The Democratic Whig., 1843-02-16

THRILLER.
ON THE EXTERNAL USE OF
TOBACCO, IN GROUP.
ny JOHN D. GOODMAN, NJ. D.
During my residence in.New York,
where my children we're very frequent
ly attacked with severe aud Danger
ours fits Of Group, to which they had
always been particularly liable, ] was
informed BY my friend, Dr.. +. Van
derburg, Of a very simple and eaica-
cioUs method Of arresting at once all
the symptoms Of this distressing and
| frequently fatal disease. Whenever
children are threatened with an attack
Of cynanche trachealis, he directs a
plaster Of dry scotch snuff, varying in
size according to tho age Of the pa
lient 10 be applied directly across the
top Of the thorax, and retained there
until all the SYMPTOMS disappear. He
stated that he found the remedy TO be al
ways eifectual when applied in the
FIRST and second stages Of the malady.
This mode Of treatment was from
prejndice or scepicism neglected by
ME, and in one instance, in which,
with very considerable difficulty, one
Of my children was rescued by the or
dinary treatment But on being again
urged to make trial Of the snuff plaster,
| determined to make the experiment
whenever opportunity presented. This
was not long wanting, and when called
to a child laboring under all the sym
toms Of the early stage ofcroup, such
a plaster (made by greasing piece Of
linen, and covering it well with Scotch
snuf.) was directly applied to the
chest. The event was most happy ;
the symptoms Of racheal irritation and
harsh crouping-cough ceased shortly
after. the child fell into a profound
sleep with gentle perspiralion, and by
next morning was free from all dis
tressing symptoms. The plaster was
re-applied for a night or two following,
and then discontinued, as the disease
bad entirely disappeared. Since that
time my family have been saved from
a great deal Of anxiety aud alarai, 10
which previously they wv,e subjeci, as
we were obliged 10 keep Coxe's hive
syrup, tartar emetic, and all The other
articles usually resorted to, constantly
ready TO meet the attacks Of Group,
which were very sudden and frequent
in cold and wet seasons. Since then
we have found nothing necessary but
the snuff plaster. II a child is heard
to breathe hoarsely, or cough, with
any thing Of the dreaded ringing sound
of Group it is only necessary TO apply
the snuff plaster, and we feel under
no farther anxiety. Instead Of being
obliged to watch with the child all the
rest Of the night, when once the snuff
is applied, we go 10 rest again, with a
feeling Of entire security, which we
have never had the least cause 10 re.
gret.
The intelligent physician above
named, is in the practice Of deriving
great advantage from the exleroal use
ia various cases, in which |
it is by no means generally employed, |
if its use be even thought Of To al !
lay the irritative cough arising from
different diseased states Of the lungs
in diseases accompanied with chronic !
spasm, and in the reduction Of her
MIA, by direct application Of tobacco |
10 the hernial tumour, g., DR.. Van.
1erburgh has used tobacco externally |
with very decided success.
In cases OF Group the Scotch snufI
(which believe is prepared from to-
lacco STEMS is to be preferred. Ny |
friend, DR.. Pendleton, Of New York
informs me. he has tried other snuff
without attaining his end, while with
he Scotch the effect was certain, IL
publish this note with the hope that
'therphysicians will give the treatment
fair trial, and report their experience.
l. has the advantage over the tobacco
moke mentioned in the interesting
notices of Professor Chapman, ,trecen-
ly published, that it may be kept al
vp ready, and be applied in the
lark, without loss Of lime. 1t has
lever caused vomiting, vertigo, or
ny other distressing symptoms, in
ny experience, and this aceords with
he experience Of both the physicians
ast mentioned IN this note.
A young widow who edits a paper
4 a neighboTing Stale says,-"We do
- Ill -. ..--H - L.. - - -. I