Definition

There are two forms--passive and active. It is doubtful if this disease is ever more than symptomatic. It accompanies pneumonia; it is found in asthma, in poisoning by morphine, and in some forms of heart disease--those in which there is an obstacle to the return of the blood to the heart. This is a condition that is often found in low forms of fever, it is called hypostatic congestion. Old people, when confined to the bed from any cause, are liable to develop this state of the lungs. A patient suffering from any disease that forces him to keep in one position is liable to develop this state of the lungs. Injuries that keep old people in bed will sometimes cause a hypostatic pneumonia.

Treatment.--Remove the cause, whatever it may be. If there is a heart affection, it must receive attention. What ever disease is instrumental in bringing about this derange ment, that disease must receive special attention. The eating should be very light; if the symptoms are urgent, no food should be given. The extremities should be kept warm. All the water desired should be given. Rubbing and bathing are always in order. It is doubtful if deep breathing would be proper in these cases, because patients are usually very weak who develop this form of disease --especially the passive form.