Respiratory Organs. Catarrh Of The Lungs. Pharyngitis. Consumption.

AFFECTIONS OF THE RESPIRATORY ORGANS.
Respiration is altogether mechanical, depending upon the constitution of the muscles of the chest, the extension of the latter, and the quantity of air inspired. If the capacity of the lungs be increased, all difficulty of breathing, coughs, etc., caused by an imperfect respiration, will soon disappear. In cases where defective respiration is the result of weakness of the respiratory muscles or of deformities of the chest, the movements have proved the best means for increasing the capacity of the respiratory organs. The effect of the medical gymnastics is to necessitate frequent and deep inspirations, and thus increase the capacity of the lungs, promoting pulmonary circulation and causing a more complete oxygenation of the venous blood.

CATARRH OF THE LUNGS.
Certain manipulations (hacking, clapping and shaking) on the chest have been used to induce expectoration. The movements must be such as to cause muscular activity and increase the secretion from the skin. Action upon the digestive organs will produce a derivative effect upon the lungs.

PHARYNGITIS AND LARYNGITIS.
Because massage of the neck and throat induces such an evacuation of the blood-vessels, it has been freely used for acute catarrh of the pharynx, trachea and nose. We are able by careful examination of the inflamed mucous membranes, before and after the application of massage, to notice directly the result.

Not the local symptoms only, but the headache, the pain in the forehead, the dizziness, etc., resulting from the stagnation of blood, disappear after a few treatments. By massage we also act upon the tonsils and other glands, thus assisting expectoration. Croup may sometimes be speedily relieved. Weiss has noted a case of croup in which a single application removed the most imminent peril. The massage of the neck and throat ought to be more freely used for these affections.

CONSUMPTION.
Some respiratory movements are used to make the patient more comfortable, increasing the inspiration and assisting the heart in its action. Massage of the lower extremities is sometimes applied to relieve the swelling and to increase the circulation. General massage is often recommended as a tonic, but should always be given in the forenoon, and never at night, as it has then a decided tendency to increase the night sweats.