1914 subcutaneous injection of oxygen
The subcutaneous injection of oxygen gas.
By H.O. Howitt, M.D..
L.R.C.P. (Lon.).
M.R.C.S. (Eng.).
Guelph.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Volume 4.
Pages 983-985:
1912: Delmas & Delmas reported excellent success in resuscitating asphyxiated infants.
Derose recommends subcutaneous method in cases of tuberculosis with dyspnoea.
Temperature falls.
Feeling of well-being.
Soothing & refreshing.
Suggests employment for:
toxic dyspnoea of uraemia,
eclampsia,
carbon di-oxide poisoning,
certain cases of diabetes,
emphysema,
pertussis,
asystole.
Mechanical obstruction in air passages.
My experience includes:
dyspnoea of tuberculosis,
gas poisoning,
pneumonia (lobar & lobular),
oedema of lungs,
bronchial asthma,
operative cases.
In no case any ill effects noticeable.
Asthmatic said it relieved him.
Did not notice appreciable improvement.
Carbon di-oxide case may have recovered without injection.
In some pneumonia & operative cases results were simply astounding.
Case 2:
Woman@66.
Lobar pneumonia.
Temperature 103 1/2 degrees.
Respirations 46.
Rapid pulse.
Rusty sputum.
Condition became alarming.
Oxygen injected.
Temerature dropped a degree.
Breathing became less laboured.
Patient was very grateful.
Injections given twice daily.
Case no longer resembled pneumonia.
Oxygen generated from sodium peroxide.
Coming in contact with water in a closed cylinder.
Oxygen escapes by long rubber tube.
Aspirating needle at the distal end.
Inserted into subcutaneous tissue.
Tube is then oiled.
Force by pumping action of hand.
Oxygen injected forms local emphysema.
Lasts for hours & may travel over surface of body.
Body only absorbs which is necessary.
It is really formation of an artificial lung.
I have never known a single ill effect to follow its use.
In every case where breathing was labored,
patient experienced some relief.
Not a "sure cure" for pneumonia or any other disease.
When oxygen urgently needed by body cells,
introduction of oxygen fills requirement.
Old method of inhalation was a failure.