Civil War Washington

CASE 13.—Intercurrent pneumonia.—Private Michael Laly, Co. K, 2d Mich., was admitted Oct. 21, 1861, as a case of typhoid fever. This man had been sick with continued fever for six days prior to his admission, during which time he was treated with diaphoretics and tonics. On the 22d his pulse was 84, tongue dry and brown, skin hot and dry. Three five-grain doses of quinine were given with blue-mass and ipecacuanha. Next day the pulse was 80, the skin cool and the tongue moist. Four two-grain doses of quinine were given with Dover's powder at bedtime. There was a diarrhœa of two or three stools daily from the 24th to the 28th, and the tongue became dry and brown in the centre. On the 29th the pulse was 90 and quick, the tongue dry and tremulous, the skin hot; stupor, much delirium, frequent dry cough, some uneasiness on inspiration and crepitation in the lower part of the left side of the chest were among the symptoms recorded on this day. Calomel, ipecacuanha and quinine with turpentine emulsion and chlorate of potash were prescribed, and a blister applied to the left side. Next day there was cough with bloody sputa; the patient could be roused from his muttering delirium to answer questions, but he replied slowly and protruded his tongue with hesitation; the diarrhœa ceased during this attack. The cough became less frequent and the expectoration viscid and rusty on November 1. Wine was ordered four times daily. During the following night a profuse epistaxis occurred. The tongue became moist on the 3d and next day the expectoration was more abundant and the drowsiness lessened; pulse 76; respiration 24. A blister was applied to the front of the chest. On the 7th the cough was lessened, the expectoration mucous, the countenance bright, the bowels regular. Milk diet was ordered with an ounce of brandy every four hours. He recovered January 10, 1862, and was returned to duty March 7.—Hospital, Alexandria, Va..