But
important information can be obtained by interrogating the sounds due
to the inspired air rushing into and distending the air vesicles. When
the lungs are perfectly healthy, these are breezy and almost musical.
During the pre-tubercular stage they become drier and harsher;
qualities of evil omen that continue to increase as time passes, if
properly directed means be not adopted to correct the evil; but so far
none of the symptoms that indicate the slightest deposit of tubercle
can be detected, but the breathing capacity of such persons is never
up to the full requirements of the system. The reader is referred to
the table already given, which exhibits the decline of the breathing
capacity of persons suffering from consumption in its several stages.
When the disease has made such decided progress that tubercles are
already deposited in the lungs in sufficient quantity to give rise to
the physical signs by which their presence is proved, this carefully
compiled table shows that the diminution of the vital capacity already
amounts to one-third of that considered by Dr. Hutchinson to be
necessary to the maintenance of health.
During the pre-tubercular stage the breathing capacity rarely falls so
much as 33 per cent. below the healthy standard, but it is never up to
the normal vital volume. This fact is most significant, especially
when it occurs in an individual whose relatives have succumbed to this
disease; but it rarely attracts sufficient attention from such persons
as to induce them to have their breathing capacity measured, much less
to take effective measures to bring and keep it up to the healthy
standard.
Pages:
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105