Fibrosis

“ Gull and Sutton asserted that in particular states of body, and more especially in the condition associated with cirrhotic kidney, such a fibrosis becomes general, running, as they alleged it does, along the adventitia of arteries and spreading to their capillaries. ”

“ The growing edge extends in a wider and wider circle, within which a healing process may occur, so that the area of permeation is a ring, rather than a disc. Healing occurs by a process of “peri-lymphatic fibrosis,” but as the natural process of healing may fail at isolated points, nodules of cancer appear, which, although apparently separate from the primary growth, have developed in continuity with it, peri-lymphatic fibrosis having destroyed the cancer chain connecting the nodule with the primary growth. ”

“ Decay of certain cells during advancing age leads to their becoming bodies foreign to their host, and this, in turn, calls forth the phagocytes which, walling off the foreign body, become themselves transformed into fibrotic tissue. The three characters of old age are decay, fibrosis, and proliferation of non-specialized cells. As the more specialized cells retrogress, with the loss of specialization they take on an increased tendency to multiplication. “Reversion ... is the keynote of the proliferation in old age wherever it occurs.” ”

“ With continuing attention to the many scientific questions yet to be answered and improved public awareness of the benefits of early diagnosis of this disease, there is good cause for optimism that cystic fibrosis can be overcome. The combined efforts of dedicated researchers and volunteers committed to the challenge of cystic fibrosis are a wellspring of hope for patients and their families, and the millions of Americans who may unknowingly carry the genetic trait that produces cystic fibrosis. ”

“ Though there is as yet no known cure for cystic fibrosis, scientists and researchers have made great progress in understanding and treating this disease. Thanks to these efforts, the average life expectancy for people with cystic fibrosis has increased significantly in recent decades, and it is now approximately 30 years. In addition, advances in antibiotic therapy and the management of lung and digestive problems have improved the quality of life for these individuals. ”

“ In the past twenty-five years, medical research has achieved measurable success in treating the symptoms of cystic fibrosis and in extending the lives of children born with the disease. The promise of further advances and the courage demonstrated each day by the suffering victims spur intensified research efforts. ”

“ Cystic fibrosis is one of the most common fatal genetic diseases in the United States. During this week, we renew our commitment to fighting this deadly disease that affects an estimated 30,000 American men, women, and children. ”

“ Recent genetic research may also accelerate the discovery of a cure. To help advance the work to end cystic fibrosis, my Administration is dedicated to increasing Federal funding for medical research at the National Institutes of Health. Until cystic fibrosis is eliminated, we are hopeful that our research efforts will continue to extend and improve the quality of life of those stricken with this grave disease. ”

“ Cystic fibrosis is an hereditary, metabolic disease primarily affecting the respiratory and digestive systems. Tragically, the disease attacks the young. It imposes enormous economic, physical and emotional burdens on both victim and family. The disease is the leading genetic killer of young Americans ”

“ While people with cystic fibrosis are embarking on careers and assuming societal responsibilities to a greater extent than ever before, they do so in the shadow of a disease that remains progressively debilitating. ”

“ The diseases of the lungs which produce dropsy are those which obstruct the passage of the blood through them, such as emphysema and fibrosis, and thus act precisely like disease of the heart in transferring the blood pressure from the arteries to the veins, inducing dropsy in exactly a similar manner. ”

“ An acute broncho-pneumonia with some interstitial fibrosis and a tendency to abscess formation. The most characteristic lesions are in the skin. These appear as nodules, sarcomatous-looking, soft and pulpy. ”

“ If tuberculosis does not undergo fibrosis it is likely to be developed, through the agency of some acute 'predisposing cause,' into the complex of symptoms which we term consumption. Those thus afflicted become progressively very weak and very much emaciated. Their hearts beat rapidly and they are apt to have a pink flush on their cheeks, which is quite unlike the blush of. a healthy person, but which is in reality an indication of the fever that is consuming them. ”

“ It should, however, be pointed out that these dusty occupations are probably not so frequently the cause as was at one time taught of these simple inflammatory fibroid changes in the lungs with their subsequent cavity formation; individuals engaged in such occupations are apt to suffer from a chronic tuberculosis of the lung associated with the formation of much fibrous tissue, and the occupation simply predisposes the lung to the attacks of the tubercle bacillus. ”

“ Simple inflammation may be caused by the injury of any part or organ, external or internal. It commences in the capillary vessels, and, if extensive, affects the blood generally, and produces fever. The blood then contains an excess of Fibrine, causing it, on coagulation, to exhibit the "buffy coat." There are also [Pg 173] found in this, according to Mulder, some peculiar hyperoxides of Proteine. The colourless corpuscles are in excess; and among the red corpuscles is observed a peculiar tendency to arrange themselves together in rows. ”

“ If we may judge from the effect of ulcers and fistulæ, which palliate all the symptoms of confirmed Phthisis, while they continue, but whose healing restores the disease, it would appear that the establishment of similar drains, in the form of issues, ought to have a good effect. In caries of the spine, and disease of the hip joint, where the inflammation in the cellular structure of the bones seems to be very analogous to that in the cells of the lungs, issues are used with the greatest benefit. ”

“ Chronic Interstitial Pneumonia.—Synonyms.—Cirrhosis of the lungs; Fibroid Pneumonia.
Definition.—A chronic inflammation of the lungs, in which the normal air cells are replaced by fibrous or connective tissue, followed by induration and atrophy of the lung.
Pathology.—The disease is nearly always confined to one lung, though, in very rare cases, both lungs may be involved, while localized areas are the rule. The affected lung becomes atrophied and in extreme cases, may be no larger than the closed hand. As a result of the shrinkage of the lung tissue, the heart undergoes hypertrophy. ”

“ The new fibrous tissue which is developed throughout the liver, as the result of the chronic inflammation, causes general enlargement of the liver with, perhaps, nausea, vomiting and jaundice. Later the new fibrous tissue undergoes contraction and the liver becomes smaller than natural. Blood then finds difficulty in passing through it, and, as a result, dropsy occurs in the belly (ascites) . This may be relieved by tapping the cavity with a small hollow needle (Southey’s trocar) , or by passing into it a large sharp-pointed tube. ”

“ But the specimens of disease most frequently met with in the internal lining of the heart, consist in an entire change of its natural structure, and in the formation of new products upon it or within it. Many of these, from the analogy of morbid actions in other parts of the body, must be considered to result from chronic inflammation.
In any of those situations which have been stated as especially liable to disease, the membrane will become thick, tough, inelastic, puckered and shrivelled; and cartilage or gristle, and bone, will enter into its structure ”

“ The contraction and shrinking of the fibroid hyperplasia as the disease advances causes the projection of the hepatic tissue in minute rounded elevations which give a peculiar uneven appearance to the surface of the organ. The fibroid growth gives a remarkable hardness to the liver which resists even the edge of a knife. The hepatic cells are the seat of fatty and pigmentary degeneration. Inflammation and tumefaction of the kidneys, and ascites are common features of the malady.
Symptoms. The general symptoms are as in parenchymatous hepatitis with a more tardy development. ”

“ Every inspiration is accompanied by a movement of the ribs. If this movement be impeded, the functions of the lungs are impeded likewise; and, consequently, disease is likely to follow; and either difficulty of breathing, or cough, or consumption, may ensue. (3) They weaken the heart’s action, and thus frequently produce palpitation, and, perhaps, eventually organic or incurable disease of the heart. (4) They weaken the digestion, by pushing down the stomach and the liver, and by compressing the latter; and thus induce indigestion, flatulence, and liver disease. ”

“ The sections of the lung through the consolidated area showed the pleura replaced by a thick layer composed of large and small mononuclear cells, some red blood cells, a rare polymorphonuclear cell, and great numbers of fibroblasts and budding capillaries. Some of the alveoli contained many red blood cells, a few polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cells, some fibrin, and in many areas fibroblasts were organizing this exudate (Fig. XLV) . Organization was also present around the bronchi and these contained mucus, pus, and desquamated epithelium. ”

“ In pneumonia, pleurisy, and in all the affections about the lungs and trachea, the disease is held to be of a dry nature when there is no expectoration from the parts affected; and in any complaints about the liver, the mesentery, the stomach, the small or great intestines, or spleen, when the belly is either entirely constipated, or when the discharges brought away by artificial means are dry and scybalous; and diseases of the arteries and veins are known to be dry by the dryness of the tongue, and the parched appearance of the whole body. ”

“ Many complained of a dull pain in the region of the liver, but very few complained, in the beginning of the disease, of that soreness to the touch, about the pit of the stomach, which is taken notice of by authors, and which was universal in the yellow fever in 1762. In proportion as the cool weather advanced, a preternatural determination of the blood took place chiefly to the lungs and brain. Many were affected with pneumonic symptoms, and some appeared to die of sudden effusions of blood or serum in the lungs. ”

“ What we meet with in all diseases is dead [Pg 108] blood, stagnant lymph, and albumen in a semi-vital or dead and decomposing condition all through the lymphatics and other parts of the body, brain, lungs, kidneys, liver and fascia. The whole system is loaded with a confused mass of blood, that is mixed with much or little unhealthy substances, that should have been kept washed out by lymph. Stop and view the frog's superficial lymphatic glands; you see all parts move just as regular as the heart does; they are all in motion during life. ”

“ Inflammation of the Lungs and Organs of Respiration, is a frequent inflammation in northern climates; and most so in spring, autumn, and winter; when the body, hydraulick canals, and blood are in a state of inflammatory diathesis: it generally encounters the robust vigorous constitution, those of strong muscular fibre, and dense rich blood; the athletick rustick, manufacturer, and artizan; those in the prime, and in all the intervals between twenty and the decline of life: it is very rare in infancy, as in idiopathick disease, and seldom under puberty, or in old age. ”

“ The purity of the blood is influenced by the condition of the lungs. When the bronchial tubes and air-cells have become partially impervious to air, from pressure upon the lungs, from fluids in the chest, from tumors, or from the consolidation of the cells and tubes from disease,—as inflammation, or the deposition of yellow, cheesy matter, called tubercles,—the blood will not be purified, even if the air is pure, the lungs voluminous, and the respiratory movements unrestricted, as the air cannot permeate the air-cells. ”

“ In chronic or recurring forms of fibrositis we should mark any deviation from health in the shape of gastro-intestinal or hepatic derangement, while noting also any inactivity on the part of the kidneys or skin. ”

“ Now examine comparatively the skin, the stomach, the liver, the kidnies, &c. when they have been the seat of acute inflammation, that has destroyed the patient; they have nothing approaching to this enormous increase of fluid, which is seen in the substance of inflamed lungs. ”

“ The first is encountered when death has ensued after a long stage of sickness. The vital fluids become exhausted by disease, and the organs of circulation become too weak to perform their office of circulating the fluid they contain; hence, dissolution takes place in the blood from want of constant and rapid action. Thus the fibrine becomes lodged and coagulated in the veins and capillary system. The fibrine and serum separate, leaving the fibrine coagulated or clotted, and the serum, a transparent, fatty or oily liquid, permeates the tissues of the flesh. ”

“ No part is exempt; even the brain, heart, lungs, liver, stomach and bowels, bladder, kidneys, uterus, lymphatics, glands, nerves, veins, arteries, skin and all membranes are subject to swellings locally or generally, and with equal certainty they perish and shrink away. If either condition should exist death to the parts or all of the body will occur from want of nutrition. Instance, in lung fever which begins when swelling is established in lymphatics of lungs, trachea, nostrils, throat and face. ”