Pleurisy is an inflammation of the pleura, a serous membrane which envelopes the lungs and
also lines the inside of the chest. It may be acute or chronic, and mild or severe, the disease
may be limited to one side of the chest or it may include both the sides.
This disease can attack people of all ages, from children right through to the very elderly. Like
any other viral
infection,
pleurisy can occur in small epidemics.
The membranes that cover the lung are called pleura. The outer membrane, known as partial
pleura, is applied to the inner wall of the thorax, and the inner membrane, known as the
visceral
pleura, covers the substance of the lungs. There is a capillary space between the two
membranes which is filled with fluid. This fluid enables the lung s to move freely in the chest.
The parietal membrane is reflected from the chest wall to cover the upper surface of the
diaphragm, and in the midline, it covers the mediastinum, the partition which seperates the two
sides of the chest and contains the heart, great vessels and other structures which run through
the thorax.
Symptoms
The onset of
pleurisy is generally marked by a sharp and stabbing pain, which may be felt in any
part of the chest wall or over the diaphragm. Deep breathing or coughing increases the pain. IN
many cases, the diseases begins with a chill, followed by congestion of the pleura and later by
fever. The degree of the fever determines the severity of the disease. The inflammation destroys
the tissues and chokes the circulation within the tissues. Breathing becomes difficult due to the
clogging of the circulation, and by pain and swelling within the chest. Later a liquid effusion
escapes from the pleura, filling the open spaces in the chest cavity till the effect of the distension
becomes oppressive. After absorption takes place or after the drainage of the effusion, the
pressure is lowered, the pain is reduced and the patient feels relieved. It is sometimes dry
pleurisy, a form where there is little or no effusion or the effusion may be circumscribed. The
effusion may become gangrenous, or become mixed with blood, or be of a dirty brown colour
with an offensive odour, leading to much suffering.
Causes
The most common among the immediate causes of
pleurisy is that of `catching cold ` followed by
congestion and swelling of the pleural membrane. It is a disease that is not caused by germs.
There will be germs of putrefaction later in the ooze of
serum from the
tissue . The disease may
be a complication of
pneumonia, or
pneumonia may be a complication of
pleurisy. In a few
cases , the diseases may also occur in rheumatic fever , uraemia and other conditions.
Treatment
At the first sign of
pleurisy, the patient should observe a complete fast, abstaining from all liquid
and solid foods. Nothing should be taken except plain water, hot or cold, as desired. Water may
have bad taste, but at least three or four glasses should be taken daily for the first few days. The
quantity of water should be gradually increased to five or six or more glasses each day. It would
be helpful if during this period of fasting , a full hot enema is also taken once daily.
A hot chest pack should be applied two or three times a day allowing it to remain for an hour or
so each time. If the fever becomes high, the packs may be changed to cold ones. If, however,
the reaction is not prompt and complete, it would be advisable to use the hot packs.
Heat is always helpful for relieving the sharp pain associated with
pleurisy. This should be
applied for half an hour twice daily. The patient should practice deep breathing during this
period. Adequate rest and abundance of fresh air are essential.
In cases of dry
pleurisy, further relief from pain can be obtained by strapping the chest. Heat is
not used when the tapping is employed. A neutral immersion bath at 100 F for one hour daily
has also been found beneficial in the treatment of
pleurisy.
After the acute
symptoms have subsided, the patient may adopt a milk diet. IN this regimen, he
should take 250 ml.of milk every two hours on the first day, every 1 1/2 hour on the second day,
every hour on the third day and every three-quarters of an hour on the fourth day and onwards.
The quantity of milk should not exceed four litres daily. The patient may also take one orange
daily along with the milk diet.
As soon as the patient has gained slightly in strength, he should undertake moderate exercise
as a routine, avoiding
fatigue. Air bath, sun bath and dry friction bath are of particular
importance. If there is any particular disease, present along with the
pleurisy whether as a
causative or as a complicating condition, the same should also be given appropriate attention.
Chronic
pleurisy should be treated in the same manner as to the diet and the application of heat.
All efforts should be made to increase the vitality, reduce toaxemia, and restore normal freedom
of chest movements. Several short fasts, at regular intervals, followed by milk diet may be
necessary depending on the progress for complete recovery.