Under this general title may be comprehended two distinct classes of
volatilized substances, _viz._
Dry Fumes (_Suffitus_), and Watery Vapours (_Halitus_).
Before we enter upon the consideration of this particular form of
remedy, it may be necessary to state, generally, that it appears to be
capable of affording a very expeditious and powerful mode of affecting
the body by certain medicines. If the power of a remedy be so greatly
modified by circumstances affecting its solubility, as we have already
proved, it cannot be a matter of surprise that the still farther
diminution of its cohesion should occasion a corresponding influence
upon its energies; indeed it would appear that some few substances are
entirely inert when applied under any other form, see _Hydrargyrum_, in
the after part of this work. We are, moreover enabled by these means, to
bring various bodies into immediate contact with organs, which are
inaccessible to such remedies in every other state of aggregation. This
observation applies more particularly to the lungs, and the subject has
lately occupied the attention of a worthy and skilful physician, whose
work[305] is well entitled to the serious consideration of the
profession.
The practice of causing patients to inhale various volatilized
substances appears to have been of very ancient date. It has been
already stated in this work (p. 39) that the fumes of Orpiment were
directed to be breathed by Galen, and that the practice has been adopted
by practitioners of later date.[306] Few attempts of this kind however
were made, until the time of our countryman Bennet, the author of
“_Theatrum Tabidorum_,” who arranges volatilized substances into the two
classes which have been announced at the head of the present section,
_viz._ _Suffitus_, and _Halitus_. The numerous trials which have been
since made with the different gases must be in the remembrance of every
reader, but unfortunately, the injudicious and empirical spirit with
which these inquiries have hitherto been conducted, has thrown such
discredit upon the subject, that the practitioner who should resume the
investigation, must be prepared to hear his understanding, or his
integrity, questioned.
SUFFITUS. _Fumes of Burning Substances._ The particular forms of
pulmonary disease in which Tar fumes appear to be most serviceable, are
of the chronic kind; where an inflammatory diathesis prevails, or any
tendency to hæmopthysis exists, the practice cannot be said to be free
from danger. In treatment of hooping cough the inhalation of tar fumes
have been also said to be beneficial. For the mode of applying this
remedy, see _Pix Liquida_.
The practice of smoking the roots of _Stramonium_, _Tobacco_, &c. might
with propriety be noticed under this head. With the respect to the
former of these remedies, much has been said and written, and asthmatic
patients have occasionally expressed a belief in its palliative powers;
in my own practice however, I have never met with any success that has
inspired my confidence. See _Stramonii Herba_.
HALITUS. _Aqueous Vapours._ In certain catarrhal affections, when
accompanied with painful and difficult expectoration, benefit may be
occasionally obtained from the inhalation of the steam of hot water, or
of vinegar and water, the acid in this case assisting the expectoration,
while the whole acts as an emollient and soothing application to the
tender and inflamed vessels of the internal surface of the bronchial
tubes. The same practice is also highly serviceable in Cynanche
Trachealis, and Tonsillaris.
In Pneumonia, after the violence of the arterial excitement has been
reduced by depletory measures, the inhalation of the steam of hot water,
or decoctions of emollient herbs, will often contribute to the support
of an easy expectoration.
It has been already stated under the history of Expectorants (_page
106_), that in certain dry states of the air, the evaporation of water
in an artificially warmed apartment, is frequently attended with
considerable relief to the pulmonary patient.
In Dyspnæa, attended with a spasmodic condition of the pulmonary organs,
vapours impregnated with sulphuric æther have been recommended for
inhalation. Dr. Pearson also states that the efficacy of such an
application is materially enhanced by dissolving in it a portion of the
extract of Conium. Dr. Bôotcher of Copenhagen, has lately announced the
utility of vapours of camphor, in complaints affecting the cavities of
the nose, throat, and chest. He states that in the worst case of
stoppage of the nose from catarrh, a piece of camphor need only be kept
for a few minutes before it, to obtain great relief; the same
application has been known to produce good in Cynanche Tonsillaris.
In order to apply such inhalations we may employ the inhaler invented by
Dr. Mudge, or if that instrument be not at hand, the spout of a tea pot,
or a common basin with an inverted funnel, will be found very convenient
substitutes.