Bromyrite

( Min. ) Native bromide of silver. When pure it is of a yellow color, with a slight tinge of green. It is met with in Mexico and Chili, accompanying other ores of silver. Bronchitis, ( bron - kit is ,) n. (Med.) There are few diseases affecting the respiratory organs more common, and more serious, than that form of inflammatory асtion attacking the air-pa ages, known as the bronchial tubes, or any form of disease calling for more prompt or energetic action. The great exciting cause is cold, especially when combined with moisture; but, whatever tends to diminish the general vigor of the system, and exce es of every kind, predispose to it. Any sudden change of temperature is apt to produce it. It is especially prevalent during the spring months. Its first symptoms are generally those of a common cold, accompanied with an occasional cough, and a sense of wearine and headache. The cough increases, and there is a feeling of oppre ion in the chest, and the breathing produces a kind of wheezing noise. The pulse is rapid and weak, and there is extreme la itude, with pain in the limbs, mental heavine , . If the feverish symptoms increase, the breathing becomes difficult from the clogging of the tubes with mucus, which is, to some extent, expectorated during the cough. In severe cases, the symptoms become more and more alarming; the breathing becomes so embarra ed that the patient can no longer lie down, but requires to maintain an upright posture, and use all his muscles in respiration. At last, he is so exhausted that he ceases to expectorate, and dies of suffocation from the accumulated mucus, usually in from five to seven days. Even in le severe cases, the delicate respiratory tubes are frequently permanently injured, so that the proper aëration of the blood is interfered with. The treatment of this disease will vary, according to its nature and the constitution of the patient; and the nece ity of always having recourse to a medical man cannot be too strongly insisted upon. The great object of the treatment is to reduce and remove the inflammatory condition of the organs; hence a mustard-poultice should be applied to the chest, the feet bathed in hot water, and warm diluent drinks, as barley-water or linseed tea, given. It is frequently nece ary to administer emetics, in order to remove the accumulations of mucus. The bowels should be kept moderately open during the whole course of the disease. See ASTHMA, CATARRH, COUGH.