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The inhalation of certain vapours will also enable us to make a more direct application to these parts; as, however, it is my intention to dedicate a chapter to the consideration of this form of remedy, it is unnecessary to dwell upon it in this place.
II. Of Medicines which diminish the inordinate flow of fluid into the lungs.
a. By removing the debility of the Exhalants.
It not unfrequently occurs in persons either debilitated by age or disease, that the exhalant vessels of the lungs lose their tone, and pour out a larger quantity of fluid than is necessary for the lubrication of these organs; this is particularly observable in the disease called humoral asthma, and in the catarrh of old persons: if this excess be restrained by strengthening the tone of the system generally, or by astringing these vessels in particular, the expectoration of the remainder will be rendered much more easy. According to my experience, sulphate of zinc displays considerable powers in moderating this effusion of fluid, and it appears to produce this effect by increasing the tone of the exhalant vessels of the lungs; several medicines also, which are included in the former division of this classification, may, by stimulating these organs, not only promote the exhalation when it is too scanty, but repress it when it is too abundant.