USES BY INHALATION.—Inhalations of oxygen-gas are, in a general way, in dicated in conditions where there is a deficiency of oxygen, manifested by symptoms of asphyxia, dyspncea, or dis turbed nutrition, or when there is some functional disturbance of or impediment to respiration.
We find inhalations of oxygen useful and curative in the second and third stages of pneumonia when there is pres ent a deficient aeration of blood (cyano sis and dyspncea), with consequent heart distension. The pure gas may be used, but better results are obtained by dilut ing it with 10 per cent. of nitrous oxide. The inhalations may be applied at inter vals as required, or it may be necessary to keep them up continuously until all danger is passed.
The results of oxygen in chlorosis are absolutely negative. In cardiac or pul monary dyspncea a slight benefit was observed, but this ceased when the in halations were suspended. Oxygen is not to be compared with artificial res piration in syncope or morphine poison ing. In that of carbon monoxide, oxy gen proved very useful, as also in ani line poisoning, and to antagonize the disturbances caused by rarefied air. E.
Aron (La Semaine -filed., No. 21, 19011.
Oxygen inhalations are also beneficial in advanced bronchitis, especially in old persons. In stenosis of the larynx, croup, diphtheria, emphysema, heart dis ease, and in cedema, or marked conges tion of the lungs the dyspncea is greatly relieved by oxygen inhalations. In car diac asthma it has been shown that the condition of the heart-muscle and the aorta is of an active or predisposing cause. If the organic lesion be over looked, and a good prognosis given, sur prise may be occasioned by the sudden death of the patient from heart-failure. The accentuation of the second aortic sound is the most reliable sign. The dyspncea and cyanosis of cardiac insuffi ciency, Heitler says, may be promptly relieved by the combined use of mor phine and ether hypodermically, with inhalations of oxygen.
Catlin recommends oxygen as the remedy for profound shock, either from haemorrhage or nervous strain. He has used it successfully in Ill6morrhage at the sixth month of pregnancy followed by miscarriage, where the prostration was absolute, with shock and constant vomiting. He has also found oxygen in
halations of benefit in typhoid fever where the prostration was marked.
Oxygen inhalations are useful in the resuscitation of persons asphyxiated by coal-gas, sewer-gas, hydrogen sulphide, carbonic oxide and dioxide, and chloro form-vapor.
In simple anaemia and chlorosis, in pernicious anaamia, and also in leu inhalations have been fol lowed by great improvement.
As a stimulant inhalation and as a nervous sedative, inhalations of oxygen gas (60 parts) mixed with nitrous-oxide gas (40 parts) are highly recommended.
The combination of oxygen-gas with nitrous oxide or with the vapors of ether or chloroform has been used for the pur pose of overcoming the disadvantages of the latter remedies. Oxygen decreases the danger and obviates the untoward effects. When oxygen is used in combi nation with ether for general anaesthesia, we observed less vomiting, less pallor, and less post-operative depression. F. H. Markoe states that if anaesthesia be induced by oxygenated nitrous oxide, it can be most satisfactorily and safely prolonged with oxygenated ether (An nals of Surg., Feb., '96). Robert Abbe concurs in the opinion of Markoe, and remarks that there is no question of a gain of oxidation during etherization by the combined use of oxygen and ether. The patient's complexion is pinker, the blood in the wound more arterial, the minute arteries seem to spurt more, but the blood clots quickly, so that there is no greater hmmorrhage.
Having observed the practice of Dr. Landau, of Berlin, who has his patients inhale pure oxygen after the ether has been withdrawn, one should be con vinced that the practice is a most useful and valuable one. The immediate ef fects of inhaling oxygen are: the dusky hue of the face disappears, and the pulse becomes fuller and slower; there is also a more rapid recovery of consciousness and freedom from vomiting and pain. T. Parvin (Med. and , Surg. Reporter, Apr. 4, '96).