Bleeding from the Lungs, Spitting of Blood, Expectoration
of Blood, Haemoptymis. — Symptoms. — Occurr usually with the
presence of cough, and a tickling feeling at the back of the
throat, preceded frequently by sense of oppression or of
weight in the chest: the blood is expectorated in very varying
quantities, generally exciting a well-founded alarm. The
blood may be brought up pure, or mixed with the mucus of the
air passages. In some instances, the mouth fills with blood,
unattended with cough. A saltish taste in the mouth is very
often experienced. Its florid color, frothy character, and
attendant cough, will assist in its distinction from vomiting of
blood.
Treatment. — Bleeding from the lungs is not always
attended with the danger that is generally apprehended.
Although its occurence excites alarm in reference to the exist-
ence of consumptive disease, it is sometimes beneficial rather
than otherwise, as it tends to relieve congestion in the weak
part of the lung. Very few cases prove fatal from the bleed-
ing alone.
The strictest rest and quiet, and absolute silence, should be
MEDICINAL. 301
enforced; the charaoer be cool and airy, aumittmg o. tree
ventilation. The patient should be placed half-sitting Only
cold drinks, or pieces of ice should be allowed at first. All
food should be given cold. Only in case of extreme faintness
should stimulants be given.
The medicab treatment required, is the administration of
astringents internally, e. g. : Gallic acid, 30 grains; epsom
salts, one-half ounce; diluted sulphuric acid, i drachm;
water, to 6 ounces. Mix. Give a sixth part every three
hours, unless the medicine purge too freely, then the epsom
salts may be omitted.
Cloths dipped in cold water, or spirit and water, should be
kept applied on the chest. The rest and quiet should be
observed for several days after the hemorrhage has ceased,
which it will do, probably, only gradually, the expectoration
being streaked for a variable time.
Bleeding" from the Stomach and Bowels. — H/ematemesis
OR Vomiting of Blood — Is usually a result of some internal
disease causing obstruction of the circulation of blood through
the liver, spleen, or stomach; or it may be a result of the
derangement of more distant organs. Ulceration of the mucous
surface of the stomach itself may lead to the opening of a
vessel therein. It is preceded by a sense of nausea or sickness,
or faintness, and by a feeling of heaviness or of oppression at
the pit of the stomach. The blood vomited is generally of a
dark color, and is mixed wi:;h food, and differs in color from
the frothy fluid blood that is coughed up from the air pas'sages.
Page 212
Presented as published in 1883. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Bleeding from the Lungs, Spitting of Blood, Expectoration of Blood, Haemoptymis. — Symptoms. — Occurr usually with the presence of cough, and a tickling feeling at the back of the throat, preceded frequently by sense of oppression or of weight in the chest: the blood is expectorated in very varying quantities, generally exciting a well-founded alarm. The blood may be brought up pure, or mixed with the mucus of the air passages. In some instances, the mouth fills with blood, unattended with cough. A saltish taste in the mouth is very often experienced. Its florid color, frothy character, and attendant cough, will assist in its distinction from vomiting of blood.
Treatment. — Bleeding from the lungs is not always attended with the danger that is generally apprehended. Although its occurence excites alarm in reference to the existence of consumptive disease, it is sometimes beneficial rather than otherwise, as it tends to relieve congestion in the weak part of the lung. Very few cases prove fatal from the bleeding alone.
The strictest rest and quiet, and absolute silence, should be enforced; the chamber be cool and airy, admitting of free ventilation. The patient should be placed half-sitting Only cold drinks, or pieces of ice should be allowed at first. All food should be given cold. Only in case of extreme faintness should stimulants be given.
The medical treatment required, is the administration of astringents internally, e.g.: Gallic acid, 30 grains; epsom salts, one-half ounce; diluted sulphuric acid, i drachm; water, to 6 ounces. Mix. Give a sixth part every three hours, unless the medicine purge too freely, then the epsom salts may be omitted.
Cloths dipped in cold water, or spirit and water, should be kept applied on the chest. The rest and quiet should be observed for several days after the hemorrhage has ceased, which it will do, probably, only gradually, the expectoration being streaked for a variable time.
Bleeding from the Stomach and Bowels. — H/ematemesis OR Vomiting of Blood — Is usually a result of some internal disease causing obstruction of the circulation of blood through the liver, spleen, or stomach; or it may be a result of the derangement of more distant organs. Ulceration of the mucous surface of the stomach itself may lead to the opening of a vessel therein. It is preceded by a sense of nausea or sickness, or faintness, and by a feeling of heaviness or of oppression at the pit of the stomach. The blood vomited is generally of a dark color, and is mixed wi:;h food, and differs in color from the frothy fluid blood that is coughed up from the air passages.