To Prevent the Recurrence of Pneumonia.

Among those who have had experience, there is a positive belief that those who are once attacked with pneumonia are usually susceptible to its recurrence. With many it is apt to recur at times each winter or with the recurrence of certain conditions of the weather.

A very simple course will sometimes prevent these patients from having the second attack if the attack can be at all anticipated. In the first place, of course, the general conditions should be properly adjusted to the patient, and the patient should have the chest properly protected.

There are auxiliary methods, such as sponge baths, or with some patients cool sponge baths to the chest on rising in the morning, that are of assistance; but the most dependable measure is to administer three or four drops of the oil of turpentine on a square of loaf sugar three or four times a day for a long period, with the occurrence of the "preliminary cold" which usually leaves a bronchial or pneumonic difficulty.

The treatment does no harm. I find quite a number of physicians who should be more familiar with this common remedy, claim that they know nothing about it as an internal remedy, and I find that their belief is that very small doses will produce renal irritation.

It is only in very exceptional cases that anything less than a dose of from fifteen drops upwards, frequently repeated, will produce renal irritation and a tendency to hemorrhage.

Ellingwood's Therapeutist, Vol. 2, 1908, was edited by Finley Ellingwood M.D.