p. 20 | PNEUMONIA by L. J. Otis

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 8, 1901

PNEUMONIA

By L. J. Otis

L. J. OTIS, M. D.

(Wheeling, W. Va., Sanitarium)

NO OTHER common disease produces so great mortality in so short a time as does pneumonia, or lung fever, as it is also called. A strong, healthy man may have an attack of this disease, and within a week lose his place among the living.

In common with other diseases, pneumonia comes not without a cause. It is most prevalent in the winter months, and usually follows a severe, exhausting strain. One exposed to the chilling weather while suffering from physical exhaustion is likely to become its victim.

By exhaustion and chilling, the fortress of the system is so weakened that there needs but the presence of the germ of the disease. Such germs are in the air we breathe; and before these the weakened system becomes an easy prey, and, in spite of all drugs and medicines, pneumonia will be the result.

The drug method knows no abortive measures; for when once pneumonia begins, it will run a typical course of from five to eight days if death does not cut it short. Yet I have seen the severity of the case much lessened, and the disease shortened, by proper hydriatic measures. I am confident that should thorough treatment be given at the start, the horrors of the disease would be lessened, and what is regarded now uncontrollable would readily respond to treatment.

To prevent the disease one should keep himself well protected from the weather and from all chilling drafts. When chilled or exhausted, he should use such measures as will increase bodily activity, and at the same time, as far as possible, supply the heat lost by exposure.

The following treatment is to be recommended: A hot full bath, or a hot foot bath, applying a fomentation to the spine, continuing each about twenty minutes, or until the patient feels thoroughly warmed, and begins to perspire; then make a short cold application, as a cool shower or sponge, and rub vigorously, with a rough towel. The use of the cold sponge bath every morning is excellent as a means of fortifying the system, and will not chill the person if taken properly.

The treatment for pneumonia is very simple. The high temperature should be combated with the wet-sheet pack, cool enema, or, if there is a tendency to chill, a warm sponge or fomentations to the spine, followed by a cool sponge. For the first twenty-four hours apply to the chest ice-cold compresses, with a fomentation once in two hours, changing the compresses about every ten minutes. Later in the disease apply hot fomentations to the chest, alternating with cold for a few seconds. Use about three changes, and treat the case in this way three times a day. Fomentations to the spine are also excellent. Give them occasionally as supportive treatment.

Give the patient all the fresh air possible, and plenty of water to drink, either hot or cold. Keep him quiet, and in every way try to save his strength. Insist on his remaining in bed from the first.

The diet should consist of only thoroughly cooked foods, omitting the more solid foods, thus giving what is called a “fever diet.” The patient may take gruels, stewed fruits, fruit juices, or milk. Malted nuts dissolved in hot water is excellent, as is also malted milk.

With the employment of these simple measures, pneumonia takes on a different nature.

The disease is more severe with those given to the use of tobacco and alcohol. Anything that enfeebles the system renders one more susceptible to pneumonia, and lessens the possibilities for recovery.