Chapter 35 of 73
PNEUMONIA,
The Royal Road to Health; Or, the Secret of Health Without Drugs · Chas. A. (Charles Alfred) Tyrrell
Sometimes called Lung Fever, is an acute inflammation of the lungs, usually caused by a cold, and commencing with a chill and feverish symptoms. At first there is a dry cough and what is known as the brick dust sputum, and in the advanced stages a peculiar dark tint in the cheeks, known as the mahogany flush. The breathing becomes very hurried, rising as high as forty respirations per minute. It is an exceedingly rapid and frequently fatal form of disease.
TREATMENT.
Promptitude in dealing with the case is of the highest importance. If the colon had been kept clean and the lungs developed by exercise it could not have attacked you; therefore the first thing to be done is to use the "Cascade." Then the circulation must be equalized by drawing the blood to the skin and extremities—away from the congested lungs. A hot foot-bath will draw the blood to the extremities and a Turkish bath (see end of book) will do the same to the skin. If too weak to endure the Turkish bath, substitute a hot bath. Put the patient to bed immediately and apply a hot compress over the lungs, wrung out of hot brine, changing it as often as it gets cool. Give little, extremities-away any, food during the continuance of the disease; if any is given it should be light and nutritious. The above treatment, if employed in time, will save any case.