Studies on Epidemic Influenza: Comprising Clinical and Laboratory InvestigationsUniversity of Pittsburgh. School of Medicine
History
Studies on Epidemic Influenza: Comprising Clinical and Laboratory Investigations
University of Pittsburgh. School of Medicine
Influenza; Influenza Epidemic, 1918-1919
The pulse was invariably slow, or rather out of proportion to the
temperature. Even when the patient seemed very ill the pulse remained
from 84 to 96, and of surprisingly good quality. This was noted also
when some of the more severe pulmonary involvements or some
complications arose. The pulse frequently did not become rapid until
shortly before death. The respirations in an uncomplicated case also
remained about normal. The rate was not accelerated until lung
complications arose, and then a gradually increasing rate was often the
first herald of oncoming danger and a sign of grave prognostic import.
The relation of the pulse phenomena toward the end of a fatal case was
most remarkable. The respiratory rate was accelerated, as has been noted
above, but the pulse rate frequently remained unchanged, being
characteristically slow. In a patient seen in consultation with Dr.
Lester H. Botkin, of Duquesne, Pa., death took place while we were in
the sick room. It was a case of apparently uncomplicated influenza of
seven days’ duration. The respirations were rapid and the pulse was only
96. In the last five minutes of life the heart beats as observed with
the stethoscope never varied, until they suddenly ceased; during the
same time the respiratory efforts were only three agonal ones, the last
being a minute or so before the last heart beat. There were no physical
signs of consolidation at any time recognized in this case, but we feel
that the lung, had we seen it at autopsy, would in all likelihood have
shown the peculiar hemorrhagic and œdematous character so often observed
in the fatal cases.
There were, of course, marked exceptions to the description of slow
pulse and later rapid respirations observed. In some the pulse rate and
respirations increased, together with or without definite signs of a
grave complication.
_Cyanosis_
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account