The Dying Of A Child With the onset of respiratory difficulty, it seems almost as if the children were suddenly awakened and made to realize the struggle before them. Little children seem to age in a few hours. The whole mind and body appear to be concentrated on respiration.
Respiration becomes an active, voluntary process, and every breath represents hard work.
The child gives the impression of one who has a fight on his hands, and who knows perfectly how to manage it. All he wants is to be left alone, not to be interfered with, to be allowed to carry out his fight on his own lines. Instinctively he husbands his strength, refuses food, and speaks, when speech is necessary, quietly and with few words. Pressure on the chest, tight neck bands, anything that obstructs easy respiration is immediately resented. The child demands constant attention, is irritated unless everything is done exactly as he wishes it, and often shows an instinctive appreciation for some especially efficient nurse.