefore, promote and strengthen each other. This is the harmony of unison. Suppose one pendulum half the length of the other ; it makes double the num-
20 ON THE PROPERTIES OF SOUND.
ber of vibrations in the same space of time, and being regularly in the same ratio of striking two for every one of the other, the vibrations do not counteract each other. This concord or harmony of vibrations of sound produces the harmonic note of the octave. The same illustration will enable us to conceive the har- monics of the fifth, the fourth, and the third ; the ratio of their vibrations being as 3 to 2, 4 to 3, and 5 to 4 of the key-note ; and in like man- ner of other harmonics. Now it is necessary to be aware of these relations, in order to un- derstand the production of such sounds as we are accustomed to hear ; for, owing to the va- riable molecular elasticity of the bodies in which they are produced, these sounds are always compound, and consist of a variety of vibrations, which may increase or neutralize each other according as the arithmetical rela- tions of their motions harmonize or disagree. The propagation or conduction of sound from body to body, is subject to the same rule ; and, in fact, it consists in the transmission of the same impulse, producing sonorous vibra- tions, from one body to another. A sound will, therefore, cceteris paribus, be best conducted by those bodies which approach in degree and strength of molecular elasticity the body in which that sound is generated. Thus a sound
ON THE PROPERTIES OF SOUND. 21
produced in air will be best propagated by air ; one produced in a solid will be most com- pletely conducted by a solid of the same den- sity and hardness, &c. On the other hand, bodies, very different in density, receive and transmit sonorous vibrations very imperfectly. Thus air transmits, in a very impaired degree, the sounds produced in dense bodies, such as metals ; and the sonorous vibrations of air are scarcely received by dense bodies.
The sounds produced by the collision of solids, and transmitted to us through air, are, nevertheless, among the loudest that we hear ; but this is by reason of the law before stated, that those bodies are most susceptible of sonorous vibrations, in which the molecular elasticity is greatest, as well as most uniform ; and such sounds are incomparably louder when heard through solids, instead of through air. The transfer of sonorous vibration may, however, be greatly favoured in another way, by bringing a large surface of the solid vibrating body in con- tact with the air, and otherwise modifying its form, as in the case of bells, &c. This is a separate branch of acoustics, and is not suffi- ciently connected with our subject to require notice here.
There are many substances, that prove bad conductors of sound, from their being of un-
22 ON THE PROPERTIES OF SOUND.
equal density ; and those are worst in which this inequality is greatest. Linen and woollen stuffs are examples. The threads of which they are composed leave interstices, which con- tain air of very different density from the so- lid fibres. In paper and pasteboard, the same fibres pressed closer together, and forming a more solid mass, become a far better conduc- tor. The same is the case with all spongy bodies.
It now becomes apparent why the loudness of sounds does not always appear to us propor- tioned to the hardness and density of the bodies in which they are produced. Air is commonly the medium through which sounds are con- ducted to our ears ; and this is a body of such tenuity that it much impairs those produced in solids, although, physically, they are the loudest. We are thus relieved from the danger of injury to our organs of hearing, from sounds that might be too powerful for them to bear ; and this happy provision supersedes the necessity of providing them with a defensory apparatus for their occasional occlusion, which we findtobein various degrees necessary for the other organs of sense. In most of the loud sounds, therefore, which we are accustomed to hear, air is the so- nific body, as well as the conducting medium. The sound of the voice, of most musical instru-
ON THE PROPERTIES OF SOUND. 23
ments, of explosions, &c, originates in air. In some of these, such as explosions, flutes, and other instruments of the whistle kind, air pro- duces the sonific impulse as well as the sound, and such sounds conveyed by air may be of a most powerful kind ; but can be only imperfectly transmitted by solid conductors. In the sounds of reed instruments (among which I do not he- sitate to class the human voice), airis equally the sonorous body ; but it is thrown into sonorous vibrations by the mechanical motions of a solid, producing little or no sound themselves. The hum of insects is a remarkable example of the same kind. The rapid motions of their wings produce in air a corresponding series of vibra- tions, which, when it attains a certain degree of rapidity, produces sound ; and this sound is more acute as the rapidity is greater beyond this degree. The vibration of cords, I believe to be in the same predicament; for the sounds which they produce have no relation to the so- norous qualities of the substances of which they are formed ; but entirely to the elastic tension in which they are longitudinally kept, and by means of which an impulse, deranging their equilibrium, occasions a series of transverse vibrations, which, communicated to air, if suffi- ciently rapid, produces sound.
Sounds produced by the percussion of solids
24 ON THE PROPERTIES OF SOUND.
are little, if at all, dependent on the surrounding conducting medium ; but they become modified in intensity, and even in kind, by this medium, according as it differs in density from the solid in which they were produced. When this dif- ference is great, a third bodj', of intermediate density, will very much facilitate the transmis" sion of the sound to our ears. Thus, the percus- sion of hard metallic bodies sounds much loud- er when they are in contact with wood, because this substance of intermediate density transfers the vibrations with greater facility from the metal to the air. I may give the common pitch bar as an example of this. It produces little sound after it is struck, as long as it is held between the fingers, but no sooner is it placed on its end on the table or pianoforte, than its sound becomes distinct and clear.
I am thus led to consider the power of dif- ferent media to conduct sound, not as an abso- lute and unchangeable quality, but as depen- dent on the relations in point of elasticity of their molecules to the substance from which they receive the sonorous vibrations.
The reflection of sound has relation to the same qualities of substances, but in a converse way. When, for example, a sound is produced in a very rare medium, such as air, the force with which the vibrations are propagated from par-
ON THE PROPERTIES OF SOUND. 25
tide to particle, is weak, because the molecular elasticity is weak, and being, therefore, incapa- ble of communicating its vibrations to any hard, dense, and incompressible solid with which it may be in contact, the resisted impulse is re- flected back to the air itself; and this more perfectly, the greater the difference in molecu- lar elasticity between the air and the solid body. The laws of the reflection of sound are nearly the same as those of the reflection of light; the angle of reflection being equal to the angle of incidence ; and this analogy great- ly facilitates our study. I must observe, how- ever, that the analogy is not perfect in ob- servation ; for the greater materiality of the media of the vibrations of sound exposes them to a greater number of disturbing influences, which impair or disguise the operation of the law. Thus, from motion, difference of density, &c, sound seems often to be propagated through air in curves, instead of in straight lines ; and from there being always reflection where there is diversity of matter, sound is more easily diffused than light.
26 ON PHYSICAL SIGNS IN THE CHEST,
CHAP. ir.
ON THE PHYSICAL SIGNS OF THE STATE AND ACTION OF THE THORACIC VISCERA.
It has been remarked that no parts of the body require the assistance of an additional sense to discover their state so much as those contained in the thorax. Excluding equally with other parts the scrutiny of vision, and by reason of their bony case more than they beyond the reach of tact, the thoracic viscera would have re- mained in more than the common obscurity and uncertainty of signs produced by equivocal and inexplicable sympathies, and still more fallacious sensations, had not the immortal discoverers of auscultation and percussion pointed out the pe- culiar adaptation of the chest to afford to our organs of hearing more certain indications of the state of its contents. And so effectually is the lacuna filled by the exercise of a sense that may be said to have been hitherto useless in the physical investigation of disease, that the dis- eases of the chest may now be ranked among those most within our powers of examination. For, unlike some others (the brain for example), the lungs and heart have no such complexity of
OX PHYSICAL ilOHfl IX THE CHEST. 27
structure, or obscurity of function, as to render signs of their physical state of little avail to ex- plain their disorder, or to suggest means for their cure. We see in these organs a mechanism of structure admirably adapted for its own office ; we know that the perfect state of this mechanism is necessary to preserve the integrity of the function ; and we can perceive, when that becomes deranged, how this must neces- sarily suffer. The signs by which such derange- ments are commonly distinguished, arise not so much from the diseased part itself, as from the disorder which it may produce on the functions and sensations. Now, as it is impossible to find a standard by which to judge of the health of a function in individual cases, and as sensations are frequently so elusive as to baffle our attempts to trace them to their source, the common me- thod of diagnosis not unfrequently fails to detect even the existence of a disease ; and even when the signs of disordered function and local pain are so distinct and prominent as clearly to prove that disease is present, they generally leave us in more or less doubt as to its nature. They have still their importance, and until lately have been our sole guide in the employment of a practice by no means unsuccessful. Let us not then exclude these from our view, whilst we study other signs which promise us still greater
28 ON PHYSICAL SIGNS IN THE CHEST.
certainty. Ages have passed away without leaving us materially improved in our diagnosis after the old method : another is now offered to us, on the more certain and intelligible basis of physics, which discovers signs which are iden- tical with the physical nature of the disease.
There are two classes of sounds from which a knowledge may be obtained of the state of the thoracic viscera. One description or class is, for the most part, naturally produced by the mo- tions of the organs within the chest, and is heard by the direct or mediate application of the ear to its parietes. These are the signs of ausculta- tion. The other class of sounds is produced artificially by striking the chest ; these consti- tute the signs of percussion. These last I shall first notice, not that they are prior in impor- tance, but because they are more simple, and are generally consulted in examination before the fuller and more satisfactory ones of auscul- tation.
Section I. — On Percussion.
The chest of a person in health yields, when struck lightly by the ends of the fingers, a hollow and somewhat drum-like sound. The resonance thus produced arises from the air contained within, in the spongy tissue of the lungs, which receives the impulse through the
ON PERCUSSION. 29
thoracic parietcs. But in order that the impulse be propagated, these parietcs must possess a cer- tain degree of elastic tension ; lor if they are flaccid, and yield to the stroke of percussion, no sound will be emitted but that slight and obtuse one produced by the fall of the fingers upon the surface. The natural compact of the chest, with its frame of bone, attached by elastic ligaments and cartilages, and invested by a covering more or less tense, of muscles and in- teguments, is generally well adapted to transmit to its interior the impulse of external percus- sion : but if the elasticity of the cartigales be in any way lost, or if the integuments become thickened by oedema, fat, or other cause, the resonance on percussion will be proportionately diminished ; and these causes of modification of the pectoral sound must be carefully sepa- rated from those depending on the state of the internal organs.
In the natural and healthy state, as the clear- ness and fulness of the pectoral resonance on percussion depends on the air-filled structure of the lung, and the tenuity and tension of the con- taining parietes, it is evident that those parts of the chest will sound best that most com- pletely present these conditions. Our anato- mical knowledge will therefore point out the different degrees of sound that the different
30 ON PERCUSSION.
parts of a healthy chest should emit. Thus, the anterior and axillary parts of the chest should sound well ; but in most of the posterior region the thickness of the soft parietes must render the sound more dull, and the same effect may be produced in the inferior parts by the contiguity of the abdominal viscera. For a more specific detail of the natural sound of each part of the chest, I refer to the table of the regions into which Laennec has divided the chest.
The manner in which diseases modify the pectoral resonance, is by changing the density of the contained organs. If, for example, a liquid or solid effusion take place in any part of the lungs or pleura, the corresponding portion of the chest will yield a dull, dead sound, and with- out that hollow resonance which is naturally produced by air underneath. On the other hand, when the aeriform contents of the cavity are increased beyond their usual proportion, as in pneumothorax and emphysema, the natural resonance may be increased to a degree that sounds quite tympanitic.
The practice of percussion requires some manual dexterity ; and as on this, in great measure, depends the correctness of its indica- tions, I shall bestow a few observations on the best method of percussion. It is of very little consequence whether the patient be bitting or
METHOD OF PERCUSSION. 31
standing, or sitting up in bed, provided we hold in mind that all the sounds, bad and good, are rendered somewhat duller in the latter case, by the vicinity of the pillows and bed-clothes, which destroy the resonant echo accompany- ing sounds in more empty rooms. The same amount of difference may be perceived in differ- ent rooms, when percussion is practiced in the standing or sitting posture. In some cases of debility, and of painful disease, the patient can bear no other than the recumbent posture ; and in the parts where percussion can be practised, the sounds are somewhat more dull in these cases, from the deadening effect which the bed has on them. Thus warned, a little practice will enable the student to avoid error from these causes.
The part on which percussion is practised should be covered with a linen or cotten gar- ment *, to render the stroke of percussion more equable, and to prevent its producing pain ; and for this purpose a shirt or bed-gown kept on, answers ver}r well, if care be taken to keep it smooth and close on the surface, by the fingers of the left hand.
* I find that Dr. Forbes thinks this precaution unnecessary (Transla- tion of Laennec). I believe that the tact furnished by experience may, as I have afterwards observed, supersede this and other precautions ; but it is necessary for a beginner, particularly where the soft parietes of the chest are thick.
32 METHOD OF PERCUSSION.
Percussion is generally performed with the three first fingers of the right hand, held in such manner together, that, with their last joints at right angles with the surface to be struck, their tops shall fall simultaneously on it. The stroke must be made lightly, and with a jerk, by drawing the hand back the instant it has fallen, as if it struck something elastic which repelled it ; ~and by a stroke thus made, as mo- mentarily as possible, the fullest and clearest sound is elicited. It is of importance to attend to the manner in which the phalanx of fingers falls on the chest ; more or less in the transverse direction of the ribs is generally the best posi- tion ; but, above all, it is quite indispensible that, in making comparative trials of the two sides of the chest the same method be adhered to ; for gross errors may be the consequence of striking on one side across, and on the other along the ribs, as the sounds often differ con- siderably when produced in these different man- ners. I might go into minute details of many modifications which I have found advantageous in the employment of percussion in individual cases ; but his own experience will furnish such knowledge to each observer far better than the most elaborate instructions that I could give. I shall only remark in exemplification, that the examination of circumscribed spots can be best
MEDIATE PERCUSSION. 33
effected by percussion with a single finger (as on the clavicle, a rib, &c), whilst a general and tolerably accurate survey of the chest may, with economy of time, be often obtained by percus- sion with the flat hand, avoiding, in this case, the jerk necessary in the other method. This, I must, however, add, should be trusted to only by the*experienced ear.
Laennec remarks that, besides the difference of sound, percussion, on a healthy hollow chest, gives a peculiar vibratory sensation to the fingers of the percussor, quite different from the dead feel of percussion over a part of the chest destitute of elastic air. To those who have sufficient nicety of tact to perceive this distinc- tion, it may give additional evidence not without its value.
The force required in percussion is not by any means to an amount sufficient to produce pain in the generality of instances ; but there are some cases in which the parietes of the chest are particularly tender, and here percus- sion may, with advantage, be made mediately, in the manner recommended by M. Piorrv. This is done by interposing a thin lamina of wood, horn, or ivory on the part to be struck, so that while the impulse of percussion is per- fectly transmitted to the interior of the chest, it is so diffused on the surface covered by the 5
34 MEDIATE PERCUSSION.
lamina as not to produce pain. The same con- trivance I have found equally useful where, on account of fat, oedema, &c, unguarded percus- sion could not be practised with sufficient force to produce the resonance of the interior, with- out annoying the patient. To avoid multi- plying apparatus, I have always used the horn ear-piece of the stethoscope, which for this pur- pose I have made very thin ; and to prevent the clacking noise produced by the fall of the fingers on its hard surface, I have it lined with soft leather ; and thus prepared, I have found this little contrivance perform this part of its double office better than any pleximeter that I have seen. Held by means of its raised rim, with its concave or outer side in close apposition to the chest, it presents its inner side covered with leather for percussion, which may be practised with the tops of the fingers as usual, or with any other solid object of convenient form.
Such is the mode of obtaining signs of the physical state of the contents of the chest by percussion. The indications thus obtained, although they only relate to the density of the parts, are of great value, and alone may some- times detect disease that all other signs leave in obscurity. But their importance and value are vastly enhanced, when they are combined with, and corrected by, the more numerous and
SIGNS OF AUSCULTATION. 35
precipe signs discovered by auscultation ; these I proceed to consider.
Section II. — On Auscultation.
The signs of auscultation are those sounds produced in the chest, which may be heard by the direct or mediate application of the ear to its parietes. Now, 1 shall endeavour (and the same will be my object throughout this little work) to trace these signs to their physical causes, and bythus exploring the relations of diseases to certain and unchanging laws of natural philosophy, to place their characters beyond the doubtfulness and obscurity of sym- pathetic and sensatory signs.
I have before remarked that the sounds heard by auscultation are, for the most part produced by the natural movements of the organs con- tained within the chest. These movements are, those of respiration, to which may be added the voice ; and those of the heart. Let us consider the manner in which these several motions give rise to sound, and we shall then be enabled to perceive a priori the modifica- tions in it that disease may produce.
The ingress and egress of air in the lungs cause a sound of a peculiar nature, differing somewhat according to the part in which it is heard. This difference arises solely from a
36 SIGNS OF AUSCULTATION.
diversity in the size of the tubes, through which the air passes, and by a knowledge of this we may, therefore, easily judge what these differ- ences ought to be. Between the scapulae (for example) in the upper part of the axillse and in the upper sternal region, the sound is hol- lower, more tubular and blowing, because in these regions many bronchial ramifications of considerable size come so near the surface of the lung, that the sound produced by the pas- sage of air through them is heard more dis- tinctly than the duller and more diffused mur- mur which has its seat in the smaller bronchi and air cells. It is this latter sound, on the other hand, that prevails in other parts of the chest ; for although there is bronchial respira- tion in these parts likewise, it is not sufficiently near to the surface to be transmitted through the spongy ^ind ill-conducting tissue of the lung.
It is of great importance to be able to dis- tinguish between the sounds which the passage of the air produces in the trachea and larger bronchi and in the extreme bronchi and vesicles ; which different kinds of respiratory sound, we shall, with Laennec and Andral, distinguish by the epithets tracheal, bronchial, and vesicu- lar. Rather than attempt to convey an idea of these sounds by description, I will refer for
SOUND OF RESPIRATION. 37
the illustration of tracheal respiration, to the anterior and lateral parts of the neck, the superior sternal region, the sternal portion of the subclavian regions, and the cervical portion of the acromian regions ; of bronchial respiration, to the middle portion of the sternum and those parts of the mammary regions contiguous to it, and in thin subjects to the principal part of the interscapular and axillary regions ; and of vesicular respiration to the remaining parts of the chest. Such are generally the situations of the different kinds of repository sound ; but, as might be expected, the distinction may be much more easily made in some subjects than in others, and the characters can in a correspond- ing degree be severally recognized.
There is a considerable difference in the in- tensity of the sound of respiration in different individuals ; and this depends partly on the thickness of the parietes of the chest, but principally on the degree of activity of the respiratory function. Increased thickness of the parietes of the chest by fat or oedema does not very materially impede the transmission of sound of respiration to the ear, for being nearly of equal density, they form still a pretty good conductor of sound. From the same circum- stance, the respiratory murmur is most distinctly
38 SIGNS OF AUSCULTATION.
heard in those parts otthe chest where the pa- rietes are thinnest.
The degree of activity in the function in a much more remarkable manner determines the intensity of the respiratory sound ; and the variety which different individuals in this re- spect present, even in health, is a matter of much physiological interest. We know that in like manner other secernent functions, as those of the kidneys and skin, vary in different indivi- duals, under the same circumstances, in the de- grees of their activity, and we may range the present instance amongst them. Were we to enquire still further into the causes of these differences, we should probably be led to con- clude that they all have relation to a certain standard of organic activity or irritability, in some manner dependent on the physical consti- tution of the body. From this obscure point of constitutional difference (which we can only generalize, and not explain) let us turn to some changes in the respiratory sound that may take place in the same individual within the bounds of health.
I have remarked that it is more distinct after meals than at other times, which fact accords well with an ascertained point in animal che- mistry ; and proving that a greater activity of function is at that time required, it likewise
SOUND OF RESPIRATION. 39
furnishes an additional reason why persons affected with habitual dyspnoea, should then most feel the incapacity of their organs. Mo- derate exercise likewise increases the respira- tory sound ; but violent exertion has a tendency to produce an opposite effect ; for, when the muscles of respiration are exerted beyond a certain degree of activity, the dilatation and contraction of the lung cannot always keep pace with them, and the bronchial muscles are thrown into a state of irregular spasmodic con- traction (probably increased by the congestion of blood in the lungs,) which is gradually re- lieved by the returning moderation and regula- rity of the respiratory effort. This is much more remarkable in persons unaccustomed to exertion and advanced in life, than in the young and active ; and I think we should not use too mechanical a term, if we say that this proceeds from the greater rigidity of the lungs in the former. This leads me to the remarkable pe- culiarity that the respiration of very young in- dividuals presents to the auscultator.
From birth till about the period of puberty, the sound of respiration is much louder, and more shrill than in after life ; the passage of the air, producing it, seems much quicker, and the function appears to be in an extreme of activity. That the sound of puerile respiration (as
40 SIGNS OF AUSCULTATION.
Laennec terms this modification,) proceeds from no peculiarity in the structure of the lungs of children, is proved by the fact that it is occasional^ produced in adults, when one part of the lung is called into increased activity, to supply the defect of another incapacitated by disease. So also in adults, after a temporary suspension of respiration, as in reading or con- tinued utterance, the respirations are often attended with a puerile sound ; for being more rare, they are made with greater perfection and energy than usual. About the age of puberty the sound of respiration becomes deeper and less noisy, and in a few years, sooner or later, gradually assumes the character of adult re- spiration.
This change I am disposed to attribute prin- cipally to a greater comparative development of the lungs at that age, rather than to a dimin- ished activity of their function. It is at this period that the muscular system developes itself more fully, and to support the occasional exer- tion of its augmented power, the organs of the chest acquire an increased capacity, and a more extended sphere of activity. The pulse and respiration becoming slower in their standard of rest, offer a greater range in their dynamo- metric scale, and although, from increased ca- pacity, their common activity is diminished,
SOUND OP INSPIRATION.
41
they have greater capabilities in reserve to sup- port the occasional exertions of increased mus- cular strength. We find, accordingly, that in young persons above the age of puberty, in- creased exertion renders the respiration puerile, (that is, more active), and is therefore easy ; and as long as this supplementary power of the lungs is moderately exercised, by occasional in- creased muscular exertion, it will be preserved ; but, on the other hand, it will be lost by disuse ; the organs will become rigid in their limited sphere of action ; occasional exertion will be attended with the anhelation and spasmodic ac- tion of the bronchi before alluded to ; and the attacks of disease, on a function that can scarcely bear abridgment, must be left with a greater degree of severity : — an addition to the volume of arguments in favour of regular and active exercise.
As the sound of vesicular respiration is pro- duced by the perfect penetration of the air into the lungs, its simple and equal presence may be regarded as an index of the healthy perform- ance of the function ; and as no physical change can interrupt or modify this function without interrupting and modifying the sound, the study of these latter changes will lead us to a knowledge of the physical changes that produce them.
The total absence of respiratory sound in a 6
42
SIGNS OF OSCULTATION,
part, indicates that the air no longer penetrates there, either because something excludes its entry into the pulmonary tissue, or because this tissue is pushed away from the parietes of the chest by an effusion into the pleura. An ap- peal to the signs of percussion is here necessary to ascertain in what manner the lung is in- vaded or surrounded. If the sound on percus- sion remains natural, the obstruction is pro- bably situated in some of the bronchial branches leading to the part, whilst the vesicular texture contains its due quantity of air; if it is dull, there is liquid or solid effusion, either in the vesicular structure of the lung, or in the inter- vening pleural space ; but if it be clearer than usual, there is either emphysema of the lung, or an aeriform effusion in the pleura. The inquiry thus simplified can now be specifically directed to the distinctive characters of individual dis- eases, presenting either of these physical con- ditions.
Sometimes the sound of natural vesicular respiration is absent, and a kind of hissing bronchial respiration is heard instead. Now, as the sound of the passage of the air in the bronchial tubes cannot be usually heard through the spongy and ill-conducting vesicular texture, it must be supposed that either the bronchial respiration is louder than usual in these cases.
SOUNDS OF RESPIRATION. 43
or, that the tissue of the lung is, by some change, rendered a better conductor of sound. But in- creased loudness of the bronchial respiration would not explain the absence of the sound of the vesicular. Abandoning, therefore, this al- ternative, we shall find in the other an explana- tion of both modifications ; for a liquid or solid effusion, at the same time that it obstructs the entry of air into the cells, likewise so condenses the tissue as to enable it to transmit, from its interior, sounds that are not usually heard.
A sound, resembling that of tracheal respira- tion, is sometimes induced by disease, in parts where vesicular respiration alone is naturally heard ; and this phenomenon is caused by the passage of the air in a cavern or ulcerated ca- vity communicating with the bronchi. The sound thus produced, which is called cavernous respiration, is so remarkable, and so like the blowing of air into any little hollow object, that the mind would at once, and, as it were in- stinctivelv, refer it to its true cause.
There is a remarkable class of sounds pro- duced by partial obstructions to the passage of the air through the bronchial ramifications. These sounds, which are called rhonchi*, may
*I prefer the Latin term rhonchus to the French role, and the English rollle ; for it both expresses the subject better, and is more accordant with the usual stylo of medical language. If an English term must be used,
44 SOUND OF RESPIRATION.
be divided into the dry and humid. The dry rhonchi are those sounds produced by the pas- sage of the air through bronchi, which have some part of their calibre contracted by a sub- stance more or less solid. This contraction may be produced by a partial tumefaction of the membranes of a bronchus, by the pressure of an adjacent tumour, or by some body, such as a por- tion of thick mucus, within its tube ; and the form and size of the isthmus, or contracted point, will determine the nature of the sound. Thus, we often hear an acute whistling sound, which is therefore called the sibilant rhonchus ; and as we know that such a sound may be produced by air passing through a small circular aperture*,
the word wheeze, adopted by the editor of the Medico-Chirurgical Review, is the least exceptionable. To that editor the profession is, and, in course of time, will hold itself indebted for the candid and philosophical spirit, in which he, at an early period, recognised and proclaimed the advantages of auscultation.
* It must be observed, that to produce a whistling sound by the pas- sage of air through a round aperture, there must be a certain proportion between the velocity of the air and the size of the aperture. I may re- mark here, that I think Dr. Forbes mistaken in translating sibilant by the word hissing. The rhonchus, called here sibilant, and frequently pointed out to me by Laennec as such, is a perfect whistle ; whilst the sound of bronchial respiration has more of the hissing character. Hissing and whistling, however, approach each other in their physical cause ; the principal difference consisting in the more forcible passage of air through a more flattened orifice in the former. The two terms are identified in Latin and in French by the words sibilare and siffler. The English have now so set apart the former, as a powerful means of expression, from the latter, which may be made by no means contemptible for music, that they could not now well spare the distinction.
iuioxchi. 45
it may be supposed that a contraction of this kind causes it in this case.
The sonorous rhonchus, which sometimes re- sembles snoring, sometimes the buzzing of an insect, sometimes the bass note of a violoncello or bassoon, is rather produced by a flattened contraction in a bronchus of considerable size. This contraction, which leaves little- or no gap- ing aperture, throws the air passing through it into sonorous vibrations, after the manner of the reed of the hautboy, or the lips in blowing a horn or trumpet ; or, perhaps, the production of this sound is still more completely represented in the manner in which a celebrated ventrilo- quist imitates, with his lips, the buzzing of a
The dry mucous rhonchas may be said to be a coarse modification of the preceding. It re- sembles the sound of a click wheel ; and is produced by a portion of very viscid mucus attached to the interior of a bronchial tube, which yielding with a jerking resistance to the air forcing its passage, thereby causes a tick- ing sound. Such is, in fact, the analysis of the sonorous rhonchus; for it only requires that the air should pass more speedily, and the tickings be multiplied until they seem continuous, to convert the dry mucous into the sonorous rhonchus.
46 SOUNDS OF RESPIRATION.
The humid rhonchi arise from the presence of fluids in the bronchial tubes. The commonest, and the most obvious in its nature, is the mu- cous or bubbling rhonchus, a sound which the mind at once refers to the passage of air in bubbles through a liquid. It is more gurgling, coarse, and irregular, when situated in bronchial tubes of large size, because the bubbles are large and unequal. In the smaller order of bronchial tubes, on the other hand, it is more equal and minute. So we can perceive at once what kind of sound this rhonchus ought to have when in the trachea or in a cavity produced by disease. It is coarse and gurgling, in proportion to the size of the tube or cavity in which it is pro- duced, and the freedom with which the air passes through the liquid ; and, when presenting these conditions, the cavernous rhonchus, gar- gouittement, or mucous rhonchus of caverns, is one of the most remarkable and important signs discovered by auscultation. It would seem un- necessary to inquire further into the physical nature of the mucous rhonchus, were it not that the inquiry may enable us to distinguish some of its varieties from another rhonchus ; which distinction is an object of considerable impor- tance.
The sound of the mucous rhonchus depends on the bursting of successive bubbles of air which
MUCOUS RHONCHUS. 47
pass through a liquid. A bubble is a portion of air contained by a thin film of liquid, which pre- serves its continuity by virtue of its attraction of aggregation ; and the bursting of this bubble is the overcoming of the resistance of this power by some other, so that the air escapes. At the moment of its escape by the bursting of the film, its slight expansion communicates to the body of air, of which it is now become a part, an impulse which, if sufficiently forcible, pro- duces a sound. Now this impulse will be forcible in proportion to the resistance offered by the film of liquid at the moment of its rup- ture, and will therefore be greatest when the bursting force is applied so quickly and sud- denly that it meets with the full resistance of the newly formed film, undiminished by the ex- tenuating power of gravitation.
Now the bubbles of the mucous rhonchus are both formed and burst by the respiratory move- ments driving air through the liquid in the bronchial canals ; and they will therefore pro- duce most sound in those bronchi through which the air passes most quickly. These are, of course, the bronchi of larger order. If the liquid be thin and watery, the bubbles pass, and burst in quick succession, with an irregular and more or less gurgling sound ; but if it be viscid they are fewer in number, and may be carried
48 SOUNDS OF RESPIRATION*
on in the tube some way before they burst; and the sound is therefore diffused more regular, and rare. The quantity of liquid present in the bronchi may, in some measure, be estimated by the continuance of the rhonchus. If this ac- company only the first part of inspiration and the end of expiration, the liquid must be scanty, for it only interferes with the air when the tubes are in their contracted state : But if the whole of the respiratory act, even_ to the acme of in- spiration, is attended with the bubbling sound, then it must be apprehended that the quantity of liquid is considerable, and extends to the small bronchi.
A little liquid in the smaller bronchial tubes produces the submucous rhonchus, a kind in which the bubbles are fine and more crepitant ; but they often intermit, and in a full breath are diminished to a slight roughness, accompanying the respiratory murmur.
The rhonchi of which I have yet spoken, with the exception of the submucous, are ge- nerally produced in bronchial ramifications, of above or about the size of a crow's quill ; it is in those below these, or perhaps in the necks of the bunches of vesicles themselves that the crepitant rhonchus has its seat. This is like- wise a bubbling rhonchus > but it is physically and pathologically different from all the others
CREPITANT RHOXCHUS. 49
The sound is a gentle crepitation, uniform and continuing to the end of inspiration. It is compared by Laennec to the crepitation of salt by heat, and the resemblance is pretty exact when common grain salt of commerce is thrown on a heated iron. It may also be tolerably re- presented by rubbing transversely between the fingers and thumb a lock of one's hair close to the ear. It is probable that in the cases in which the crepitating rhonchus is present, the calibre of the last bronchial division is so much diminished (by the interstitial effusion) that the air cannot pass through them, without raising the mucus, more or less viscid, into bubbles ; which, being uniformly small, and bursting regularly, produce a continued succes- sion of minute crepitations. The more viscid the mucus, the more distinct is the crepitant character of the rhonchus. It is perfectly so in the crepitant rhonchus of pneumonia. In pulmonary apoplexy and oedema, on the other hand, the liquid of the bronchi is thinner, and the rhonchus being less perfect in its crepita- tion, is accordingly called subcrepitant.
Thus the rhonchi give positive and direct indications of the state of the bronchial tubes ; nor can these suffer materially without either altered secretion or change in calibre producing one or other of these rhonchi. Respiration thus
RABY
50 AUSCULTATION OF THE COUGH.
modified is generally more noisy than when free, and a rhonchus, particularly the 'sibilant or sonorous, may often be heard through the spongy texture of a whole lung. This does not, however, prevent the natural respiration of the healthy parts from being heard : for as long as two sounds differ in nature, the louder will not drown the weaker, unless the dispro- portion be great. For example, the sound of respiration may be heard although a much louder sibilant rhonchus accompany it: and a deep seated rhonchus crepitans can often be distinguished in spite of the respiratory mur- mur immediate^ below the stethoscope. We frequently hear a mixture of several rhonchi, occupying adjacent tubes ; and it sometimes requires considerable attention to separate and recognize them.
The modification of respiration which con- stitutes cough, may often be consulted with advantage when the sounds produced in the ordinary respiratory act are doubtful or in- distinct. Cough consists of a sudden and for- cible expiration, succeeded by a deep but quick inspiration. Now as in this case the passage of the air is more forcible and perfect, the sounds produced by it must likewise be ren- dered more distinct than in common respira- tion ; and not unfrequently cough may force
AUSCULTATION OF THE VOICE. 51
•
air through bronchi, too much obstructed to admit it by the common respiratory effort. The cough may, of course, be modified in the same way as common respiration ; and may, therefore, be accompanied by the sibilant, sono- rous, crepitant and mucous rhonchi. It disco- vers the existence of caverns more unequivo- cally than common respiration does, whether the caverns be empty and yield only the hollow resonance of air blowing in them, or whether, containing a liquid, they are the seat of the gurg- ling cavernous rhonchus.
The voice is another source of signs by which the auscultator may judge of the state of the lungs. The sound of the voice, although pro- duced in the larynx, is propagated to the air in the trachea and bronchial tubes*, as out-
* I do not at all concur in M. Laennec's opinion, that the bronchial tree is a part of the instrument that originates the sound of the voice ; for if it were so, disease would affect the voice in a very different manner from what we find to be the case. The hepatization of a lung, or its compression by a pleuretic effusion should in that case raise its tone to a treble. I have often known them to exist without changing it at all. It is true that large ulcerous excavations do sometimes render the voice deep and hollow ; but this is because the want of breath prevents the patient from contracting the glottis sufficiently to produce more acute tones. To receive as much air as possible to fill the healthy cells, as well as the vast excavations in which it is wasted, the glottis either contracts only enough to produce a low bass note, or does not contract at all, and the patient then speaks in a whisper. I conceive that the trachea and bronchi, besides supplying the air for the production of the voice in the larynx, act something after the manner of a sounding board in musical instruments, reverberating and giving fulness to the voice, but not essen- tially producing or changing its diapason.
52 AUSCULTATION OF THE VOICE.
wardly it is communicated to that in the mouth and beyond it. Accordingly, if we listen with the stethoscope applied to the trachea or upper part of the sternum, we hear the voice through the instrument, and louder than by the other ear, inasmuch as the voice is outwardly diffused in a large space, but there confined within a narrow tube. If the stethoscope be applied to those parts of the chest under which pass bron- chial tubes of considerable size, the voice will be heard there likewise, but it is not so loud, and its articulation is less distinct. Over smaller branches, the articulation is still further con- fused, and the voice is heard only in a diffused resonance. In the vesicular structure they are both lost, and over this a slight fremitus, which the voice produces throughout the chest, can alone be heard. The vocal resonance does not extend to the smaller bronchi, because they do not afford sufficient space for its vibrations ; and also, because their less tense and more membranous tunics are ill adapted to reflect sound.
The vesicular texture is, as we have already seen, a very bad conductor of sound ; hence it prevents the vocal resonance in the bronchi from being transmitted to the parietes of the chest; except in those parts where bronchi of some size pass close to the surface. It
AUSCULTATION OF THE VOICE. 53
therefore appears that different parts of the chest will present to the auscultator some varieties of this vocal resonance, and it is important that he should be acquainted with them.
When the stethoscope is applied to the larynx or trachea, the voice seems to enter the instrument as loudly as if the speaker's mouth were applied to it. This phenomenon scarcely ever exists to its full extent in any part of the chest unless in a state of disease ; and it is there- fore useful to distinguish between it and the natural bronchophony, which is to be heard un- der and near the upper partof the sternum, in the upper part of the axilla, and in the intersca- pular space. In these situations, the voice is generally louder than that which, proceeding from the mouth, strikes the other ear, but the words seem to be at the end of the tube, and not as in lary?2gophony, to pass through it into the ear. Such is the impression, and although it is illusory, and arises only from a difference in the body of sound, it should be attended to, as enabling us to make an important distinc- tion.
The degree of rocal resonance in the chest differs considerably in different individuals, and the causes of this difference are not obscure. It is loudest, and most distinct and extensive in
54 AUSCULTATION OF THE VOICE,
those persons that are thin, and have a sharp treble voice ; and if these circumstances exist in a great degree, the natural bronchophony may extend to the mesial parts of the scapular, infra- clavian, and mammary regions, whilst in the usual places it almost amounts to laryngophony. It is therefore remarkable in young subjects and in females; In those, on the other hand, whose chests are well clothed with muscles and fat, and whose voices are deep, the natural bronchophony is obscure and confined. The vibrations of deep notes cannot be extended to very narrow tubes, because there is not space for their play ; and this explains the difference resulting from the tone of voice, and suggests that a change of tone in the same individual ma}r considerably vary the bronchophonic re- sonance. In all other parts of the chest there is either no resonance, or only that slight vibra- tory fremitus or thrill that may likewise be felt on the application of the hand to the parietes during the exercise of the voice. This vibra- tion, which accompanies deep tones more than others, is produced by the transmission of the sound, not through the bronchial tubes, but through the common substance of the lung, and is so slight as not to obscure other signs to any extent.
Disease may produce vocal resonance of
PKCTORILOQUV. 55
either kind, in parts where it does not naturally exist. In degree equal to laryngophony, this accidental resonance is called perfect pecto- riloquy ; and when it simulates the natural resonance under the sternum, it is imperject pec- toriloquy.
These symptoms are produced by unnatural cavities in the substance of the lung, to which the sound of the voice is propagated through the bronchi ; and their presence is a certain proof of the existence of such cavities. When the stethoscope is applied to a part of the chest under which lies one of these cavities, the words which the patient utters seem to proceed from that spot ; hence the term pectoriloquy. The distinction between perfect and imperfect pectoriloquy is, as in the case of natural reson- ance, whether the voice seems to traverse the tube, or to remain at the end ; and the physical difference producing the two modifications, con- sists in the size and situation of the cavity. The most perfect pectoriloquy is produced in cavities of moderate size, which are situated near the surface of the lung, and freely com- municate with a large bronchial tube. If the cavity be deep seated, or if its communication with the bronchi be imperfect, the resonance of the voice will not amount to perfect pecto- riloquy. True pectoriloquy, produced by a ca-
56 AUSCULTATION OF THE VOICE.
tity, is generally .abruptly circumscribed, so that its limits can be distinctly traced.
Pectoriloquy may be considered a certain in- dication of a cavity (almost always tubercular,) whenever occurring in those parts of the chest where there is naturally no bronchial reson- ance. When it is heard in the other parts, it is more doubtful, but even there, if it be perfect, distinctly circumscribed, and heard so on one side only, it leaves very little room for doubt.
There is another way in which the vocal resonance may become a sign of disease. As we have noticed that bronchial respiration may become audible by the condensation of the in- tervening portion of vesicular tissue; so the same cause may transmit to the surface a bronchophony, which in the healthy state is confined by the surrounding ill-conducting tissue. Hence inflammation, oedema, tuber- cular and sanguineous infiltration are often at- tended with an accidental bronchophony- Ac- cidental bronchophony frequently diners from that existing naturally in certain parts of the chest ; but of this difference, and of that called cegophony I shall hereafter speak.
The sputa, in pulmonary diseases, although the signs which they give are not the directly physical effect of the lesions, yet furnish often such certain indications, and have frequently
EXPECTORATION- 57
such distinctive characters, that, when consulted together with the physical signs, they assist in a most essential manner in pointing out the nature of a disease. I have, therefore, in all my de- scriptions of the pathology and signs, referred to the character of the secretion of the bronchi, whenever expectoration presents it to our view. Such is the general view that I would give of the physical signs of the state of the lungs ; and as all the phenomena noticed have been found susceptible of explanation according to the laws of acoustics, we shall not meet with any greater difficulty when examining them more minutely as the signs of particular diseases. And by thus studying auscultation, not in the manner of vague and unguided experience, la- borious to acquire, and burthensome to recol- lect, but, by a rational examination of its fun- damental principles, and an application of these to individual cases, the student will be enabled to understand as well as know the physical signs of a healthy and diseased state, and to avail himself of these for the elucidation of dis- eases of the lungs, and for the suggestion of means for their cure.
Section II J. — On the auscultation of the Heart.
The signs that are produced by the action of the heart I have found neither so certain in
8
58 AUSCULTATION OF THE HEART.
their indications, nor so intelligible in their cau- ses as those which I have hitherto described ; and I have, therefore, deemed it proper to post- pone any attempt to include them within the plan of this work, until more extensive observa- tion and study shall have supplied the desired intelligence. All that I shall at present intro- duce on the subject is a short exposition of a few signs which experience seems to have proved to be unequivocal.
The sound produced by muscular contraction was first noticed by Dr. Wollaston. It may be exemplified by applying the palm of the hand to the ear, and at the same time moving the fingers. There is then heard a rumbling sound, like the rolling of a carriage on pavement, ac- companied by a metallic tinkling. The tinkling is only a resonant echo produced in the in- ternal meatus* ; it is the rumbling sound that is produced by the contraction of the muscles, and is the same that in different degrees ac- companies every instance of regular muscular action.
Without attempting the difficult task of ex- plaining the manner in which sound is thus ge- nerated, we shall here content ourselves with the fact. It occurs in the contraction of the heart, and constitutes the sound of pulsation,
* See the Section on Pneumothorax.
AUSCULTATION OF THE HEART. 59
which is heard in the precordial region. This sound is double, and consists of a dull, slow noise, immediately followed by a short quick one, to which succeeds a short interval of si- lence. The fir;>t sound is produced by the con- traction of the ventricles, and is synchronous with the pulse ; the second is caused by the contraction of the auricles, and in the succeed- ing interval both are at rest. Laennec rates the average measure of these, in ordinary pulsations to be — the contraction of the ventricles lasts two-fourths ; that of the auricles, one-fourth ; and the interval of rest one-fourth of the whole period of a pulsation.*
The sound of pulsation is naturally loudest in the praecordium, that is, the space between the cartilages of the fourth and seventh ribs of the left side, and on the lower part of the sternum ; the former part corresponding with the left, and the latter with the right side of the heart. In persons of middling stoutness, and healthy pro- portions, the sound scarcely extends beyond this region ; in very fat persons it is still more limit- ed ; but in thin persons the pulsations may often be heard in other parts of the chest ; ?nd in
* Or, noted musically, a crochet, a quaver, and a quaver rest in a bar. I think the auricular sound bears a shorter proportion ; and we shall b« more exact if, changing the measure, we note it a dotted crotchet, a qua- ver and a crotchet reet.
60 AUSCULTATION OF THE HEART.
these cases the sound will diminish in the fol- lowing order of parts ; the left side from the axilla to the situation of the stomach ; the right anterior and lateral regions ; the left posterior regions ; and lastly, where it is rarely heard, the right posterior regions. If there is any devia- tion from this order, it may be concluded that there is either something unusual about the heart producing the sound, or about the circum- jacent organs transmitting it.
Besides the sound, there is an impulse or shock communicated by the stethoscope to the ear during the contraction of the ventricles. This impulse is felt only in the precordial re- gion, and if the sternum be short, sometimes in the epigastrium.
Such are the common phenomena disco- vered by auscultation in the healthy and mo- derate action of the heart. The following are the most remarkable effects produced by dis- ease :
Simple dilatation increases the loudness and extent of the pulsations, but diminishes the im- pulse that accompanies them. Simple hyper- trophy increases the impulse, and diminishes the sound of the pulsations. Hypertrophy and di- latation equally conjoined, or active aneurism, increase both the impulse and the sound in de- gree and in extent ; but such an equal com-
AUSCULTATION OF THE HEART. 61
bination seldom exists, and the prevailing dis- ease is generally most apparent by its effects, to which some of the others may be superadded. Thus, in hypertrophy, with slight dilatation, the degree and extent of impulse may be increased, whilst the sound is diminished in degree, but more diffused in extent, &c. If any of these symptoms are heard more on one side of the praecordia than on the other, it is to be con- cluded that the disease lies chiefly in that side of the heart. The ventricles are the most usual seat of disease, but the auricles not unfrequently suffer also, and then the signs of derangement are more perceptible in the upper part of the precordial region. When the auricles are di- lated, their sound can often be heard as well under the clavicles as in the praecordia. A va- riety of irregularities may occur in the rythm of pulsation of the different parts of the heart.
Besides the sounds produced in the contrac- tion of the auricles and ventricles, there some- times occur concomitant sounds of a peculiar kind ; apparently produced by some derange- ment in the action of the heart or large vessels. Such are the murmur follis, murmur limte, pur- ring fremitus, tyc. These are not only heard in the region of the heart, but sometimes also along the course of large arteries. Laennec considered them to be of the nature of sounds
62 AUSCULTATION OF THE HEART.
produced by muscular contraction, in these cases of spasmodic nature, affecting the heart or arteries in which the symptom is perceived. I am myself disposed to think that were we better acquainted with the laws of the produc- tion of sound, we might find that it may be ex- cited by the motion of liquids, as well as*by that of air, in or against solids of a particular form ; and that we might find a more satisfactory ex- planation of the phenomena in question in the moving mass of blood being thrown into sonor- ous vibration by some modification in its course. Such a modification might be produced by thick- ening or irregularity in one of the valves of the heart, or by spasmodic action of some of the co- lumns carnese ; by any obstacle in the calibre of an artery, &c. : and these causes might, as in the analogous case of air, render the passage of the blood sonorous, instead of, as it usually is, silent.
These are but conjectures ; but the at- tempts of others to explain these phenomena have not assumed more certain form. I leave this subject, therefore, having introduced it here, only because, as in practical auscultation, the sounds produced by the heart will often, al- though not the specific object of examination, contrive to force themselves on the attention.
Having made ourselves acquainted with the general acoustic economy of the chest, we have
IMMEDIATE AUSCULTATION. 63
now to consider the manner in which we may practically avail ourselves of this knowledge in the auscultation of particular diseases.
All the acoustic phenomena of the chest may be heard by the simple application of the ear to its parietes. Jn this immediate method of auscul- tation, the sound is communicated through the parietes of the chest to the air in the hollow of the external ear and meatus, which being ex- cluded from the access of all other sounds, re- ceives, in unmodified intensity, every vibration that emanates from the chest. This method has the advantage of being simple, expeditious, and easily acquired ; but it likewise has disadvan- tages, which render it less eligible than mediate auscultation. The direct application of the ear tojJie chest would in some cases be indelicate, and in others disgusting ; and it is imprac- ticable in some parts, as the axilla, and at the junction of the clavicle and humerus. More- over, its indications are more equivocal than those obtained by the stethoscope ; for, besides extraneous noises, produced by the friction of the hair and clothes, sounds of neighbouring parts, transmitted by the mastoid and zygomatic projections and other parts of the side of the head, in contact with the chest, are likewise sometimes heard in a confused manner, and obscure the immediate object of examination
64 MEDIATE AUSCULTATION.
These objections, which Laennec has pointed out, I consider of sufficient weight to authorize our preference of the stethoscope in general practice. I have, nevertheless, not forsworn immediate auscultation ; and in cases requiring little nicety of examination I often avail my- self of the greater ease and celerity of this me- thod, particularly in exploring the posterior parts of the chest, where the application of the stethoscope requires a somewhat tedious caution.
The stethoscope is an acoustic instrument employed in the auscultation of the chest. Al- though its construction is simple, and its appli- cation easy, yet I think we shall lose nothing by giving a little attention to analyze its physi- cal office, and render intelligible the principles of its use. When we bring to the aid of our senses artificial instruments, we can neither perfect their construction, nor fully avail our- selves of their application, without a know- ledge of the physical principles on which they assist our organs. No one can make a proper use of the microscope or telescope without understanding the laws of optics ; and I hold that the easiest, the most agreeable, and the most certain road to a knowledge of stethoscopic phenomena, is through a study of acoustics. The sounds heard by auscultation are seve-
THE STETHOSCOPE. 65
ral in nature and in origin. Those of the voice and respiration are produced in air ; that is, air is the vibrating medium ; the sounds accompa- nying the motions of the heart, on the other hand, originate in a solid or liquid. This cir- cumstance suggests the expediency of varying the conductor, according to the principle for- merly pointed out, that a sound is most effec- tually transmitted by bodies of the same density as that in which it is produced. Again, some sounds, as that of respiration, are diffused and weak, and by concentration may be made more distinctly audible ; while others, as those of the voice, are produced in a circumscribed spot, and are loud enough in themselves.
Now we shall find that all these differences may be met by a little modification of the same instrument. First, let us take a solid cylinder, which shall be excellent in conducting power, and particularly of density approaching to that of the contents of the chest, from which origi- nate the sounds to be conducted. Nothing will better fulfil this end than wood, of light sub- stance, but with considerable rigidity of longi- tudinal fibre. Deal, which on account of a modification of the same property, is pre-emi- nently useful in the construction of musical instruments, most completely answers to this character ; and cedar possesses, in addition, the 9
66 THE STETHOSCOPE.
advantage of elegance. With a solid cylinder of cedar, then, of convenient size, say ten or twelve inches long, and one inch and a half in diameter, we shall best be enabled to hear all those sounds that originate in solids. If this cylinder be perforated longitudinally through the centre, by a hole a quarter of an inch in dia- meter, this central canal will be well suited to transmit sounds that originate in air in circum- scribed spots. To concentrate the diffused sounds, and to expedite the examination by making the stethoscope take in as large an ex- tent of surface at a time as possible, this cy- linder is hollowed out at one end into a conical cavity, the apex of which terminates in the central canal ; so that all the sounds that enter the excavated end are reflected up into this canal, which conveys them to the ear. To re- convert this into a simply perforated cylinder, a perforated plug or stopper is adapted, of size and form exactly c orresponding with the coni- cal excavation. Thus contrived, the stethoscope is adapted to transmit sounds to the ear, either by conduction, along the fibres of the wood, or by reflection, through the central canal.
Such are the general principles of the con- struction of the stethoscope ; for more particulars I must refer to the plate and its accompanying explanation.
THE STETHOSCOPE. <57
We have had occasion to remark that aus- cultation with the stethoscope requires more practice and attention than auscultation with the naked ear; but this slight addition of trou- ble will be more than repaid by the greater dis- tinctness and certainty of its indications. It does not suffice that the stethoscope should be resorted to only where delicacy forbids the prac- tice of immediate auscultation ; for it will be of little use to the person whose ear is not con- stantly accustomed to it. By using the stetho- scope habitually, we obtain all the advantages of universal applicability and distinct indica- tions, that it presents, without losing those of greater ease and celerity, which if particular instances should render them of paramount im- portance, are still open to us in immediate auscultation.
A little well-regulated practice in the use of the stethoscope is worth a volume of directions and cautions. By this the observing student will soon find how necessary it is to keep the instrument closely applied both to the chest of the patient and to his own ear, so that there be no communication between the interior of the tube and the external air ; to hold it in such a manner, by the end near the chest, that no ex- traneous sound be communicated by friction of contiguous clothes or otherwise ; to avoid pres-
68 THE STETHOSCOPE.
sing so hard upon it as to produce pain, or interfere with the respiratory movements ; to avoid too stooping or constrained a posture, which may cause tinnitus aurium, and render hearing obtuse ; and to conduct his examina- tion of the series of signs with as little fatigue to the patient as the case will permit.
The patient should not have over the chest more than a single garment of linen or cotton, and this should be kept smooth under the in- strument. To explore the anterior and lateral regions the patient may be either seated on a chair, or lying near the edge of a bed : the examination of the back must be effected in the sitting posture with the body bent forwards. It is always the best plan to change sides in order to examine the opposite side of the chest, and not lean across, unless it be for the compa- rison of corresponding points on both sides, where it is important that the two impressions should succeed quickly to each other. The attentive student will soon find how far these precautions are necessary ; and to what degree tact, furnished by experience, may supersede or modify them.
It is generally expedient to follow a particular order or method in conducting a physical exami- nation of the chest. I usually begin with per- cussion, first on the clavicles, then on the ante-
EXAMINATION OF PHYSICAL SIGNS. 69
rior parts of the chest, proceeding from above downwards ; next on the lateral portions, begin- ning at the axilla, which are exposed by the pa- tient raising his arm up to his head. The same parts are then examined, in like order, by the stethoscope, with due attention to the indications just obtained by percussion. For the percus- sion of the posterior part of th e chest, the pa- tient must sit with his head bowed forwards, and his arms crossed over his breast ; and after due care in exercising percussion in this more obscure region, the easier test of auscultation may be practised.
For exploring the respiration, cough, and most of the rhonchi, the stethoscope should be used without its stopper. The signs of the voice are least equivocal, when heard with the stopper in, and to .determine the extent of a rhonchus cavernosus, or crepitans, or of a bronchial respiration, it is often useful to resort to the instrument in this form. The heart is examined in the same manner ; but when it is wished to hear the sound of pulsation without the impulse, the stopper should be taken out.
The physical examination of the chest, when adroitly and systematically conducted, is not nearly so tedious as might be imagined, and it is surprising with what ease and expedition it may be performed after some experience. A
70 EXAMINATION OF PHYSICAL SIGNS.
few minutes will, in a majority of cases, suffice to furnish us with information far more certain than can be obtained in any other way ; and, in cases of obscurity and difficulty, a much longer time devoted to it should not be considered as thrown away. But in all cases time should be deemed of much lower value than a true know- ledge of the disease ; and I hold it to be the duty of the conscientious physician to consider this, and the employment of curative measures founded upon it, as the paramount objects of his care,
" Prudens interrogatio dimidium est sci- entise ;" and if its application to medicine does not, at the outset, always obtain the desired end, it is only through its means that we can hope to place medicine on a footing with other sciences, and render the art in any degree cer- tain and effective.
PART II.
OF THE PHYSICAL SIGNS OF DISEASES OF THE LUNGS AND PLEURA.
Hitherto we have considered physical signs only with relation to the natural, or physical state, and the general pathology of the lungs ; it now becomes our task to study the forms or characters that individual diseases present to the auscultator. To understand the physical signs of a disease, it is quite obvious that we must be acquainted with its pathological characters ; for they are naturally inseparable : and I view it as not among the least advantages of phy- sical examination, that it directs our attention through a confusing crowd of uncertain and equivocal symptoms of general derangement, to that substantial and primary lesion, which, if not the starting point of all, is that against which our practical efforts are the most required.
My object will be, not to enter into minute details of pathology and morbid anatomy ; but as far as my own observations and those of others will enable me, to explain the general phy- sical nature of the changes which, in individual
72 ACUTE BRONCHITIS.
diseases, modify the acoustic relations of the lungs and pleura. I shall generally confine the text to pathology, properly so called, but I shall not omit to append, in form of notes, a descrip- tion of the general morbid appearances found after death, by a comparison of which with the physical signs during life, the real nature of a disease is to be known. I begin with the dis- eases affecting the air tubes of the lungs.
CHAP. I. Section I.— Bronchitis.
The pathological cause of bronchitis, or pul- monary catarrh, is an inflammation and alter- ed secretion of the mucous membrane of the bronchia. There are several varieties, and, per- haps, even species of this disease ; but as they pass insensibly into each other, and as the phy- sical signs of all are frequently combined in one, I shall comprehend in this section their general description.
Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bronchi at first causes tumefaction and partial obstruction of their calibre. This partial ob- struction, or constriction, when it occurs in individual points, modifies the passage of air through the bronchial tubes, and, producing vibrations, converts these tubes into instruments of music. If the whole periphery of a portion of a tube be tumified, the constriction is cir-
PATHOLOGY AND SIGNS. 73
cular, and the air passing through it produces a whistling sound. This constitutes the rhonchus sabilans. If the tumefaction be unequal, so that the constricted portion preserves a flattened aperture, then a sound is produced after the manner of reed instruments, or, rather, of the horn or trumpet, by the rapid alternate com- pression and dilatation of the air passing be- tween two vibrating lamina?, or surfaces. Such, I conceive, is the rationale of the rhonchus sonorus. The extent of the constriction, its situation, and the secretion lubricating the tube, will variously modify the note and tone. The larger bronchial tubes alone can produce deep or bass notes ; but it is plain that they may also yield high ones. When a deep rhonchus sonorus is produced in a bronchus near the sur- face of the lung, it communicates a slight vibra- tion to the corresponding paries of the thorax, which maj' be felt by the hand. This mecha- nical vibration is often perceived internally by the patient himself, although he does not hear the sound that produces it.
The sonorous and sibilant rhonchi, then, we find to be the first physical signs of pulmonary catarrh, and these are sometimes present be- fore the cough becomes pronounced, and while the general symptoms only indicate a nasal coryza. As the inflammation attacks .the larger 10
74 ACUTE BRONCHITIS.
bronchial ramifications first, the rhonchus is usually grave, and frequently resembles the pro- longed note of a violoncello, and sometimes the cooing of a dove.
After a while the inflamed membrane begins to secrete a thinnish saline tasted liquid, which at first mellows the sound of the rhonchi, but afterwards increasing, interrupts it by the for- mation of a bubble, which momentarily stops the vibrations, and then bursts. These bubbles increase in number as the secretion increases, and are at last produced in such a continuous succession, that the sound of the former rhonchi ceases, and is replaced by a new one produced by the successive formation and rupture of bubbles in the air tubes. This is the mucous or bubbling rhonchus. In the larger bronchi the mucous rhonchus is composed of bubbles of un- equal size, causing a gurgling sound ; but in the smaller tubes the bubbles are more uni- formly small, and the rhonchus may be called finer : they are, still, however, somewhat un- equal ; and even when in the extreme bronchi they can be distinguished to be liquid bubbles, and quite different from the uniform dry cre- pitation that constitutes the rhonchus cre- pitans. J have been minute in this descrip- tion, because the distinction is important, as on it depends the diagnosis between an acute
PATHOLOGY A XI) SIGNS. 75
pulmonary catarrh, and the first stage of pneu- monia*.
The next modification in the rhonchus is pro- duced by the thickening of the mucus con- tained in the air passages. This change, which usually diminishes the severity of the cough, is marked by the mucous rhonchus becoming drier and more sluggish, from the resistance opposed to the air in passing through the inspissated liquid. This resistance increases with the in- creasing spissitude of the mucus, and some- times amounts to a complete obstruction of the tube ; and in this case the sound of respiration ceases in the part supplied by it. More fre- quently, as the mucus becomes thick, its quan- tity is diminished, and then it only partially obstructs the tube. This straitening of the
* An ignorance of this distinction, and of the elements of the rhonchus crepitans, seems to have given rise to M. Andral's assertion, (Clin. Med. t. ii.) that this rhonchus may be produced by a simple acute bronchitis ; an opinion, as M. Laennec remarks, supported by no observation ; and, I may add, perhaps attributable to his having neglected the efficient clini- cal instructions of the great inventor of auscultation. Let not this expres- sion of opinion be construed into a want of deference towards M. AndraL I have been witness of the devoted zeal of this able pathologist, I have watched his labours, and let me add, with sentiments of real gratitude, 1 have profited by his instructions ; and were I required to name a maa whose indefatigable industry is worthy of imitation, whose talented mind commands admiration, while his amiable deportment ensures esteem, and to the fruit of whose labour we may look for the advancement of medical science — the name of Andral would gladly be brought to my lips.
76 ACUTE BRONCHITIS.
calibre may cause a rhonchus, and being soft and incapable of vibration itself, the sound pro- duced is a whistle, in which air is the only vi- brating body. Occasionally, however, at this period of the catarrh a ticking sound is heard, like that produced by the click wheel of a small clock. This is caused by a pellet of thick mucus at the orifice of a bronchial ramification, which acts like a loose valve, yielding, in suc- cessive jerks, to the air pressing for passage. A change in the force of respiration may much modify these several sounds. Thus, the for- cible expiration and inspiration accompanying a cough may produce the clicking sound, or even the rhonchus sibilans, in a tube which, in ordinary respiration, is totally obstructed with mucus ; it may convert the clicking into sibila- tion, and this into the simple sound of the passage of the air ; the obstacles yielding, in all these cases, to the increased force of the pass- ing air. It is therefore useful to avail ourselves of this simple mode in our examination ; for, on desiring the patient to cough, the nature of the obstruction may frequently be made apparent by the momentary presence of one of the above signs.
The uncertainty in which the signs of auscul- tation sometimes leave us is completely removed by percussion. The sonorousness of the chest
PROGNOSIS. 77
is never sensibly impaired by catarrh ; and, accordingly, the partial suspension of the re- spiration in a part of the chest, in this disease, cannot be erroneously ascribed to hepatization, or an effusion in the pleura.
The extent, as well as the seat of the catarrh, may be determined by the rhonchi. These are usually confined to a portion of one lung, and the disease is not dangerous ; but if they occupy a large extent of both lungs, there may be considerable danger, the fever and dyspnoea being very great. Cases of this kind proving fatal, are, in this country, erroneously consider- ed peripneumonic. In some cases of continued fever the rhonchi indicate a catarrh in every part of the lungs : they are the sibilant, sono- rous, and mucous rhonchi ; and when thus mix- ed, Laennec used to designate them rhonchus canorics. Their presence may be considered a very unfavourable sign, and is seldom indicated by the cough or other symptoms, being, as it were, masked by the general affection of the system. In general, an acute catarrh is more dangerous in proportion to the age of the pa- tient, and this probably depends on the differ- ent capability of dilatation in the pulmonary tissue ; being greater in young subjects, it per- mits supplementary respiration in the healthy parts to supply the defect of the diseases. Be-
78 CHRONIC BRONCHITIS.
sides these, as in all diseases obstructing the respiratory function, the dyspnoea (and hence the danger,) will be great in proportion as this function is naturally or constitutionally active in the individual.
If the catarrh terminates in cure, the expec- toration becomes thicker, and more concocted, as the ancients termed it. It is voided without irritation, in rounded, distinct pellets, consist- ing of an opake, greenish mucus. These and the cough diminish, and are confined to the morning, after waking, and a few times in the evening, and at last cease altogether.
But, if neglected, the catarrh may assume a chronic form. The cough and expectoration then continuing, the latter is usually at first of the same quality as at the termination of the acute stage, but it sometimes becomes diffluent, less viscid, and of a dirty brownish colour. After a while, it frequently is mixed with pus, and sometimes becomes completely purulent, pre- senting all varieties in odour and consistence that pus, from other sources, offers. To these are sometimes added shortness of breath, hectic fever, night sweats, emaciation, and, in short, all the rational symptoms of phthisis.
Deprived, as we are, of the means of diag- nosis by these fallacious signs, let us endeavour to supply the defect by appealing to the phy-
PHYSICAL SIGNS, 79
sical indications. And here let me caution the young auscultator against too perfect a confi- dence in his examinations, and too hasty a con- clusion from their results. As the diagnosis is important, so is it often difficult.
The symptoms heard by the ear in chronic catarrh, are the mucous rhonchus, in most of its varieties, shifting and intermitting from time to time, and, occasionally the sibilant, the pre- sence of which is explained by the sputa ; the sound of respiration, sometimes diminished, but usually unimpaired, or even puerile*; and the chest, on percussion, yields a clear sound. It will be perceived that all these signs are n ega- tive, and none of them characteristic of this mo- dification of catarrh. It is therefore in the ab- sence of the signs hereafter to be described, as
* The presence of the dyspnoea, in these cases, where there is no ob- stacle to the entrance of air into the lungs, nay, where the puerile res- piration shews it to be more perfect than usual, is ascribed by Laennec to an increased " besoin de respirer." In the present instance, however, I see nothing more in this explanation than an expression of the fact. There is nothing in the state of the system that indicates the want of an increased activity in the respiratory function. The quantity and quality of the urine, and the other excretions, may be taken as pretty correct criteria of the extent of the chemical changes by respiration. 1 think, that we must look rather to the change in the nature of the bronchial mucus for an explana- tion of the point in question. I have elsewhere (Trans, of Med. Chir. Soc. ofEdin., vol. ii. p. 100.) pointed out an important part which this mucus performs in assisting the action of the air on the blood. It is easy to con- ceive how a diseased state may unfit it for this office, and impair the chem- ical function of respiration, however perfectly the mechanical part be per- formed.
80 CHRONIC BRONCHITIS.
peculiar to phthisis, that we must recognise the character of chronic catarrh. As, however, ne- gative are weaker than positive proofs, so must they be multiplied to be rendered certain. Jf, after having repeatedly examined the patient, at different hours during several weeks, there are found no gurgling cavernous rhonchus, no cavernous respiration, no pectoriloquy, and no constant absence of the respiratory murmur, and of the sound on percussion, then, in spite of the general symptoms, we may, with tolerable certitude, pronounce the disease to be simply pulmonary catarrh, and a still further multipli- cation of examinations will remove all doubt*.
The long continuance of chronic catarrh may entail an organic change in the lung, which will almost destroy all distinction between its signs and those of tubercular phthisis. The bronchi, long the seat of chronic inflammation, and ex- posed to the straining influence of repeated paroxysms of cough, become hypertrophied and dilated.
I offer this explanation in preference to the
* This passage I have given nearly in the words of the illustrious dis- coverer of auscultation ; yet, aware as he was of the attention required in the examination, and of the falibility of a hasty judgment, I have more than once seen himself give proof in point by the failure of a premature diagno- sis. If then, one, from knowledge and experience so profoundly acquainted with his subject, was through inadvertency, led into error, how much more circumspect should they be who have not his experienced tact, and his talent for improving observation.
DILATED BRONCHI. 81
opinion of Laennec, that the bronchi are dilated by the accumulation of a thick mucus in them, for this reason— that the sign of such accumula- tion, namely, a suspension of the sound of re- spiration in the part is scarcely ever observed in chronic catarrh ; nay, the absence of this sign serves to distinguish the chronic from the acute disease. The dilatations are produced, I ap- prehend, in this manner: in the forcible expi- ration of coughing, the exit of the air is par- tially impeded by a coarctation of their calibre ; the air thus confined, therefore, sustains the partial pressure of the respiratory forces, and in its turn presses the yielding parietes of the bronchi against those portions of the surround- ing pulmonary tissue in which there is no ob- struction to the exit. This pressure, frequently repeated on membranes already modified by disease, ends in producing a permanent dilata- tion. In accordance with this explanation, these dilatations are chiefly produced where the fits of coughing are very violent and convulsive, as in pertussis and catarrhus senilis.
These dilatations, at different points in the course of the tubes, form cavities of various sizes, still lined with the mucous membrane, which can be traced from the undilated portions of the tubes. It can be easily conceived how ^hese cavities may give riste to pectoriloquy, 11
82 CHRONIC BRONCHITIS.
cavernous respiration, and most of the other phenomena by which a cavity from tuber- cular excavation is distinguished. The diag- nosis is, perhaps, in these cases, of less import- ance, as art has little power over either form of organic disease : but, when on the subject of phthisis, I will endeavour to point out some means of discrimination, available at least to the experienced stethoscopist.
Dilatation of the bronchi, when extensive, may produce habitual dyspnoea, by obliterating portions of the pulmonary texture.
Section II. — Pituitary Catarrh.
The varieties of catarrh, which Laennec terms from the nature of the expectoration, pituitary and dry catarrh, require to be noticed as far as they differ in their physical signs from mucous catarrhs.
In the pituitary catarrh, or humoral asthma, as some of our own practitioners have termed it, a thin, colourless, glary liquid, is secreted in abundance by the bronchial membrane. This flux comes on in paroxysms, attended with dyspnoea and cough, which are relieved by the expectoration of the liquid. It does not appear that the membrane becomes much tumified, unless occasionally by the co-existence of a slight degree of oedema. The dyspnoea and cough
PITUITARY CATARRH. 83
are therefore to be ascribed to the quantity of fictitious secretion.
The respiratory murmur is weak, accom- panied with the sonorous and sibilant rhonchi, occasionally modified by bubbles of the mucus, so as to imitate the chirrupping of birds, and sometimes heard distinctly with a liquid mucous rhonchus. When a slight oedema is present the humid crepitant rhonchus may also be distin- guished, but this disappears in the interval with the other signs. The chest, on percussion, sounds well throughout the attack.
This catarrh may be confined to one or two paroxysms, or it may attack daily for months and even years. Like most other serous fluxes, it is very difficult to remove when once esta- blished, and frequently arises from the develop- ment of a number of military tubercles in the pulmonary tissue. Its long continuance pro- duces that change in the mucous membrane that commonly accompanies, or is produced by, profuse watery discharges. This is a degree of atrophy which is sometimes attended with perfect pallidity, and sometimes with irregular striae or patches of sanguineous injection.
From what I have seen of these cases, I am disposed to consider the prevailing evil to be a debility or want of tone in the vessels of the bronchial membranes, on account of which
84 DRY CATARRH.
the watery parts of the blood transude with little restraint and little modification. Inflam- mation may have been in the first instance the cause of this loss of tone in the vascular fibre ; and even although it does not afterwards con- tinue, phlogistic agents may aggravate the disease, by increasing the force of the circula- tion, by which a flow of liquid becomes directed to the weakenedpart.
Section 111.— Dry Catarrh,
The dry catarrh of Laennec is, perhaps, in its general signs, more allied to asthma than to the preceding diseases. It consists in a san- guineous congestion in the membrane of the bronchi, which causes tumefaction, and partial or complete obstruction in their calibre. There is with this a scanty secretion of thick, semi- transparent, ash-coloured mucus, which arranges itself in globules, completing the obstruction of the tube.
The stethoscopic sign of this affection is, accordingly, a suspension of the sound of respi- ration in the part affected, while the corres- ponding part of the chest sounds perfectly well. Sometimes the obstruction is not quite complete, and then there may be a slight sibi- lant or a clicking rhonchus.
The severity of this affection depends entire-
PATHOLOGY AND SIGNS. 85
]y on its extent, and this may vary from a degree not at all deranging the general health to one producing severe and oppressive asthma. Many persons, appafently in perfect health, only perhaps subject to some shortness of breath on exertion, present to the auscultator examples of the slightest degree, and these usually ex- pectorate every morning a small portion of the pearly mucus that I have described. If the en- gorgement affect a longer extent of the bronchi, some degree of dyspnoea may be felt even when the person is at rest, particularly after meals. In a severer case the dyspnoea may last for sev- eral days, and is usually relieved by cough and expectoration of a small quantity of the same viscid mucus. These symptoms are still in pro- portion to the extent of suppression and ob- struction of respiration observed by ausculta- tion.
This disease not unfrequently terminates in the pituitary form ; or rather, its paroxysms sometimes end in a watery expectoration, with a small proportion of the tough mucus in it. Like pituitary catarrh, it may have its first origin in an inflamed state of the mucous membrane ; but from the natural duration of the symptoms, as well as from the appearance after death, I am disposed to consider its present cause rather as a passive congestion,
86 PERTUSSIS.
and consequently interrupted secretion, arising, perhaps, from deranged nervous influence, than an active inflammation.
Section IV. — Pertussis, Croup, fyc.
The physical signs of pertusis do not ma- terially differ from those of common catarrh, and are usually slight. In the intervals of cough, the respiratory murmur becomes indistinct in some points, and puerile in others ; a sibilant or sonorous rhonchus is sometimes heard, and the sound of the chest, on percussion, is un- impaired. From this it may be concluded, that the violence of the cough does not depend en- tirely on the state of the mucous membrane of the air-passages, and an examination, during a fit of coughing, confirms this conclusion. If the ear is applied to the chest at this period, no rhonchus or respiratory sound is heard, except for a moment, between each cough ; and during the sonorous back-draught all is silent within the chest. This absence of the respiratory sound, in an inspiration that seems so deep and forcible, is to be attributed to the admission of air being slow and scanty, on account of the spasmodic constriction of the glottis, by which, too, the hooping noise is caused. A spasm of the mus- cular fibres of the whole bronchial tract may also contribute to the exclusion of air from the
croup. 87
air-cells, but I cannot, with Laennec, consider this as the only cause.
I have had no opportunity of exploring the signs of croup, nor is it easy to predicate what they would be. Laennec gives a solitary exam- ple of a bronchial croup, in which the presence of an adventitious membrane caused a dry and tubular respiration, without the diffused slightly crepitant sound so marked in children. This, with the sound of percussion unimpaired, if found constant, would (he suggests) be suffi- ciently distinctive of this form of the disease. The clearest physical sign of inflammatory tra- cheal croup is, certainly, the detachment and expectoration of the factitious membrane that is formed in the air-passages. But I have little doubt that, by attentive observation, a diagnosis might be drawn from the difference in the sound of the voice, and passage of the air through the trachea, and even from percussion upon it. Nor would it be unworthy of the inquiry : for the distinction between croups produced by a false membrane, by spasmodic contraction, by oedema of the glottis, by the pressure of an ab- scess, and other causes, involves important points in practice, a knowledge of which might have prevented many fatal accidents. A care- ful observer, having a knowledge of the laws of sound for a guide, might, by attention to this
88 ULCERS, &C. IN THE BRONCHI.
subject, confer an important service on the heal- ing art.
I do not believe that ulcers of the bronchi have any constant sign by which they can be dis- tinguished. They excite a copious mucous se- cretion from the membrane, which is sometimes mixed with pus and blood. The presence of the same liquids in the bronchi occasions a mucous rhonchus. In these cases the local pain, excited particularly by exertions of the voice, is the most characteristic symptom.
For the diagnosis of potypous and other tu- mours in the bronchi, I must refer the reader to his own reflections ; for as I am convinced that no one can become a good auscultator by the use of his ears and memory only, so do I maintain that by a knowledge of the properties of sound, and a happy generalization of its phe- nomena, an observer will be enabled to ex- plain and appreciate not only all those signs that experience has hitherto discovered, but those that may also be revealed by future ob- servation. Thus he who knows how the sono- rous and sibilant rhonchi are produced, will perceive that a tumour pressing on a bron- chus may likewise cause them. He will see, in a haemorrhage simply bronchial, all the ele- ments necessary to produce the mucous rhon- chus, &c.
SPASMODIC ASTHMA. 89
Section V. — Spasmodic Jlsthma.
Before the discovery of auscultation, this name was given to dyspnoea arising from many other causes than that to which patholo- gical research, and a more perfect method of di- agnosis, have now restricted it. Besides the real spasmodic disorder, dry catarrh, emphy- sema of the lungs, diseases of the heart, &c, sometimes affect the breathing in a manner so sudden, and for a period so transitory, that in defect of less equivocal signs, the dyspnoea has been ascribed to an irregular action of the bron- chial muscles. Thus, a pathological state was supposed to prove the existence of bronchial muscles which anatomical research had never clearly discovered. A more perfect examination demonstrated to Reisseissen the anatomical point ; and M. Laennec has, in a limited degree, established the assumed pathological state, in proving the occurrence of a purely spas- modic asthma,
During the paroxysm the chest sounds ill on percussion, and the respiratory murmur is in- distinct, even on the most forcible respiration. But if the patient, after holding his breath a lit- tle while, be desired to breathe again quietly, the spasm will be overcome as it were by surprise, and the entry of the air into the cells will be 12
90 SPASMODIC ASTHMA.
heard in a clear, and sometimes puerile sound. This may be best effected in the manner recom- mended by Laennec, by desiring the patient to read aloud, or speak as many words as he con- veniently can without taking breath, and then to breathe at his ease. But after one or two inspirations, the spasm regains its hold, and the respiration becomes as dull as ever. The dimi- nution of the respiratory noise here, obviously proceeds from the obstruction opposed to the entry of air into the small bronchi and vesicles by the tonic contraction of their muscular fibres. By the same contraction the lungs are in a manner collapsed within the thoracic cavity, and the parietes of the chest, falling in with them, lose that sonorous elasticity produced by a fulness of aereal contents*. The chest thus contracted to the size of the collapsed lungs, may be compared to a drum, the parchment of which is pulled in by transverse strings. The free vibration is thus checked by these unyield- ing frena. Conceiving, as T do, that the con- traction of the bronchial muscles is a sufficient cause of the phenomena of asthma, I gladly discard Laennec's hypothesis of the active dila- tation of the bronchi, unsupported as it is by physiological fact, and opposed to all we know of animal dynamics,
* See my observations on percussion, p. 29.
SPASMODIC ASTHMA. 91
The dyspnoea produced by spasm of the bronchi is often of long continuance, and may, to a certain extent, become habitual. In such cases the system accommodates itself to the di- minished supply of air, and the respiratory function is less called into action ; but slight causes, either reproducing the want in the sys- tem, or increasing the spasm, will be sufficient to bring back the dyspnoea. Of the first class of causes are exertion, the sudden application of cold, &c. ; of the second, depressing affec- tions of the mind, and sympathetic irritations, produced by certain ingesta in the stomach and intestines. This second class includes usually those which originally produce the disease. I have seen a remarkable and exquisite case pro- duced by the slow introduction of lead into the system, but such a form of saturnine neurosis is, I believe, rare.
This affection may be partial, affecting one lung only, or one more than the other, and is often complicated with partial dry catarrh, and pituitous or humoral asthma. The signs of these diseases will then be observed in some parts of the chest, while those pathognomic of the spasmodic affection will be heard elsewhere*
92 PERIPNEUMONY FIRST STAGE.
chap. ir.
DISEASES AFFECTING THE TISSUE OF THE LUNGS.
Section I.—Peripneumony.
Peripneumony consists in an inflammation of the parenchyma of the lungs, and, according to the changes produced in the tissue, it is di- vided into three stages.
The first is that of simple inflammatory injection, in which the size of the blood ves- sels is increased, and a serum, more or less abundant, is effused into the interstitial tis- sue. Our knowledge of minute anatomy does not permit us to specify with certaint}^ the exact and essential seat of this inflammation ; but I am disposed, from a consideration of the signs, and the effects on the tissue, to refer it principally to the plexus of vessels and sub- mucous tissue surrounding and uniting the minute extremities of the bronchi. It may, and usually does, extend to the mucous mem- brane of these extremities, and of the smaller bronchial tubes ; but this is, strictly speak- ing, rather a bronchitis necessarily attendant on
PATHOLOGY AND SIGNS. 93
the parenchymatous inflammation than a part of the pneumonia*.
In this stage of the inflammation, the dis- tended vessels, and the serous effusion in the interstices, press on the minutest bronchial ra- mifications, and partially obstruct the ingress of air into the cells to which they lead ; whilst the viscid secretion of the mucous membrane, simultaneously inflamed, filling the callibre of the tubes thus narrowed, only yields to the air in respiration forcing its way through it in successive bubbles. This bubbling passage of air through a viscid liquid, contained in an in- finity of tubes of equally diminished calibre, causes that regular and equable crepitation which constitutes the true rhonchus crepitans. If the inflammatory infarctus be not so general as to prevent the air from entering without obstacle into many of the bronchial cells, then, besides the crepitant rhonchus, the natural sound of respiration will be heard. On the other hand, the inflammation increasing, and passiug into the second stage, causes a total
* On dissection, the lung in this stage is found to be of a livid red colour, of various shades ; it is increased in weight, and pits on pressure, but it is still somewhat crepitant, and usually floats in water. When cut into, it still presents its spongy structure,* out of which exudes abundant- ly a spumous bloody serum. Its integral cohesion is diminished, for the texture may be easily broken down between the fingers. The mucous membrane of the small bronchi is of a deep red colour.
94 PERIPNEUMONY— SECOND STAGE.
obstruction of the cells, and all sound of vesicu- lar respiration, and even of crepitant rhonchus, ceases. The progress of the inflammation is, therefore, now marked by the gradual dispari- tion of the crepitant rhonchus.
The second stage of peripneumony is that in which the lungs present that change in the tissue which is called by Laennec, hepatiza- tion*. , This change consists in the effusion of a semi-solid albumen in the interstitial tissues, and which presses on, and obliterating the ca- vities of air-cells and smaller bronchi, destroys the spongy texture of the lung, and con- verts it into a more or less solid mass. Such a condition of the air-cells precluding any further ingress of air, what stethoscopic signs can we have to indicate this stage of inflammation in the living body ? Here still a consideration of the physical state of the organ will teach us to expect, a priori, the same phenomena that ex- perience has revealed. We have already had occasion to observe that the healthy lung, from its being composed of conductors of very dif-
* Ramollissement rouge of Andral. — A hepatized lung presents the fol- lowing characters after death : Externally it is of deep red colour, which internally is mottled with a number of small light yellowish granular spots, with patches of whiter colour, marking the vessels, membranous septa, &c. not affected with the inflammation. It sinks in water, and is no longer crepitant, but breaks readily under the fingers, and may, by a slight pres- sure, be reduced to a reddish pulp.
PATHOLOGY AND SIGNS. 95
ferent powers, (air, membrane and liquid) is a bad conductor of sound, and is, therefore, in- capable of transmitting to its surface slight sounds, remote in the interior. But now that the tissue is rendered more uniformly dense by hepatization, it becomes a better conductor, and transmits a sound (usually unheard,) of the air passing to and fro in the larger bronchial ramifi- cations. This is the bronchial respiration of La- ennec and Andral ; and specfically marks the second stage of pneumonic inflammation. This sound, when once heard, cannot be mistaken. It resembles that produced by blowing through a crow's quill, and is frequently so loud as al- most to amount to a whistle. This sound, acute and defined, forms a remarkable contrast with the dull, diffused sigh of natural vesicular respiration.
Another neariy as characteristic sign is given by the voice. When the stethoscope, with its stopper in, is applied to the diseased part, the voice is heard to resound there in a tone modi- fied, as if speaking through small tubes. The voice does not, as in pectoriloquy, appear to enter the tube of the instrument ; and the sound of the voice is not heard in distinct words, but in notes of various continuance, not always synchronous with the words uttered by the mouth ; and the intervals are often alter-
96 PERIPNEUMONY SECOND STAGE.
nated with what may be called whiffs of bron- chial respiration.
It is obvious that the extent and intensity of these sounds must greatly depend on the num- ber and size of the bronchial tubes in which they are heard. They are therefore most dis- tinct when the hepatization occupies the sum- mit or the neighbourhood of the root of the lung, and extends to the surface. On the other hand, when the surface or the centre alone is hepatized, these signs may be altogether want- ing.
In the third stage the diseased lung becomes infiltrated with a purulent matter, which is generally consistent at first, but soon acquires the liquidity of common pus*. In this stage the bronchial respiration and vocal resonance usually cease, and are sometimes supplanted by a gurgling mucous rhonchus, indicating the presence of a liquid in the principal bronchial trunks.
In the rare case of the formation of an abscess in the hepatized lung, the passage of air through the liquid will be indicated by the
* This changes the colour of the diseased lung from the red of hepatiza- tion to discoloured yellow or brownish, which is frequently mottled with red portions in the second stage, and with the black pulmonary matter. This is called by Andral ramollissement grk. The tissue is quite imperme- able to air, and of extreme friability, being reducible by slight, pressure into a kind of purilage.
PATHOLOGY AND SIGNS. 97
gurgling or cavernous rhonchus : and when the cavity has been emptied of the pus by ex- pectoration, pectoriloquy and the cavernous res- piration will be added to this sign.
Gangrene is also [a rare termination of peripneumony. The gangrenous portion, being softened or ejected by expectoration, will pro- duce a cavity which will be indicated by the usu- al signs of cavernous rhonchus or resonance. The distinctive physical sign of gangrene is the foetid odour emitted from the diseased part in respiration*.
Thus far we have traced peripneumony in the changes in the pulmonary textures, as indicated by the stethoscope. The severity of the case may be judged from the extent of the disease, and the advances which it has made.
It is in the first stage of inflammatory injection that auscultation proves pre-eminently useful, in assuring us of the existence of a disease that no other symptoms could discover. The presence of the rhonchus crepitans may be taken as a warning to resort to energetic anti- phlogistic measures, which in this stage will
* The anatomical characters of gangrene of the lung are various. The colour is sometimes like that of a simply engorged lung, with a greenish tint. Sometimes it presents a dark green, or an earth-brown aspect. In its progress the gangrene produces a softening and complete deliquescence of the pulmonary tissue : but the sphacelic foetidity is the characteristic sign.
13
98 PERIPNEUMONY.
seldom fail in arresting its course. The disap- pearance of this sign, and sometimes the pre- sence of the bronchial respiration and rhonchus, announce the increasing danger and progress of the disease, as they indicate its advance to the second stage. The diseased structure is, how- ever still susceptible of a return to the healthy state, and the view which we have taken of the morbid anatomy of this stage suggests, in addition to means directed against the inflam- matory orgasm, the important advantage with which sorbefacients may be used. I know of no symptom by which the third stage can be recognised during life ; unless it be occasion- ally by the presence of the gurgling mucous rhonchus before mentioned. In this stage the disorganization has probably gone so far that the texture cannot be restored ; and yet it is pro- bable that even then recoveries have been brought about by the formation of abscess*. How far a cure may be effected by any other process we are not able to determine. Recove- ry from peripneumony, terminating in gangrene, is of still more dubious possibility. I know of no fact to warrant the supposition, but the extreme rarity of the case renders the matter of little im- portance.
The resolution or retrogression of peripneu-
* Laennec, Tom. I. p. 409.
PERIPNEUMONY— SIGNS OF CURE, 99
monic inflammation, is attended by a succession of the same physical signs that marked its pro- gress, but in an inverted order. Thus, in a spot where no sound of the ingress or egress of air has been heard, or perhaps only a bronchial respiration, a slight crepitant rhonchus begins to be distinguished at the end of each inspira- tion, apparently produced by the air again gain- ing a straitened admittance through a few of the bronchial tubes, whose calibres have been par- tially restored by the re-absorption of matter effused round their parietes. This sign increases in intensity as the resolution proceeds ; the bronchophony and bronchial respiration are diminished as the lung re-acquires its spongy texture, and becomes a worse conductor of sound. After a while the natural respiratory murmur is heard mixed with the crepitant rhonchus ; and as the texture becomes more permeable to the air, this increases as that diminishes, and the healthy function of the lung is thus gradually restored. But here again the signs obtained by auscultation are invaluable, as they alone indicate with certainty the absence of the disease. The dyspnoea may have been removed, the cough may have ceased, the ex- pectoration may have become simply catarrhal, the pulse natural, and all febrile symptoms dis- appeared ; and yet the auscultator detects the
100 PARTIAL PERIPNEUMONY.
lurking disease in theng^usiafl.ge of the crepi- tant rhonchus ; aj^d^^tol^ailh^^e^tinues, a slight exposure to cold, or a trivial departure from antiphlogistic regimen may cause a r^japse, which, in a subject already reduced fyy, Reple- tion, may be more difficult to cure tb6n the original disease. ^^fo/7"Y Qp \h^^yr
I have here described the access, progress, and cure of pneumonia in its general well- marked course ; it will now be necessary to ad- vert to certain varieties in the signs produced by situation, extent, and complication of the pneumonic inflammation.
When the inflammation occupies the central part of the lung, and particularly of the base? without extending to the surface, the experi- enced ear alone can distinguish the crepitant rhonchus in the first stage, and the bronchial respiration and resonance of the second, at a distance, through the natural sound of the respi- ration, which comes from the healthy portions at the surface. Whenever the inflammation occupies a considerable portion of the organ, the sound of the respiration in the healthy parts is much louder than usual, and is called puerile from its resemblance to the noisy respi- ration of children, or supplementary from its being increased to supply the defective entrance of air in the diseased parts. The intensity of this
SIGNS BY AUSCULTATION. 1 0 1 ^
supplementary respiration will depend, besides, on the extent of the disease, on the natural ac- tivity of the respiratory function, the want of breath, so different (as we have before remark- ed) in different individuals.
M. Andral has remarked, that in the compli- cation of pneumonia with catarrh, the loud mu- cous rhonchus of the latter so completely ob- scures the rhonchus crepitans of the former disease, that this may escape detection ; but I am inclined to agree with Laennec, that there are few cases in which the practised auscultator, assisted by the stethoscope, cannot distinguish the presence and seat of both symp- toms*. The ear, by practice, acquires a great facility in separating, and listening to a single sound from amongst several others, perhaps superior in loudness. Nor let this appear sur- prising, when it is remembered that we are ha- bitually accustomed, in the din of a city, to dis- tinguish and be attentive to each of the mul- titude of sounds of various intensity that beset our earsf.
Percussion, though much inferior to auscul-
ien mixed with other rhonchi, the crepitant rhonchus is lust distin- guished at the end of each inspiration, that being the part of respiration the most purely risenkvr.
j We effect this, I apprehend, by the voluntary tension or relaxation of the tympanum, by which it is made mire susceptible of the vibratiun
102 PERIPXEUMONY.
tation in extent and certainty of its indications, is }et of great utility to confirm and assist it. In the first stage the chest often sounds well in the diseased part, or at least the diminution of the sound is doubtful, whilst the rhonchus cre- pitans unequivocally proclaims the presence of the inflammation. On passing to the second stage, however, the sound is evidently duller and in the second and third stages becomes quite mat, and continues to be so until resolu- tion brings it to its first stage again.
Percussion gives no indication when the in- flammation is central ; and it requires much practice to detect by it a small circumscribed inflammation on the surface. Its indications are always doubtful at the posterior and lateral margins of the lungs, on account of the vicinity of the abdominal viscera.
The peripneumonic inflammation modifies the secretion of the bronchial mucous mem-
of one particular sound, by being brought in unison or at least in har_ mony with it. Thus discordant sounds, or those not separated by har- monic intervals, are easily distinguished, but harmonic sounds being blended with each other, are with more difficulty separated, and this difficulty is in proportion to the perfection of the harmony ; thus it is greatest with unison, next the octave, the fifth, the third, &c. This fact is Of importance in auscultation, the indications of which may be obscur- ed by similar extraneous sounds. Thus a tinnitus aurium in the auscul- tator, or the rustling of the clothes of the patient, may prevent the respi- ratory murmur from being distinguished, whilst a sibilant rhonchus may at the same time be heard with its usual force.
SPUTA. 103
brane in a very remarkable manner. At the commencement of the disease there is fre- quently no expectoration, or it is simply ca- tarrhal, being composed of a mucous of mode- rate tenacity ; but as the crepitant rhonchus becomes marked, the sputa assume their cha- racteristic form. They are semi-transparent, tenacious, and run together, forming one mass of a reddish yellow, or rusty tinge of vari- ous shades. As the disease advances, this te- nacity increases. At first it does not much exceed that of the white of an egg, and when poured out, the sputa fall in glutinous strings, but at the height of the first stage they are fre- quently so viscid, that inverting the vessel, and even shaking it in this position, will not suffice to detach them from it. The same tena- cious property imprisons in the mass a multi- tude of little air bubbles, which sometimes pro- duce a spumous appearance. The colour may vary in numberless gradations from a light red- dish or greenish yellow, to a deep orange or rusty hue. All these tints proceed from various proportions of blood intimately combined with the secretion of the bronchial membrane.
Quite different from these are the sanguino- lent sputa that sometimes occur in catarrh, in which the blood appears in distinct striae. The intimately combined tint, and the glutinous
104 PERIPNEUMONY.
viscidity of peripneumonia expectoration, give to it a character perfectly pathognomic, and sufficient in itself to prove the presence of the disease. Moreover, the degree of viscidity announces, with tolerable precision, the inten- sity of the inflammation ; and whenever, after having become thinner in the course of cure, the sputa regain their former viscidity, a relapse into the disease is indicated. But although the presence of these sputa indicates with certainty the existence of pulmonic inflam- mation, we cannot draw an opposite conclusion from their absence. They rarely appear until the second or third day, sometimes not till later, and in some cases have not been observed at all. So also in the cure; they usually disap- pear, and the expectoration becomes simply catarrhal some time before the cessation of the rhonchus crepitans. They sometimes continue during the stage of hepatization, but more commonly become pituitous, or mucous and opake. In the third stage the expectoration sometimes consists of an opake mucus, oc- casionally mixed with pus ; but more fre- quently, I think, it resembles a thin mucilage coloured with treacle. This peculiar form of the sputa first noticed by MM. Lerminier and An- dral, M. Laennec considered merely fortuitous, and to proceed entirely from spongy and bleed-
PATHOLOGY. 105
ing gums, id cachetic subjects ; but in this opin- ion, I do not think lie is borne out by experi- ence. The appearance of such an expectoration must, at any rate, be viewed as a very unfavour- able symptom.
Section II. — Emphysema of the Limgs.
Emphysema of the lungs consists in a general dilatation of the air vesicles, whereby the tissue is rendered coarser and less dense. To under- stand more fully the nature of the alteration, it will be requisite to study the manner in which it is produced.
In cases of chronic catarrh, particularly of the dry kind, the minute bronchial ramifications be- come so obstructed by the swelling of their membrane, or by the secretion of a viscid mucus, that the air can only be forced through them into the vesicles by a considerable effort. Now, as in ordinary respiration, the inspiration (a muscular effort,) is more forcible than the expiration, which is principally effected by the elastic force of the cartilages of the ribs, and the weight of the abdominal viscera, the former may prove sufficient to overcome the obstacle to the introduction of air into the vesicles, while the latter is inadequate to effect its expulsion. Successive portions of air, ex- panding by the increased temperature, are thus 14
106 EMPHYSEMA OF THE LUNGS.
introduced and incarcerated in the cells, which are thereby kept in a state of continual dilata- tion. This is, perhaps, a first and principal cause of the dilatation of the air-cells ; but other causes co-operate, and other changes are produced, before the emphysema becomes per- manent,
The forcible action of the expiratory muscles in coughing will exert a pressure on the dilated air-cells. This pressure may overcome the ob- stacle in the bronchi, expel the air, and restore the cells to their natural size. But the obstruc- tion may have increased, and then the pressure will expand the cells in the direction of the adjacent yielding tissue. The dilated cells will thus encroach upon the adjoining healthy tissue, and cause its obliteration (a new obstruction in the bronchi), or the rupture of its cells. Add yet another cause, which may occasionally act, and we shall have found explanations enough of the frequent occurrence of a disease, the very existence of which has not, till of late, been suspected. In dry chronic catarrh, the general starting point of emphysema, small particles of viscid mucus form a kind of moveable obstruc- tion, which, falling into a bronchial ramifica- tion, instantaneously and effectually plug up the tube. Now, suppose this to happen in a tube at the termination of an expiration j inspi-
PATHOLOGY. 107
ration takes place, but this pellet of mucus acts as a valve, preventing the entry of air into those cells supplied by this tube, the conse- quence is, that the air in the surrounding cells presses in to fill the vacuum, by dilating or rup- turing their membranous tunics.
Such a variety of causes, acting and re-acting upon each other, tends to produce this organic derangement. How strikingly does this prove the exactitude and perfection with which the machine must act to preserve health, since so slight a deviation may entail such disorder ; and how wonderful that the equilibrium is not more frequently lost ! Besides the simple dila- tation of the air vesicles, there appears to be sometimes an intervesicular emphysema, which causes the occlusion of some bronchial branches. To this, and to an increased rigidity of the tunics of the dilated cells, is to be ascribed the tense elasticity so remarkable in an emphyse- matous lung; hence, too, the incapacity of the lung to perform its function with effect. This incapacity is also manifested during life, by the absence or diminution of the respiratory sound in the part. This leads me to consider the phy- sical signs of emphysema.
It not unfrequently happens that emphysema is present without producing any other signs than those of dry catarrh or asthma ; namely,
108 EMPHYSEMA OF THE LUNGS.
a diminished sound of respiration, with slight sibilant or mucous rhonchus, and clear sound on percussion ; and then the duration of the disease can alone serve as a distinction. But if the emphysema be more extensive, it will give to the chest an unnaturally rounded form, with in- creased intercostal spaces. If one lung only be affected, the corresponding side alone will pre- sent this appearance : it will be larger than the other, and emit a clearer sound on percussion. The stethoscope may discover from time to time a dry crepitant rhonchus of a peculiar kind, and which pretty closely resembles the sound pro- duced by inflating forcibly the cellular mem- brane of meat. This sound is caused by the motion of air in the intervesicular texture, or particularly under the pleura, during the respi- ratory movements, and is clearly the same as that which may be produced by pressure on subcu- taneous emphysema. More rarely, the sound resembles the friction of a pulley, or that of two pieces of leather rubbed together, and this is usually confined to inspiration. I have some- times heard these sounds produced not only by the action of respiration, but also by the im- pulse of the heart ; which shows that they are not of the nature of other rhonchi.
The expectoration is usually like that of dry
INTERLOBULAR EMPHT8£MA. 109
catarrh, but often more liquid, and of a dirty grey colour.
It appears that emphysema of the lung, as it "commences gradually, and proceeds slowly, is not attended with any immediate danger ; but it produces an habitual dyspno2a, which incapa- citates the body for exertion, and renders it ob- noxious to serious, and even fatal effects from contingent pulmonary disease, which in a heal- thy lung might be borne with comparative impu- nity.
Interlobular emphysema rarely accompanies the last affection. More frequently it occurs separately, and is caused instantaneously by violent straining, or by some analogous exertion of the respiratory organs. As its name implies, it consists in an effusion of air into the celular tissue, between the lobules composing the lobes of the lungs, and is strictly confined to it. This emphysema causes a slight elevation on the lung, from the interlobular spaces which it has made : and this elevation rubbing against the costal pleura in the motions of respiration, causes a strepitus, which I have already com- pared to that produced by rubbing together slowly and forcibly two pieces of leather. It is usually most perceptible at the end or acme of inspiration ; but may accompany both inspira- tion and expiration, and then is sometimes heard
110 (EDEMA OF THE LUNGS.
in such regular jerks, that it resembles the steps of a person mounting and descending a ladder. The impression conveyed to the ear is exactly that of a body rubbing along the ribs, rising in* inspiration, and descending in expiration. The friction likewise often communicates a corres- ponding vibration in the thoracic parietes, which may be felt by the hand. The patient himself is sometimes sensible of a kind of crack- ing in his chest. Interlobular emphysema may produce at first some difficulty of breathing, but never to a serious extent, and is spontane- ously cured in time by the gradual absorption of the air.
Section III.— (Edema of the Lungs.
This is, properly speaking, a serous effusion in the interstitial tissue between the air-cells, and vascular rete, by which these are con- nected together. When contained, however, by membranes of such extreme tenuity, it is not surprizing that some serum should, by transudation, pass into the air-cells themselves*.
* Accordingly it is so found on examination after death. An cedema- tous lung does not collapse ; on opening the chest, it feels weighty, and pits on pressure, but is still crepitant. Its vesicular texture is less per- ceptible than usual. When cut into, it exudes a clear, yellowish serum, scarcely frothy, which appears to proceed from all parts equally. It is, however, highly probable, that it is secreted in the interstitial texture, which is internal, and therefore serous, and not from the membrane of the air-cells, which is mucous.
PATHOLOGY AND SIG.V^. Ill
Now this liquid, by swelling up the interstitial texture, so presses on, and partially obstructs the smaller bronchi, that the air passing through the liquid contained in them produces a kind of humid crepitation, like that heard on ap- proaching the ear to aliquid in gentle efferves- cence, as bottled cider, or ale, when freshly poured out of the bottle. This is the subcre- pitant rhonchus. It differs from the crepitant in the bubbles seeming less regular and more humid, but it must be considered different only in degree ; for the two pass by insensible gra- dations into each other. The respiratory mur- mur that is heard with this rhonchus is feeble, particularly in comparison with the energetic action of the respiratory machine. The reson- ance of the chest on percussion is often not perceptibly diminished, but it is distinctly so where the dyspnoea is oppressive, and the oedema profuse and extensive. The expectoration is usually copious, consisting of a slightly viscid, colourless liquid. This, when present, will distinguish the disease from the first stage of peripneumony ; but sometimes there is little or no expectoration, and then the diagnosis must be drawn from the general symptoms, as the other physical signs are so nearly the same.
CEdema of the lung is rarely idiopathic. It most frequently accompanies organic diseases
112 PULMONARY APOPLEXY.
of the heart of long duration, and humoral ca- tarrh, in which cases it is often the immediate cause of death. It sometimes succeeds to fe- brile affections, particularly .the exanthemata, being the cause of the dyspnoea sometimes oc- curring after scarlatina, rubeola, &c.
There is one complication of oedema which renders it very difficult to recognise, namely, with emphysema of the lungs. When this is present the sound of respiration is so obscure that it is difficult to recognise any other sign than an occasional sibilation, whilst the sound on percussion is very good. A forcible inspir- ation after coughing, or retaining the breath for a while, will, however, frequently discover the disease, by rendering audible the subcrepi- tant rhonchus.
It is always important to be able to discover the presence of oedema in the lungs, for, al- though usually a consequence of other disease, it is always to be considered a principal object of treatment.
Section IV. — Pulmonary Apoplexy or H<e-
morage.
This appears to consist in the effusion of blood into the parenchyma and vesicular struc- ture of the lung. Whether this effusion is al- ways in consequence of the rupture of vessels,
PATHOLOGICAL CAUSES AND SIGNS. 113
or is sometimes simply an hamiorrhagic exuda- tion, has not been distinctly ascertained ; but the former cause would seem better to explain the suddenness and quantity of the hemor- rhage, and the circumscribed from of the lesion. It is, however, highly probable that the tex- tures are, in most cases, softened or altered by disease, before the rupture takes place.
The blood effused may coagulate before it reaches any large bronchial ramification, and, in that case, there will be no hsemoptoe, but more commonly the reverse happens ; more or less blood is spit up, or, if in large quantity, more properly, as Laennec observes, vomited ; for the discharge is produced by a convulsive action of the abdominal muscles, exactly after the manner of vomiting. At length, however, the hemorrhage is checked by the formation of a coagulum, which, pervading completely a circumscribed portion of the pulmonary tex- ture, constitutes the hcemoptoic engorgement of Laennec *.
When a point of the lung is thus affected, the respiratory murmur will, of course, be no longer
* These spots of pulmonary apoplexy arc of a deep brown red colour ; the coarser parts of the pulmonary structure alone can be distinguif in them, but even these partake of the same tinge. T'nlt >s th< J are very recent their consistence is firm, and they contain little or no sen •). Sometimes there is an obvious detritus in the centre, formed of grumous blood alone, in which no texture can be traced.
15
114 PULMONARY APOPLEXY.
heard there ; and if the engorgement be of large size, there will be a corresponding dulness of sound on percussion, in that part of the chest. The compression of the tissue immediately around, and the presence of a bloody serum in the vesicles, proceeding from the coagulum, occasions a crepitant rhonchus, which is there- fore heard around the spot where the respira- tion is inaudible. This symptom, however, seldom continues long after the commencement of the disease, but, once heard, it distinguishes it from a simple bronchial haemorrhage.
During the haemoptoe, as in the latter dis- ease, the blood in the bronchi causes a bubbling rhonchus, which Laennec distinguishes from that produced by mucus in the bubbles burst- ing in more frequent succession. The stetho- scopic symptoms with haemoptoe are amply suf- ficient to indicate the nature of the disease ; but when hsemoptoe is not present, the sputa and general symptoms must be referred to, to esta- blish the diagnosis.
The extent of the haemoptoic engorgement, rather than the quantity of blood brought up, indicate the degree of danger to be apprehend- ed ; for a large quantity of blood may pass through a small rupture in the pulmonary tis- sue, and unless this be so great as to threaten inanition, which is not often the case where
PROGNOSIS. 115
prompt measures are resorted to, the lesion is more of the nature of a simple wound than a change of structure. It is where the spots of hsemoptoic engorgement are numerous or large, that we have to apprehend some ulterior cause than a simple rupture, and whether this be a more frangible slate of the pulmonary tissue, depending on the presence of miliary granula- tions and other precursors of tubercular forma- tion, or be some modification peculiar to the disease called pulmonary apoplexy, it must be viewed as partaking in the danger of the ge- neral or constitutional alterations of tissue, that are very little within the control of medicine.
116 PLEURISY.
CHAP. III.
Section I.— Pleurisy,
Inflammation of the pleura could be recog- nised by no physical sign, if it were not attend- ed by a serous effusion ; and it is an interest- ing and satisfactory result of the researches of modern pathologists, that this is almost univer- sally the case. It is interesting, as a point of general pathology, that inflammation of the se- rous membrane should necessarily produce an effusion ; and it is satisfactory, because it fur- nishes us with the least fallible of all signs, whereon to found our diagnosis.
Exquisitely marked as this disease is de- scribed to occur, by the acute pain of the side, oppression of the breathing, hard pulse, decu- bitus on the affected side, cough, &c, there are few practitioners who have not proved the fal- lacy of each of these symptoms ; and, as we shall presently point out, the auscultator finds but uncertainty in them all.
At the first attack, before there are any signs of effusion, if the pain be very acute, the sound of respiration will be somewhat impaired on the affected side. This is, however, merely
PATHOLOGICAL NATURE AND SIGNS. 117
in consequence of the respiratory action being restrained on that side by the pain, and is equal- ly observed in pleurodyne.
The secretion of liquid by the inflamed pleura commences from the beginning of the attack, and instead of being, as commonly supposed, a termination of pleurisy, it is a concomitant, or rather, a part of the disease ; as the secretion from the bronchial mucous membrane is of catarrh. The first signs of this accumulation are obtained by percussion. The resonance of the chest is commonly diminished first in the inferior dorsal and lateral regions, correspond- ing to the base of the lung. As the effusion in- creases the dulness of sound gradually extends upwards, and becomes more pronounced*. Sometimes the transition from the dull to the
* The following are the appearances on dissection in' different stage s of an acute pleurisy : — The inflamed pleura presents many points or patches of a diffused redness, and a number of red vascular ramifications are likewise seen distributed over it. Different parts of the membrane arc covered with coagulable lymph, and a serous or seropurulent, and some- times sanguineous liquid is found in the cavity. This liquid, if scanty, occupies principally the lower and posterior part of the chest ; but when abundant it envelopes the whole lung. The lung is found compressed, flaccid and less crepitant, in proportion to the quantity of liquid. Some- times reduced to a size not greater than the hand of the subject, it is push- ed by the effusion into a small space against the mediastinum and spinal column. In some cases the lung is bound by old adhesions and is then pushed in a different direction. When the adhesions are above, the lung is displaced upwards by the effusion ; when the lower parts adhere (a Vi iv rare case,) the effusion occupies the upper part, and so on, the lung being always pressed against its points of attachment.
118 PLEURISY.
healthy sounding parts is so abrupt, that a hori- zontal line will exactly divide them, and this, when well marked, is a very characteristic sign. The sound of respiration likewise becomes more obscure as the liquid accumulates between the lungs and thoracic parietes ; but the collection of liquid must be considerable before it becomes extinct.
Before this, however, another effect is pro- duced which gives rise to its peculiar signs. The pressure of the effused liquid condenses the tissue of the lung, by which we have for- merly seen it is rendered a better conductor of sound, and transmits noises, usually unheard, of the passage of air and the voice in the bron- chi. But this bronchophony, and this sound of bronchial respiration, before they can reach the ear, must pass through the serous stratum between the pleurae. How then do they effect this, and how are they affected by it? The fact is this : a respiration is usually heard becoming bronchial as the effusion increases up to a certain point, but then, as the bronchi themselves become pressed by a further in- crease it becomes faint, and at last ceases. If the stratum of liquid is thin the bronchophony traverses it, but, by* throwing it into vibrations, is itself modified, rendered sharp and tremulous, and as if produced at the surface of the lung.
PHYSICAL SIGNS — JEGOPHONY. 119
The voice, therefore, instead of being as from the mouth, or even simply diminutived, as in bron- chophony, resembles the tremulous bleating of a goat or lamb. This modification of the voice M. Laennec therefore called aegophony. Its most distinctive mark is its tremulous or sub- sultory chatarcter. In bronchophony the natu- ral pitch of the voice is sometimes raised, but in aegophony it is constantly and considerably so, and is thus rendered squeaking and wiry.
Now as this modification of bronchopony can be caused only by an effusion in the pleura, it may be regarded as a pathognomonic sign. But even in this case three conditions are ne- cessary before it can be produced : 1. A cer- tain condensation of the pulmonary tissue : 2. The presence of a thin stratum of liquid be- tween the condensed lung and the thoracic pa- rietes : 3. Such a proportion between the mass of this liquid and the pitch and strength of the vocal sounds, that it may be thrown into vibra- tion by them. The necessity of this latter condition is shown in the fact that certain tones of the voice are aegophonic, and others not ; some transmitted with only bronchophonic mo- dification, and others changed to the sharp tremulons tone of aegophony. I think I could give an explanation of the change in the note or pitch of the voice in this instance, but as it
120 ACUTE PLEURISY.
hinges on the power of different conductors, to modify vibrations in their passage through them, a subject hitherto unnoticed and unex- plained, it would require consideration too abstract and minute for this place. I shall only remark that the tremulous or subsultory sound of the segophonic voice is produced by succes- sive undulations of the liquid, the result of an irregular transmission of the sonorous vibrations*. It may be concluded from this account of the proximate or physical causes of segophony, that this symptom cannot usually continue for any length of time. The liquid is either so much in- creased that the bronchi themselves become com- pressed ; or, it is re-absorbed, so that the cause of aBgophony is removed. The latter case is indicated by a return of the natural respiratory murmur in the part, and a sonorous resonance on percussion. In the former case, all sounds are lost, and the chest sounds uniformly dulli except in a small space close to the vetebral column, agamst which the lung is compressed. The effusion is sometimes so rapid that a few
* M. La^nnec considers that another cause may contribute to the pro- duction of aegophony ; namely, the flattening of the bronchi by the pres- sure of the effusion, whereby they are converted into little reed in- struments, all set a piping by the sound of the voice. Besides that this explanation is unnecessary, I must object also that it is untenable. The reed of the bassoon and hautboy sounds only on the passage of air through it, and did the flattened bronchi represent it in this instance, the respiration, and not the voice, should make them sound.
CAUSES OF ^GOPHONY. 121
hours duration of the disease may produce this state. There is, however, almost always one period at which the effusion unites the condi- tions necessary for the production of segophony ; and as the progress of the disease is slow or ra- pid, the duration of this period will be long or short. The situations in which it is most fre- quently heard may be included in a band about three inches broad, running from below the infe- rior margins of the scapula, in the direction of the ribs, to the sternum. It is most pure in the anterior and lateral parts, being often mixed with a natural bronchophony in the dorsal re- gions. Sometimes, however, it is heard in nearly every part of the affected side, the collection of fluid being but moderate. This universal sego- phony never continues long, unless where the lung is prevented from collapsing before the in- creasing effusion, by old adhesions retaining it at a little distance from the costal pleura, in which case, after a time, the respiratory murmur re- turns, the pressure not being sufficient to ex- clude totalty the air from the vesicles. Adhe- sions may, in other ways, modify the signs of pleurisy. Not unfrequently the apex or subcla- vicular lobe of the lung adheres closely to the costal pleura ; an effusion can here never destroy the sound of respiration under the clavicle, and the same thing may occasionally happen in other 10
122 ACUTE PLEURISY.
parts of the lung ; the sound of the respiration remaining, however great the effusion in those spots, where an adhesion protects the lung from pressure.
It sometimes happens that the pleurisy and its effusion are quite partial, being confined to the tissues between the lobes, or to a part on the surface by adhesions. The accompanying pain and segophony, will generally characterise these circumscribed pleurisies*. If these symp- toms are absent, the diagnosis will be difficult, for the same partial absence of respiratory mur- mur and pectoral resonance, might result from other causes.
Whenever the effusion is abundant, and has been rapidly produced, the respiration on the healthy side will become puerile, or supplemen- tary. Now as the sound of this respiration is sometimes heard on the diseased side, through the liquid, it will be necessary to guard against the error of mistaking it for a faint respiration on that side. On listening attentively to the sound, it will be easy to perceive that it increases in in- tensity as the ear approaches the healthy side, and that its loudness there will sufficiently ex- plain its source. The continuance of a real,
* They most frequently occur in phthisical subjects, being excited sometimes by tubercles and sometimes by the bursting of a vomica into the pleura. The effusion is commonly purulent, and may, particularly when interlobular, be mistaken on dissection, for an abscess of the lung.
PHYSICAL SIGNS. 123
although faint, respiration, in a space of about three fingers breadth along the spinal column, corresponding with the compressed lung, will also furnish a standard of comparison, by which the other sound may be distinguished. Besides these tests, the ear, by practice, acquires the power to distinguish at once a sound faint by distance, and one faint in origin.
Another important physical sign, that indi- cates an abundant effusion, is an enlargement of the affected side. This, although when mea- sured from the spinous process of a vertebra to the sternum, seldom exceeds an inch, or an inch and a half, is very obvious to the eye : an ob- server, placed opposite or behind the patient as he sits up, or stands naked, may detect the want of symetry of even less than half an inch in extent.
Now, when the disease has arrived at this state, having been attended with more or less pain of side, dry cough, dyspnoea proportionate to the rapidity of its course, and the usual febrile symptoms of acute inflammation, all these symp- toms may disappear ; the pain and cough gone, the pulse nearly natural, the appetite returned, and the dyspnoea but slight, felt perhaps only on exertion ; in short, the patient may appear con- valescent, and yet, strange to sajr, one side of his chest is full of water ! In this state, if he-
124 ACUTE PLEURISY.
be kept quiet, and limited to a strictly antiphlo- gistic regimen, there will be the symptoms of a slow and gradual absorption, which we shall presently describe ; and the patient may in time be restored to real health. But if, relying on his sensations, and deceived by a false and illusory feeling of health, he returns to an active life, with a full and generous diet, the consequences may be disastrous. Either, the acute disease may be rekindled from its smo- thered state, excite an increase of circulation incompatible with the crippled state of the or- gans, and thus produce effusion in other parts, and consequent suffocation or, the pleuricy may- continue in a chronic form, perpetuating the effusion, becoming a part of the habit engen- dering tubercles, or other accidental produc- tions. Hence organic disease will run its re- sistless and irremeable course, wearing down the strength by hectic, and wasting the body by atrophy, until life, scorning to dwell in such a tenure, ceases to hold it from its kindred earth.
Such may be the direful consequences of relying on fallacious general symptoms. Let us seek in auscultation and percussion, the beacon to warn us of the latent danger, and to guide us to the employment of means to avert it. The absorption of the fluid is indicated by
PHYSICAL SIGNS. 125
the gradual return of the respiratory murmur ; first, in those points where it had persisted latest ; afterwards, in others ; and last of all in the parts where the accumulation had begun. It is very faint at first, but becomes stronger in time ; but, general^, a very long period is re- quired to bring it on a par with that of the healthy side : sometimes so slow is the absorp- tion, that many months are required to dissi- pate a collection of fluid that was formed by a pleurisy of a few days duration. In other in- stances, however, the absorption is nearly as rapid as the effusion, and in these cases a re- turning segophony also announces the diminu- tion. When the effusion has remained long, the segophony seldom returns ; for, from the long continued pressure, the bronchi, in which it is produced, lose their elasticity, and do not im- mediately recover a sufficient calibre to cause that resonance of the voice which constitutes bronchophony. On account of the same loss of elasticity, and slow restoration of aereal texture in the lungs, the chest never recovers its sound on percussion proportionately to the return of the respiratory murmur. Sometimes, for causes afterwards to be mentioned, the af- fected side remains dull as ever, after the com- plete absorption of the liquid. But when the complaint has been of short duration the sono-
126 ACUTE PLEURISY.
rousness returns perfectly, although more slowly than the respiratory murmur.
In the double pleurisy, where both sides are simultaneously affected (a very fatal form of the disease), the indications given by percus- sion are less certain ; for both sides surrounding equally ill, the standard of comparison is lost. But auscultation will assist us to detect the cause of the oppressing dyspnoea, which, unless the most energetic measures are employed, may soon end in suffocation.
The danger in acute pleurisy depends on the rapidity and quantity of the effusion. If the segophony continues, it is a proof that the effu- sion is moderate, and nearly stationary, which portends an easy cure. In leucophlegmatic habits, the effusion is usually very abundant, and its absorption slow ; hence these present the most unfavorable cases. After the system has sustained the immediate effects of the effusion, a transition to the insidious chronic state must be the source of apprehension, and this as long as there are no signs of a re-absorption.