Asth’ma

(ast’-ma). A nervous disease marked by paroxysms of difficult breathing, with sense of suffocation. Asthma is generally chronic, and not dangerous till other complications ensue. The duty of the nurse is to have any inhalations or medicines ordered always at hand, in case an attack comes on; also to note the sputum. The patient must be kept strictly to the diet ordered, as this has great effect in mitigating the spasms. Don’t coddle. — s. 13 —