Expectations and Sputum Viscosity

[摘要] The efficacy of the following expectorants as determined by measurement of the viscosity of the sputum was studied: ammonium chloride and ipecac, potassium iodide, steam, 5% carbon dioxide and 95% oxygen, aerosol Triton®, aerosol trypsin, aerosol desoxyribonuclease. The preceding medications were given consecutively for periods of 5 days with 5-day control periods, and the whole sputum expectorated during each 24-hour period was collected, the volume measured and the viscosity of the total specimen determined. No evidence was found that such drugs, given as described, effectively lowered the viscosity of the sputum. The authors conclude that the results of the trials lend no support to the belief that currently available expectorants, as usually administered, are useful for lowering the viscosity of the sputum. Further they express surprise that these medicaments, whose therapeutic value is supported by so little objective evidence, continued to be popular with doctors and patients.

[学科分类] 儿科学