Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1843-11-02
WOODSTOCK, VIRGINIA: NOVEMBER ,, 1913

ten minutes of excruciatihg pain I might
have saved our little darling, had treas
ured up in my mind, as highly important
knowledge for mother, such seemingly
little things as domestic remedies in ca
ses of accidents or sudden sickness a.
.nong Children
do not be discouraged. Experience
lis after all. the only sure teacher Mr..
Merlin Said kindly.
| 1T will be my only sure teacher. of
that cannot coubt. But will eyer be
! thoroughly furnished? Will ever be
ready at all points when the duty is pre-
sented, or the trial comes? Alas! fear
not..'
DO not despond. dear CeciIia You
have done much, and have now every
thing to hope.'
! But it seemed as If there we're to be no
end to circumstances convcting her of a
want of information on useful and highly
important subjects. ail appertainiing to
her duties as a wife and mother. Her
youngest child had attained his second
birthday, and was fine hearty boy, who
had scarcely known days sickness. ex-
fcept what had attended first denit;on,
at every successive occurrence. His
cheeks were unusually flushed one night,
as she put him to bed, and he seemed to
be somewhat oppressed in breathing
Her heart wos troubled, she knew not
why, as she kissed his fair forehead, and
then drew the bed-clothes close around
him. About midnight she and her hus-
band were awakened by the loud suffo.
eating respiration of their child, which
was accompanied occasionally, by a sin.
gle hoarse resounding cough. He ap-
peared to be in great distress, throwing
his head back and crying out in a strug-
gle to get breath. 1t seemed that he
could not live unless immediate relief
were obtained.
What can be the matter with him ?
Mrs. Merlin exclaimed, sprinsing up from
her beds and lifting little George from
his crib.
I'VE must have doctor immediately
exclaimed her husband. as soon as he be-
came fully conscious of the alarming con-
dition OF his child. Did you ever see
child with Group. Cecilia?' he added.
No; but from what ! have heard of
that dreadful disease, fear George has
it,
Then do You not know something that
ought to be done Immediately? Are
there not certain domestic remedies, that
are always resorted to by way of allevia-
ton until physician can be obtained?
| think | have heard that there are
4 am sure do not Know Mrs. Mer-
lin said SLOWLY and houshtfulIy.
'Would't hot bath be good for hm?'
inquired the husband.
Indeed do not know
Suppose you try it,
Pm afraid that it will be wrong,' the
mother replied anxiousIy. i would
rather not do any ,hing until the doctor
sees him.
Mr. Merlin hurried away for phvsi-
clan, while Mrs. Merlin sat holding the
almost suffocated child. her heart bp-
pressed with fear, anc the tears stream
ing from hel eyes, awaiting the arrival of
medical aid. Thus she sat far nearly an
hour. little George growing worse every
moment, at the end of which time her
husband returned. His breath came and
went with shrilI whstling noise, and
at every Inhalation there was clashing
sound and struggle, as if the epislottis
had closed almost tightly over the ave-
nue. to the windpipe.
'Where is the doctor?'asked the moth
er, with eagerness and alarm, as her hus
band entered.
II bouo hao,, ~ 4tfa roe;.5ono If e..
physicians, and all were OUT was the
reply.
% mercy! my child will die! my child
will die!' calculated Mrs Merlin, in an
agony of parental fear.
t Cannot we do something's asked her
husband. Surely we might find some
means of relief!'
Il Rave thought and thought, but
know of nothing that would relieve him.
was the despondingly reply.
perhaps Jane knows of something
suggested Mrs. Merlin.
How should Jane know, Theodore?-
She has had no experience with chill
dren.'
But she has lived in many families,
| and has no doubt seen children with the
croop, if that is what ails George. Re-
member the scalded foot
Then go and call her quick the
mother said. catching at the feeble hope
Jane was accordingly called up. AS
soon as she saw the little sufferer, she
exclaimed
o dear ma'am. has he got the GROUP
what shall we do for him Jane?' ask
ed Mrs. Merlin, looking up eagerly into
the face of her servant.
| Put him into warm bath at once
ma'am. Ill get some water ready in a
little while, and give some tartar enetic
J to vomit him.
Mr. and Mrs. Merlin looked at eaci,
other.
| Are you sure Jane?' Mrs. Merlin asked. |
81 Il