PLEUIUSY AND ITS TREATMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 142, 17 June 1899, Page 1 (Supplement)

PLEUIUSY AND ITS TREATMENT.

A very common disease at the changeable season of the year at present with us is pleurisy. This term means inflammation of the lining membrane (pleura) of the chest. People often speak of it as 'a stitch in the side,' because there is a sharp pain' on taking a deep breath, and the patient tends to lie on the ->iner and healthy side of the chest—that is, when one side alone is affected. There is fever present, and a hacking cough. The only safe course to be pursued when such symptoms set in is for the patient to go to bed, says Dr. Audrew Wilson. Many cases become dangerous simply through people attempting to go on working when they are utterly unfitted for it. Then, the cliost may be strapped on the affected side by means of strips of sticking plaster, or by means of a flannel binder, while in more severe cases the chest should have fomentations applied by means of flannels wrung out of hot water and sprinkled with turpentine. The food must he light but nourishing. The medicines appropriate for pleurisy are matter for doctor's prescribing; but one useful mixture is made as follows:—Carbonate of ammonia, one drachm; tincture of squills, three drachms; compound camphor tincture, half-an-ounee; and infusion of senega to make up six ounces. Label it*—One tablespoonful every four hou_-C