Asthma is a disease characterized by spasmodic contraction of the bronchial tubes and is one of the most distressing ailments with which humanity is afflicted. Thousands of dollars are spent every year by sufferers from this disorder in seeking a change of climate that will bring about a cure. In some cases the change will prove beneficial but upon returning home, the symptoms reappear.

The symptoms of asthma are spasmodic in character and occur at irregular periods. There is difficult breathing, the individual gasps for breath, the cough is dry or hacking, the voice is hoarse, the eyes are prominent, the pulse is rapid, articulation is difficult, and the breathing becomes noisy and wheezy. There is great excitement of the nervous system. Attacks may last only a few minutes or they may last for hours. Often a patient can tell when an attack is coming on. As the disease progresses there is loss of weight and the expectorated matter frequently becomes streaked with blood. On listening to the chest during an attack, loud, shrill rales of all kinds can be heard everywhere. The inspiratory sound is short; the expiratory sound, long. Between the attacks, the rales are more moist.

The causes of asthma are liver poisons in the blood, neurosis of the respiratory apparatus, chronic kidney and heart diseases, long-standing cases of gastric catarrh, and reflex causes from stomach, intestines or genitals. Sometimes it is heredity and sometimes it is caused by climatic conditions.

The treatment for affections of this kind is one that will purify the blood and build up the nervous and muscular systems to a healthy standard. Meat, pastries, tea, coffee, chocolate, condiments, fried and indigestible foods must be avoided. An abundance of green vegetables and fresh fruit should be used to supply all the constituent parts of the blood and tissues. Constipation must be remedied.

The 7th cervical and the 12th dorsal should be adjusted and concussion of the 4th and 5th cervical be made. tui-na/massage of the back neck, breasts, chest, abdomen, liver, spleen and bowels. Vibration or tapotement over the chest may be used. If desired, a vibrator may be used on the chest and back. Raise the arms above head asking the patient to take a very deep breath, then lower them asking him/her to exhale. These arm movements may be made more effective by standing at the back of patient who should be sitting and place your knee against his/her back. Press the 7th cervical with both thumbs for 30 seconds.

If possible the afflicted should spend a great deal of time out of doors. Sun baths will be found valuable and such exercises as walking should be taken on a daily basis with deep breathing. Special exercises for developing the muscles of the chest should be taken. Deep breathing exercises are of special value, (see other section on Therapeutic Exercises.)

Hot and cold baths to improve the circulation and increase the vitality should be given. During an attack, however, the cold bath must be avoided. In securing relief from a severe paroxysm, hot packs to the chest, shoulders and back will prove beneficial. The drinking of hot water and the inhalation of steam will be found an excellent remedy. Hot tub baths are useful. The drinking of very hot coffee without sugar or cream will afford relief in some cases from the spasm, especially if taken on an empty stomach. The drinking of coffee, however, at other times or with the meals is not to be recommended. Prolonged neutral baths have a relaxing effect upon the nervous system and may be taken in the evening before retiring.

If one is not too weak or emaciated, a few days fast is a splendid method for purifying the blood and building up a better condition of strength and vitality.