Asthma

Asthma examines the factors involved in the causation of asthma and their mode of action. The value of treatment on bacteriological lines is fully emphasized. Methods of examination and treatment are described, and the physiology and pathology of the disease are discussed. A statistical survey of 3,000 cases is presented, and all cases of asthma are classified into one of three fundamental types: Type I, the allergic or protein-hypersensitive type; Type II, the infective group; and Type III, the aspirin-sensitive group. Comprised of 19 chapters, this book begins with a detailed account of the intimate biophysical mechanism of sensitization, the phenomenona of anaphylaxis, and allergy. The reaction of the body to histamine and the hemoclasic crisis that occurs in the blood in anaphylaxis are also considered. The reader is then introduced to the definition of asthma as well as its anatomical and physiological aspects; etiological factors in asthma, including heredity; and signs and symptoms of a paroxysm of asthma. Subsequent chapters focus on several cases of asthma; treatment of acute paroxysm; treatment of all three types of asthma; and other complaints related to asthma. This monograph will be of interest to practitioners and specialists dealing with allergic diseases.

I.-Anaphylaxis, Allergy, and Sensitization Anaphylaxis: Passive Anaphylaxis The Anti-Anaphylaxis of Besredka Allergy: Allergy and Immunity Histamine The Haemoclasic CrisisII.-The Definition of Asthma : The Anatomical and Physiological AspectsIII.-Aetiological Factors : I. Heredity and Other Antecedents The Influence of Heredity : (1) Proof of Hereditary Influence (2) Does the Hereditary Influence Follow any Particular Law of Heredity? (3) How is the Influence Transmitted? Sensitization by a Surfeit of Protein Sensitization in Sucklings Occupational Asthma Predisposing Illnesses : (1) Infectious Diseases (2) The Injection of Sera and Vaccines (3) Infections of the Respiratory Tract (4) Other SepsisIV.-Aetiological Factors: II. The Aetiology of Asthma Tabulated Contractions of the Bronchial Muscle : (1) Stimulation of the Vagus Nerve (2) Stimulation of the Bronchial Muscle Indirectly (3) Stimulation of the Bronchial Muscle Directly (4) As a Result of Bacterial Infection (5) Endocrine Dysfunction Swelling of the mucous membrane : (1) Inflammatory (2) Urticarial Secretion into the Lumen of the Bronchial Tubes (1) Inflammatory (2) The Typical Asthmatical Sputum-Causes in CombinationV.-Aetiological Factors: III. Subsidiary Influences Physical Fitness Diet Purgation Menstruation Pregnancy Coughing and Laughing Cigarettes Locality Atmospheric Conditions Bedclothes Exercise Psychological Causes HabitVI.-Signs and Symtoms of a Paroxysm of Asthma The Prodromal Symptoms The Commencement of the Attack The Mechanical Effects of the Bronchial Obstruction The Symptoms at the Height of the Attack The Cough and the Passing of the Attack Unusual Symptoms General Symptoms Convalescence The Sputum : Eosinophil Cells Clinical Types of Asthma and their SymptomsVII.-Conditions Between the Attacks General Build and Facies of the Asthmatic Typical Asthmatic Deformities: (1) In Infancy (2) In Childhood (3) In the AdultVIII.-Pathology, Diagnosis, Prognosis, and ProphylaxisIX.-Examination of a Case of Asthma Sex and Age Incidence, and Sensitivity Data Routine of Examination : Clinical History Family History Prenatal History History of Foods History of Animals History of TreatmentX.-Examination of a Case of Asthma (Continued) Dermal Reactions : Cat Asthma Technique The Scratch Method The Intradermal Method The Puncture Method Reading the Results Obtained Proteins Used for Testing Protein Groups Experience with Individual Proteins House Dust Animal Hairs Feathers Orris-Root Foods Other Proteins Grass Pollens The Moulds Bacteria Reactions in Normal Persons Other Methods of Determining Sensitization : The Mucous Membranes The Method of Passive Transfer The Patch Test The Elimination Tests for Foods The Leucopenic Index Physical FactorsXI.-Examination of a Case of Asthma (Continued) Bacteriology in Asthma : (1) Primary Bacterial Infections (2) Secondary Bacterial Infections The Bacteriological Examination of a Case Investigation of a Particular Focus TechniqueXII.-Examination of a Case of Asthma (Continued) The Cytology and Biochemistry of the Blood Blood Calcium Blood-Sugar Blood-Counts in Asthma Blood-Pressure in Asthma The Clotting Time Clot-Retraction Eosinophilia The Colloidal Particles of the BloodXIII.-Examination of a Case of Asthma (Continued) Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate-Differential Sedimentation Test The Green Field The Red Field Type I Asthma Type II Asthma Type III AsthmaXIV.