Chronic irritation causes muscle spasm, and prolonged muscle
spasm augments chronic irritation. The bronchial musculature is
not excepted from this inter-reactive phenomenon. The classical
symptoms of bronchiectasis—cough, hemoptysis, and production of
purulent sputum—are irritative factors that can, and frequently
do, produce bronchospasm. Conversely, chronic or recurrent
bronchospasm can produce bronchial obstruction and resultant
infection. Whether it be the inaugurative or the secondary
source of infection, bronchiectasis not only joins but also
maintains this vicious disease cycle, although, unfortunately,
its identity may be hidden behind the paroxysms of dyspnea and
wheeze (often called bronchial asthma). The asthmatic patients
we have seen at the Overholt Thoracic Clinic are classified as
medical failures, since they have not responded favorably to
conservative therapy. Their previous medical treatment has
included bronchodilatory and expectorant drugs, desensitization
measures, changes in climate, ps