Inhaled Gases for Pulmonary Consumption
A Letter to Erasmus Darwin, M.D. on a New Method of Treating Pulmonary Consumption, and Some Other Diseases Hitherto Found Incurable
Research hubs: Respiratory System
- Authors
- Thomas Beddoes
- Journal
- Bulgin and Rosser
- Study Type
- Human
- Delivery
- Gas
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- United Kingdom
TL;DR
In 1793, Beddoes proposed treating pulmonary consumption by reducing inspired oxygen with hydrogen-containing air and reported improvement in a patient after repeated hydrogen inhalation.
Summary
Beddoes proposed that pulmonary consumption could be treated by altering the composition of inspired air, particularly by reducing oxygen exposure through the addition of hydrogen or carbon dioxide. He discussed observations of people breathing hydrogen and reported using air containing approximately one-eighth hydrogen (~12.5%) in a woman with pulmonary disease for about 15 minutes at a time, repeated over three days. Beddoes reported that her symptoms disappeared and considered the result encouraging. The publication predates modern diagnostic criteria, controlled clinical trials, and contemporary gas-safety standards, so its importance is primarily historical: it represents one of the earliest primary medical sources describing the therapeutic inhalation of hydrogen.