_SPASMODIC CROUP._
DEFINITION.--A spasmodic closure of the glottis which interferes with
respiration. Comes on suddenly and usually at night, without much
warning. It is a purely nervous disease and may be caused by reflex
nervous irritation from undigested food in the stomach or bowels,
irritation of the gums in dentition, or from brain disorders.
SYMPTOMS.--Child awakens suddenly at night with suspended respiration
or very difficult breathing. After a few respirations it cries out and
then falls asleep quietly, or the attack may last an hour or so, when
the face will become pale, veins in the neck become turgid and feet
and hands contract spasmodically. In mild cases the attacks will only
occur once during the night, but may recur on the following night.
HOME TREATMENT.--During the paroxysm dashing cold water in the face
is a common remedy. To terminate the spasm and prevent its return give
teaspoonful doses of powdered alum. The syrup of squills is an old and
tried remedy; give in 15 to 30 drop doses and repeat every 10 minutes
till vomiting occurs. Seek out the cause if possible and remove it. It
commonly lies in some derangement of the digestive organs.
_TRUE CROUP._
DEFINITION.--This disease consists of an inflammation of the mucous
membrane of the upper air passages, particularly of the larynx with
the formation of a false membrane that obstructs the breathing. The
disease is most common in children between the ages of two and seven
years, but it may occur at any age.
SYMPTOMS.--Usually there are symptoms of a cold for three or four days
previous to the attack. Marked hoarseness is observed in the evening
with a ringing metallic cough and some difficulty in breathing, which
increases and becomes somewhat paroxysmal till the face which was at
first flushed becomes pallid and ashy in hue. The efforts at breathing
become very great, and unless the child gets speedy relief it will die
of suffocation.
HOME TREATMENT.--Patient should be kept in a moist warm atmosphere,
and cold water applied to the neck early in the attack. As soon as the
breathing seems difficult give a half to one teaspoonful of powdered
alum in honey to produce vomiting and apply the remedies suggested in
the treatment of diphtheria, as the two diseases are thought by many
to be identical. When the breathing becomes labored and face becomes
pallid, the condition is very serious and a physician should be called
without delay.
_SCARLET FEVER._
DEFINITION.--An eruptive contagious disease, brought about by direct
exposure to those having the disease, or by contact with clothing,
dishes, or other articles, used about the sick room.
The clothing may be disinfected by heating to a temperature of 230
[degrees] Fahrenheit or by dipping in boiling water before washing.
Dogs and cats will also carry the disease and should be kept from the
house, and particularly from the sick room.
SYMPTOMS.--Chilly sensations or a decided chill, fever, headache,
furred tongue, vomiting, sore throat, rapid pulse, hot dry skin and
more or less stupor. In from 6 to 18 hours a fine red rash appears
about the ears, neck and shoulders, which rapidly spreads to the
entire surface of the body. After a few days, a scurf or branny scales
will begin to form on the skin. These scales are the principal source
of contagion.