=Congestion of the lungs= may be active, passive or hypostatic. The two
former have particular osteopathic significance, owing to the lesions
involved.
=Active congestion= may result from violent physical exertion,
excessive alcoholic indulgence, inhalation of hot air or as a symptom
in pneumonia and other pulmonary affections. There is dyspnea and cough
with rusty expectoration of a frothy nature. There may be absence of
fever. But generally a slight chill followed by moderate fever, pain in
side, and cough are the principal symptoms. On percussion, the note is
dull with increased tactile fremitus and bilateral involvement.
=Prognosis= is good under osteopathic treatment, but it must be
promptly met as it is usually a symptom of another disease.
=Treatment= is the same as in the beginning of pneumonia.
=Passive congestion=, when not hypostatic, is mechanical and due to
an impeded return of blood to the left heart from mitral stenosis, or
regurgitation, dilatation of the right ventricle and cerebral disease.
The lungs are large with distended pulmonary vessels with venous blood
in the air spaces. There is dyspnea and cough, with blood-streaked,
frothy expectorations.
The =treatment= is primarily of the condition causing the congestion,
but in addition the upper ribs should be raised and thorough treatment
of the abdomen and elevating the diaphragm are beneficial.
=Hypostatic congestion= results from a weakened heart in exhaustion,
infection or old age; also from continued dorsal decubitus. Rheumatic
fever, tuberculosis and other constitutional diseases, as well as
organic growths, may predispose. The condition gives rise to a mild
form of lobar pneumonia. =Symptoms= are not well defined and often are
not recognized. There may be slight dullness, increased fremitus, moist
rales and other signs of a venous engorgement.
In =treatment= the first move is to change position of the patient and
then look after any underlying cause. Osteopathically, follow treatment
of pneumonia. In all cases of circulatory involvement of the lungs,
treatment to relax muscles or to adjust vertebræ and rib lesions to
the vasomotor nerves of the lungs is very efficacious. Landois (1904)
says: “Irritation of sensory nerves, particularly if intense and long
continued, causes a dilatation of the vessels in the areas innervated
by them.”