RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Children and infants are subject to the same general class of
dis-eases as are adults and there are no dis-eases which are
particularly peculiar to childhood. The incoördinations are not
peculiar but rather the children as patients are peculiar. The
incoördinations of the child’s respiratory system are practically the
same as those affecting the respiratory system of the adult but there
are certain peculiarities of the patient that should be considered.
Our work will be principally the consideration of these peculiarities
rather than the incoördinations themselves. It is not our thought to
produce a work on symptomatology.
ACUTE NASAL CATARRH
This is also called coryza, cold in the head and acute
rhinopharyngitis. It is a very common condition in infants and small
children and one that is readily recognized and easily handled
chiropractically. It is very essential that we be able to distinguish
between a simple acute nasal catarrh and the coryza which accompanies
such conditions as measles, influenza, and nasal diphtheria. If in
these conditions there is profuse discharge tinged with blood for two
or three weeks, nasal diphtheria should be suspected, even though
there are no other very serious symptoms. With a very young infant a
persistent acute nasal catarrh may indicate syphilis. In such a case,
a careful watch should be kept for more positive symptoms.
Symptoms
The onset may be more or less sudden with sneezing and a slight
fever. There is a profuse discharge from the nose in severe cases
which at first is seromucous and later becomes mucopurulent. The
mucous membrane is red and swollen. The equation for the mucous
membrane is calorific plus and N.C.R. for the mucopurulent discharge.
In severe cases there may be a temperature of 103° F. to 105° F. with
marked constitutional disturbances. In the mild cases the symptoms
will be less severe and many times very transient.
Results are obtained very quickly with acute nasal catarrh or coryza
and when the adjustment is given at the beginning of the symptoms
there will be no complications. However, if the condition is allowed
to run until it has gained momentum, longer time will be required for
results and there may be distressing complications. If the condition
is not corrected at once the throat may become involved and even the
bronchi, which may develop into bronchopneumonia. Retropharyngeal
abscesses may also develop. Nasal catarrh may continue until it
becomes chronic.
Equation
Primarily the equation in nasal catarrh is M-. In the capillaries
of the mucous membrane lining the nasal passages this results in
hyperemia of the blood vessels and exudation. This results in C+ in
the mucous membrane. The exudation which at first is a colorless
fluid soon becomes mucopurulent from the C+ so the equation for the
exudation becomes N.C.R.
Family
The family for the C+ condition in the mucous membrane is fever
family, while the N.C.R. condition is in the degenerations family.
The products of the degeneration may produce symptoms in the poison
family.
Adjustment
The major adjustment for acute nasal catarrh is M.C.P. and K.P.
Conditions of this kind are sometimes aggravated by the care which
the child receives at the hands of a careless mother. She may keep
the child too warm or not warm enough. Often a child is dressed so
warmly that the least exertion will cause profuse perspiration.
Then the child “takes cold” because of the inability of Innate
Intelligence to bring about an intellectual adaptation in so short a
time. An infant may be and should be kept very warm, but as the child
grows older he should be allowed sufficient freedom, especially in
the summer time, to permit of exercise and yet not become too warm.
The hygienic measures to be used are attention to the sleeping rooms,
which should be properly ventilated, always having plenty of air at
night, and the house temperature during the day. This should be from
65°F to 68°F.
FOREIGN BODIES LODGED IN THE NOSE
Children often in their play will place such foreign bodies as peas,
beans, buttons, beads and other small objects in their noses. These
set up a mechanical irritation and produce swelling of the mucous
membrane and often pain. If the object remains for any length of
time there is likely to be a profuse discharge of a mucopurulent
character. If there is such a discharge from only one, nostril
special attention should be given to determine the presence of any
foreign body and if there be one the child should be taken to a
surgeon at once. If the discharge continues following the removal it
will be due to a subluxation at M.C.P., which is interfering with
the transmission of mental impulses preventing normal adaptation and
reparation taking place. This should be adjusted. However, if there
are no subluxations the injury which was done by the mechanical
obstruction will be repaired in a short time.
CHRONIC NASAL CATARRH
Chronic nasal catarrh, also called chronic rhinitis, is a chronic
inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the nasal passages and
pharynx. There may be structural changes take place resulting in
injury to the organs of smell, taste, hearing, speech and respiration.
Symptoms
The mucous membrane becomes congested and swollen. There is a
constant mucous or mucopurulent discharge from the nose. The air
passages may be partially or completely closed. If the child is old
enough the nose may be easily freed from this discharge by blowing.
If the child is not old enough to do this great inconvenience and
discomfort will be experienced. The upper lip may become irritated,
swollen and permanently enlarged and prominent from the constant
blowing and wiping the nose. The excretion produces a constant
irritation. There is a marked tendency on the part of the child to
constantly pick at the nose; this tends to increase the irritation
both of the nose and the upper lip. Usually there are adenoid
growths, which will produce mouth breathing and may interfere
with the function of hearing. A very marked characteristic is the
inclination for the child to continually snuffle.
If the condition is allowed to remain for a long time without
adjustments, ulcerations may occur on the mucous membrane; the
discharge from this will be very offensive. In the atrophic form
ozena is very common. Ozena is a very fetid discharge from the nasal
cavity associated with ulcerations which may involve the bones of the
nose.
Equation
The equation is the same as the acute form with the exception that
the N.C.R. condition becomes more prominent.
Family
Same as the acute form except that the degenerations family takes
precedence over the other families involved.
Major Adjustment
The adjustment is the acute condition—M.C.P. and K.P. A greater
length of time will be required, however, than in the acute stage,
but the prognosis is always good. In caring for a child in this
condition the parents and attendants should exercise care that there
is no unnecessary irritation of the nose and local parts. The nose
should be kept clean and as soft a handkerchief as possible used in
wiping the nose. During the process of retracing discharge from the
nose will pass through practically the same stages as during the
progress from the acute stage. The process is just reversed. The
scabs that form in the nose now begin to soften and the discharge
continues to change until it becomes as it was in the beginning of
the acute stage in a thin watery discharge. Finally the discharge
ceases entirely and the child is well.
EPISTAXIS
Nose bleed does not often occur in infants but is quite common during
childhood. It is the result of interference with the transmission of
motor mental impulses to the muscular walls of the capillaries of the
nose. Epistaxis may result from a fall or blow on the nose. It occurs
as an early symptom of different incoördinations such as typhoid
fever and measles; as a matter of fact, it occurs in the hemorrhagic
form of all eruptive fevers, in some cases of diphtheria, and in
dis-eases of the heart and blood vessels.
Epistaxis is often considered of little consequence, but it may be
a very serious condition and even result in death. It is especially
serious when occurring in infants.
Equation
The equation for epistaxis is M. There is a relaxation of the
muscular walls of the capillaries resulting in the hemorrhage.
Family
Epistaxis is in the prolapsis family due to the relaxation of the
muscular fibers in the walls of the capillaries.
Adjustment
The adjustment for epistaxis is M.C.P., and in most cases this is
fourth cervical. In some cases the results come instantly. The
prognosis is always good when the proper adjustment is given.
INCOÖRDINATIONS OF THE LARYNX
CROUP
Croup is an inflammation of the larynx characterized by a more
or less severe spasm of the laryngeal muscles. This spasmodic
contraction distinguishes it from similar affections in adults. The
spasm produced is very often more marked and results in more severe
symptoms than does the inflammation. This incoördination is also
called spasmodic laryngitis and catarrhal croup.
Symptoms
In spasmodic laryngitis or croup there is a slight catarrhal
inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the larynx and a marked
spasm of the larynx. There may be a slight discharge from the nose
and slight hoarseness. The attacks usually come on at night with a
hollow, metallic cough. About this time there is difficult breathing
and the cough becomes more severe and of a teasing nature, the
child making every possible effort to keep from coughing. The voice
becomes husky but is seldom lost. There is rapid pulse and a slight
temperature seldom over 101° F. The attack lasts three or four hours,
after which the child will fall asleep. The dyspnea is aggravated
and the spasm increased by excitement. During the day the child
will appear well except for the slight cough and hoarseness, but
the second night the attack will return with about the same degree
of severity as that of the first night. Usually the attack may not
return the third night or if it does it will be less severe.
Spasmodic laryngitis should not be confused with laryngismus
stridulus, membraneous croup or with acute catarrhal laryngitis.
According to Holt and Howland laryngismus stridulus occurs only in
infants, and there is not only stridulous breathing, but also periods
of complete arrest of respiration.
Major Adjustment
Lower cervical and S.P. is the combination major to use in this
incoördination. Under adjustments results are often obtained
immediately with no recurrence of the attack the following night.
In chronic cases enlarged tonsils and adenoid growths may be found.
This, however, will not change the adjustment or the combination,
but will increase the amount of time required to completely correct
the condition so far as the chronicity is concerned. It will not
interfere with the relief from acute attacks.
LARYNGISMUS STRIDULUS
This incoördination, according to Holt and Howland, occurs only in
infancy. It is characterized by muscular spasms in the larynx with
marked dyspnea.
Symptoms
There may be complete arrest of respiration for short periods,
during which there will also be a marked lack of oxygenation of the
blood. There may be recurrence of these attacks several times a
day, and unless adjustments are given may last for weeks. There may
be general convulsions and carpopedal spasms which are spasmodic
contractions of the joints of the hands and feet. During the periods
of arrested breathing the face becomes cyanosed. This terminates with
a slight cough or a high-pitched crowing sound produced by the sudden
inspiration of air. Because of this it is sometimes called “child
crowing.” It is also known as thymic asthma and spasms of the glottis.
* * * * *
=Major Adjustment=
The combination major is lower cervical and stomach place. Under
adjustments results are obtained in a very short time, in many cases
almost instantly.
ACUTE CATARRHAL LARYNGITIS
This incoördination is found in children from one to five years of
age. It may be severe and even cause death. It may be a secondary
condition following measles, scarlet fever, influenza and other
like incoördinations; however, it may result directly and not be
associated with any other condition. It is often aggravated by
inhaling steam, gases or irritating dusts.
There is congestion and inflammation of the mucous membrane lining
the larynx; there is swelling and dryness of the membrane followed by
an exudate which may become profuse. If the swelling is exaggerated
there will be stenosis of the larynx. The vocal cords become swollen
and produce aphonia.
Symptoms
The symptoms are hoarseness, dry metallic cough, which may become
very severe and teasing. The onset is sudden with a marked tendency
to cough, especially during the night. The voice often is entirely
lost and the larynx becomes sore and painful. There is dyspnea and
the respirations are short and shallow.
In some cases which develop more slowly there will be coryza for a
day or two preceding the severe attack, or the laryngeal symptoms
may precede the acute symptoms. The onset, however, may be very rapid
and the most severe symptoms be present within a very few hours after
the manifestation of the first symptom. In the well developed, case
the cough is dry, metallic, barking and stridulus. The inspiration
is labored. The dyspnea is severe, occurring in paroxysms during the
night. There is temperature, rapid pulse and increased respiration.
If the inflammation extends down into the bronchi it will result in
bronchopneumonia. Laryngeal obstruction may occur often and prove
very severe.
It is sometimes very difficult and in some cases impossible to
distinguish acute catarrhal laryngitis from membranous laryngitis or
laryngeal diphtheria. This is not so important to the chiropractor,
for if adjustments are given soon enough results will be obtained
before positive diagnostic symptoms have time to develop. However,
it is well to be thoroughly informed on the difference in the
symptoms since the chiropractor is sometimes not called in until the
condition is well under way. At the onset the two conditions are
very much alike, which is very reasonable to the chiropractor, since
the only difference is in degree of severity, due to a different
combination, and a difference in degree of the functions involved
resulting from the same combination o£ subluxations. In the catarrhal
condition the temperature is usually greater than in the membranous
form. The dyspnea in catarrhal laryngitis is usually paroxysmal; it
is less exaggerated during the day but worse at night, while the
membranous type is constant and rapidly becomes more exaggerated.
The dyspnea occurs on both inspiration and expiration, while in the
catarrhal form it occurs only on inspiration. If the culture shows
Klebs-Loeffler bacilli it is considered laryngeal diphtheria.
Major Adjustment
As has been stated, the chiropractor gives the same adjustment
whether it is membranous or catarrhal. The major combination is L.C.
and S.P. with K.P. Excellent results are obtained from adjustments in
these cases. When the first symptoms are manifest adjustments should
be given immediately in order to get the best results. The usual
difficulty in such cases is that the parents consider the condition
only a cold and of little importance. Therefore, they neglect taking
the child to a chiropractor until great momentum has developed.
Such cases necessitate a greater amount of time before results are
obtained.
CHRONIC LARYNGITIS
This form is simply a prolongation of the acute form, but may be
associated with adenoid growths of the pharynx, with tuberculosis of
the larynx, with syphilis or with new growths in the larynx.
Symptoms
The symptoms are similar to those in the acute stage except they are
not so severe.
It is not uncommon to find adenoid growths in the pharynx of the
very young infant. There is a superficial inflammation of the mucous
membrane producing a local calorific plus. This is the result of
interference with transmission of mental impulses to these tissues
and when this interference is removed Innate Intelligence will
function normally and the growths will disappear.
Major Adjustment
The adjustment is the same as in the case of acute laryngitis. The
results will be slower in the chronic case than in the acute case,
but in the course of time the child will be entirely relieved of
the condition without the aid of surgery. If the proper adjustment
is given during the acute attack the condition will never reach the
chronic state.
A chronic laryngitis is often accompanied by papillomatous growths
which occur very early in life, in most cases during the first year.
This condition occurs more often in boys than in girls. The size and
location of the growths determine the severity of the symptoms. There
is paroxysmal cough, dyspnea, loss of voice, and hoarseness. The
symptoms usually develop so slowly that they do not attract attention
until the growth has attained quite a size. Holt states that the
prognosis is usually serious from a surgical standpoint because
there is danger of bronchopneumonia following the operation. It is
also stated that operations have been largely given up because of
the tendency of the papilloma to return in increasing numbers. These
tumors are the result of the interference with transmission of mental
impulses to the tissues, preventing the normal personification of
Innate Intelligence in the production of function. Under adjustments
which results in the restoration of the normal transmission excellent
results are obtained. In the course of time under adjustments the
growths will disappear and with them all the symptoms of the chronic
laryngitis. Adjustments should be given just as soon as the growths
are suspected and kept up until the symptoms have disappeared.
TUBERCULAR LARYNGITIS
Tubercular laryngitis is seldom found in infants and is rare even in
later childhood. Usually pulmonary tuberculosis develops later; by
some it is considered to be always associated with it. There is cough
and hoarseness with aphonia, expectoration of mucopurulent or in some
instances bloody character. Microscopic examination of the sputum
reveals the tubercle bacilli. Results are obtained under adjustments,
providing a sufficient amount of time is allowed to permit Innate
to overcome the momentum and rebuild the structures that have been
destroyed.
FOREIGN BODIES IN LARYNX AND BRONCHI
Children are likely to acquire the habit of putting small objects,
such as buttons, small playthings, and even pins, into their mouths.
If the child becomes frightened, tries to cough, laugh or cry that
which is held in the mouth at the time is likely to be drawn into the
larynx and may lodge there, especially if it is sharp or has rough
edges. If, however, it is a smooth object, such as a button or bean,
it is more likely to pass into the bronchi, usually the right one.
When the foreign body enters the larynx there will be violent
coughing which may result in the expulsion of the object. If it is
not immediately expelled but becomes impacted in the larynx there
will be marked dyspnea and even death from suffocation.
When the foreign body passes the larynx it will lodge, usually, in
one of the bronchi or at the bifurcation of the trachea. If this
occurs there will be localized pain over the region of the foreign
body. There is a cough and may be spitting of blood. The irritation
will result in a local inflammation; this may result in the formation
of an abscess which may prove serious. In some cases following
such conditions there is prolonged illness resembling pulmonary
tuberculosis during which there may be sufficient relaxation in
the muscular walls of the bronchi to permit the foreign body being
expelled during a paroxysm of coughing. This has occurred in many
cases. Following the expulsion of the foreign body the patient
recovers very rapidly. In some cases there are repeated attacks of
pneumonia. The health of the child becomes greatly impaired and thus
he becomes easily susceptible to the acute attacks which may prove
too much for the adaptability of the body.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a foreign body in the larynx are characteristic and
consists in the very sudden appearance of the attacks and also in
the severity of the symptoms. There will be a history of something
having been in the child’s mouth, or the possibility of the child
having placed some object in his mouth. A metallic body can always be
located by means of the X-ray.
Ordinarily these cases do not come within the scope of Chiropractic.
There might be a subluxation which would prevent adaptation from
taking place, and if so, an adjustment might result in a relaxation
of the muscles to such an extent that the foreign body could be
expelled by coughing. These cases are traumatic and should be taken
to a competent surgeon at once.
EDEMA OF THE GLOTTIS
This is a dropsical condition of the glottis and is very rare in
infancy or early childhood. Usually there will be other symptoms
indicating abnormality of the kidneys.
Symptoms
If the edema is great enough there will be attacks of suffocation
because of the interference with inspiration. There is very little if
any interference with expiration. There may be hoarseness, painful
and difficult swallowing and a cough. The symptoms may come on
suddenly and develop very rapidly and soon result fatally.
Equation and Major Adjustment
The equation for the local condition is secretion plus (T+). If the
condition is involved with nephritis the equation for the nephritis
is calorific plus (C+) in the kidneys with N.C.R. in suppurative
nephritis, which results in excretion minus (E-). The major
adjustment is K.P. with S.P. and local L.C.
INCOÖRDINATIONS OF THE LUNGS
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
The thorax of the infant is shaped somewhat different from that of
the adult, being more cylindrical, the antero-posterior being nearly
the same as the transverse diameter. The transverse diameter begins
to increase about the third year and this continues until puberty
when the typical conical or dome-shaped thorax is attained.
In the infant and young child the walls of the thorax are exceedingly
yielding and elastic. This is because the greater portion is made up
of cartilaginous tissue before the completed ossification of the bony
structures has taken place.
The thoracic muscles are imperfectly developed. This makes the
thoracic walls very thin. In well nourished infants the walls are
made thicker by the abundance of fat which is found deposited on
them. The diaphragm is very high in the infant and this greatly
decreases the capacity of the thorax as well as does the frequent
distention of the stomach and intestinal tract because of the
accumulation of gas. The trachea and bronchi of the infant are
comparatively larger than in the adult, the air cells are much
smaller, and for this reason a slight acute congestion will
interfere almost as much with their function as will hepatization.
This necessitates immediate action in all conditions which involve
the respiratory tract, and especially those which affect the lungs
or bronchi. In all such cases results are obtained very quickly
under adjustments. In the child there is a greater tendency for the
inflammation to spread in the lung tissue than in an adult.
ACUTE CATARRHAL BRONCHITIS
There is probably no one acute incoördination affecting infants and
children that is so common as acute catarrhal bronchitis, commonly
called cold in the chest. During the cold months, and especially in
the late winter and early spring, there are a great many cases. The
chiropractor who is careful in handling these incoördinations will
find no class of cases that will give more satisfactory results. The
analyzing must be done very carefully and the vertebrae must be moved
from the very beginning because if results are not obtained quickly
the inflammation will spread to the air vesicles very rapidly. When
this occurs there is danger of serious complications.
Symptoms
In the more mild form of bronchitis the symptoms develop rather
gradually and the first noticed may be a coryza or nasal catarrh.
As the bronchi become involved there will be a slight rise in the
temperature, noticeably increased respiration, and a slight cough.
There may be restlessness, anorexia and vomiting, usually caused by
swallowing the mucous that is coughed up.
Rales are heard over the entire chest. These appear very early
and may remain for some little time after all other symptoms have
disappeared. It is very common to hear coarse rales with a very
slight cold in the young infant.
If the condition is permitted to go for some little time without
adjustments the symptoms become more severe. The cough becomes more
serious, there is dyspnea, increased fever and a moderate degree of
prostration which increases as time goes on. During inspiration the
nostrils will be noticeably dilated. In most cases there is great
difficulty in nursing. In the later stages there is usually great
prostration. The cry becomes feeble and the cough weak, there is
rapid superficial respiration and feeble pulse. The facial expression
is dull and there may be stupor and apathy. The attacks may come on
very suddenly and terminate fatally in a very short time. Therefore
it is necessary for action from the adjustments to be obtained as
quickly as possible.
Equation and Family
The subluxation at lower cervical or upper dorsal region interferes
with the transmission of mental impulses to the bronchi. The function
primarily involved is motor which results in a relaxation of the
muscular walls of the capillaries. This produces hyperemia and
congestion from which there is an exudate of mucous. At first it is
clear, but with normal heat applied to this exudate it soon becomes
mucopurulent. This gives calorific plus, therefore the equation for
the mucous membrane lining the bronchi is calorific plus (C+) with
N.C.R. for the mucopurulent discharge. The equation for the general
fever is C+. The family is fever and degenerations.
The major adjustment for acute catarrhal bronchitis is L.C. or Up.D.
with K.P. In some cases CP. will be included in the combination.
CHRONIC BRONCHITIS
It can readily be seen that chronic bronchitis would not often be
found with the very young infant. In early childhood it is more often
found and frequently follows the acute attack or is the sequel of
measles, influenza or whooping-cough. Unhygienic surroundings may
tend to influence and exaggerate the condition.
Symptoms
There is little or no fever, although the cough is bad; there is
very little if any dyspnea. The condition becomes worse during cold
weather, and the patient is usually subject to attacks of acute
bronchitis. There may be no constitutional symptoms and the general
health of the patient may not be greatly affected.
If there is a light rise in the bodily temperature regularly in
the evening, with loss of weight and slight anemia, pulmonary
tuberculosis should be suspected.
Major Adjustment
The adjustment for chronic bronchitis is the same as that for acute
bronchitis, Up.D. and K.P. If the child receives adjustments during
the acute attack the chronic condition will not develop.
A child suffering with chronic bronchitis should be given adjustments
immediately and the results will be most satisfactory, complete
recovery resulting in a very short time.
BRONCHIAL CROUP (Fibrinous Bronchitis)
This incoördination is relatively rare in small children, except in
diphtheria, when it appears as a contamination into the bronchi from
the larynx and trachea. It may be acute or chronic and affects all
ages from infancy to puberty. The characteristics are severe dyspnea
and the coughing up of fibrinous casts from the large bronchi after
which there is a marked improvement. As the exudate collects again
the symptoms reappear. In the chronic form there is dyspnea and
expectoration of fibrinous casts.
Major Adjustment
The adjustment for fibrinous bronchitis is the same as that for
other forms of bronchitis. The prognosis is excellent, providing
adjustments are given in time to enable Innate to overcome the
momentum. Results are obtained in a very short time.
PNEUMONIA
Aside from digestive disturbances, the most common incoördinations
affecting infants are those involving the lungs, and especially as a
sequel following the so-called infectious dis-eases. The different
types of pneumonia are named according to the area of the lungs
involved and the nature of the changes affecting them. The two
general divisions are bronchopneumonia and lobar pneumonia. These two
principal groups are divided into several subdivisions according to
the particular pathology and stage of development. It is not of vital
importance to the chiropractor to know just what part of the lungs or
bronchi is involved or the nature of the pathology. He must, however,
be sufficiently familiar with symptoms to correctly determine the
zone in which the incoördination is located. In bronchopneumonia the
entire bronchial wall of the small bronchi is affected, while in
lobar pneumonia the bronchitis is usually very superficial and the
terminal bronchi and alveoli are filled with a fibrant exudate. An
entire lobe may be involved or the inflammation may involve only part
of a lobe. Very often the two varieties, bronchopneumonia and lobar
pneumonia will be present in the same case, one variety affecting
one part of the lung, while the other variety will affect another
part of the lung. In children by far the larger percentage of cases
of pneumonia is of the bronchopneumonia type; however, as has been
stated, the type of pneumonia is of little importance, but the
location of the zone or zones is of vital importance.
Bronchopneumonia occurs most often during the winter months, being
more prevalent in late winter or early spring. One or both lungs
may be involved, but the most common seat of the inflammation is
the lower left lobe, or if in front only, the right apex. The local
subluxation producing this condition will be found to be the second
or third dorsal vertebra, which is producing the pressure upon the
nerves and interfering with the transmission of mental impulses.
As a result there is a relaxation of the muscular fibers of the
blood vessels which results in a distention of these vessels in the
affected area. The seat of the catarrhal inflammation is in the
mucous membrane of the large and small bronchi.
Symptoms
The most frequent type of bronchopneumonia among infants is the
acute congestive type. Its duration may be only one or two days.
The symptoms develop very rapidly and produce a great shock to the
nervous system because of the suddenness and severity of the attack.
There is a sudden rise of temperature and prostration is very great
from the beginning. There is cyanosis and rapid respiration. There
may be no cough. There may be little or no pain felt in the chest.
During respiration the expansion of the affected side will be less
than that of the unaffected side. However, this must not be confused
with the natural tendency found in extremely young infants; when a
child is placed in certain positions the expansion of one lung will
be greater than that of the other. In the severe cases there is
profound stupor and other cerebral symptoms, such as dullness, apathy
and there may be convulsions. The progress of the incoördination is
very rapid, due to the sudden engorgement of the lungs, which in the
infant produces symptoms almost the same as those of consolidation in
older children or in adults. This is due to the air vesicles being
extremely small. These cases should be adjusted as soon as there is
a manifestation of symptoms, otherwise the momentum of the dis-ease
may, because of its rapid progress, become so great that it will be
impossible for Innate to overcome. When the medium and small sized
bronchi only are affected, it is known as capillary bronchitis. The
symptoms will be very much the same as in the type just mentioned,
with the exception that in this type there is always a more or less
severe cough. Prostration is not so great and the symptoms do not
develop so rapidly. There is very rapid respiration with dyspnea and
rales over the entire chest. There are symptoms which will indicate
consolidation. While bronchopneumonia may come on very abruptly, yet
it is not uncommon for the symptoms of bronchitis to merge gradually
into those of pneumonia. From a chiropractic standpoint it would
make little difference to the chiropractor whether the condition was
called bronchitis or bronchopneumonia, for if adjustments are given
at the beginning results will be obtained before a diagnostician
would be able to make a positive diagnosis.
Children with pneumonia should not be permitted to lie in one
position for any length of time. A constant change in the position
is essential to prevent the accumulation of the exudate in a
localized area. The child may be more easily cared for and made
more comfortable by being held in the arms of an adult. This will
permit frequent changing of the child’s position with very little
disturbance to the child. In all cases of pneumonia plenty of
fresh air is essential, but if there is any bronchitis, care must
be exercised that the air is not too cold. In cases involving
hepatization there is no danger of having the air too cold.
Symptoms of Lobar Pneumonia
Lobar pneumonia is not so frequent in infants as is bronchopneumonia
although it does occur occasionally in early infancy. The previous
health of the child seems to make little difference, since it often
occurs in the strong and robust children. As a matter of fact, the
strong child is more likely to contract this form of pneumonia.
There are three stages in lobar pneumonia. There is: first, the
congestion; second, the red hepatization, in which the lung becomes
filled with a fibrant exudate containing red blood corpuscles;
the third stage, that of gray hepatization, wherein the exudate
undergoes a decomposition. These stages are of little importance to
the chiropractor, except to indicate the degree of momentum attained
by the incoördination. The first symptoms usually consist in loss
of appetite, general weakness and headache. There is restlessness,
excessive thirst, dry skin and a high temperature. There is rapid
pulse and the respirations are from forty to fifty per minute.
During the night the child is restless and slightly delirious.
Occasionally there are convulsions, but this is very rare.
Equation and Family
The chiropractor is concerned chiefly in the location of the
incoördination and the family involved. In order to determine
the family it is first necessary to know the functions that are
abnormally involved. From the symptoms given we observe readily
that all cases of pneumonia, of whatever type, will be in the fever
family, but it is quite obvious that this is not the only family
involved. From the symptoms manifest we recognize that there is
hyperemia and exudate, that this exudate undergoes degeneration
and thus becomes of a toxic nature. The fever, or C+ condition,
is exaggerated by the presence of this poison being retained in
the body. This gives us an overlapping of the poison and the fever
families.
Major Adjustment
The major for the poison family is K.P.; for the fever family C.P.,
the local being Lu.P.; therefore, the combination major is lung
place, center place, and kidney place. In making an analysis of the
infant with pneumonia it is of the utmost importance to select the
specific vertebra in these different regions. Although the patient
will have quite a temperature, in many cases a hot box may be
detected in the spine. In endeavoring to find a hot box in the spine
of an infant the back of the patient should be exposed for sufficient
length of time to eliminate the possibility of the temperature being
greater at one point than at another because of clothing that may
have been heavier at one point than at another.
The vertebra causing the impingement at lung place may be either
second or third dorsal. This should be determined by very careful
palpation and by the presence of the hot box. We cannot emphasize
too greatly the necessity for very careful palpation, since in the
child nerve tracing can very seldom be used. In severe cases it may
be necessary to adjust as often as once every six hours. With careful
conscientious work on the part of the chiropractor, there should
be very little danger in losing a patient, even in the most severe
cases, and if the adjustments are given in the early stages of the
dis-ease, the more marked symptoms will not develop, results will be
shown in a very few hours and the child will recover in a short time.
ASTHMA
The type of asthma found among adults very seldom affects infants.
The most common form is associated with mild attacks of bronchitis
and is of a catarrhal nature. The attacks are very likely to
accompany or be associated with different incoördinations involving
the bronchi. In some cases the attacks seem to be exaggerated by
certain kinds of food which the child eats. It is thought by some
that attacks are brought on by the indigestion of some foreign
protein. These proteins are very numerous and it is very difficult
to determine the particular food in which the offending protein is
found. In some patients an attack of asthma may be brought on by the
eating of eggs. From a chiropractic standpoint we do not consider
that the cause of asthma is in the food which the child eats,
although there might be an interference with transmission which would
impede the normal processes of digestion, this would result in the
production of a poison which might produce certain symptoms. This,
however, does not change the fact that when the subluxations are
properly adjusted the incoördinations will disappear, regardless of
the kind of food that the patient eats.
Symptoms
The acute attack of asthma is accompanied with slight fever and
acute catarrhal symptoms. Later the typical asthmatic symptoms
appear in which there is a constriction of the bronchi due to spasms
of the unstriped muscular fibers. There is hyperemia in the mucous
membrane and a slight exudate. Usually the tonsils are enlarged and
there are adenoid growths. There is more or less severe dyspnea,
moderate cyanosis and, in severe cases, prostration. The peculiarity
in respiration consists in a short inhalation with slow, labored
exhalation. Dyspnea may be so severe that it is impossible for the
child to breathe lying down. There is an almost constant dry teasing
cough. Many infants suffering from asthma are inclined to be rachitic.
Equation
The functions involved are motor and calorific; C+ for the heat in
the mucous membrane lining the bronchi and M+ for the contraction,
muscular contraction in the bronchi, with T+ for the accumulation of
the mucin.
Family
This condition involves two families, the fever and spasms family.
Major Adjustment
Asthma is caused by a subluxation in the lower cervical or the upper
dorsal region, producing pressure upon the nerves which transmit
mental impulses to the pharynx and bronchi, interfering primarily
with the motor function. The major adjustment is lower cervical or
upper dorsal in combination with kidney place.