Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1860-11-02
THE CROUP-.-FOR MOTHERS.

lnere is no disease 10 Wnlcn cDlldfen
are liable, that is greater terror to parents
than the Group. 1t is sudden in its ap-
proach, and if not promptly and efficiently
treated will soon blast the hopes of fond
parents in the death of their loved one.
The following extract from little story
gives one of the simplest and bestremedies
for this disease we have ever met with
Every mother who reads this should cut il
out and place it in her portfolio, where she
can easy lay her hands on it at any mo-
ment, and if the necessity occurs she may
at once know what to do.
Ono evening in the early part of winter,
the door bell rang with energy, and the
servant announced man whowished to see
me. A man is one thing with a servant
gentleman another, and person some.
thing different from either. The man stood
in the hall, but wandered why he had not
been called a gentleman. was puzzled
where to place him myself His dress was
very neat, but plain and rather coarse. His
linen, that badge of refinement, was white,
in perfect order, and almost elegant.
Everything about him seemed substantial
but nothing gave me clue to his position
in life. In all outward seeming, he was
simply man. When he spoke to me,
his address was simple, clear, direct, and
with a certain air of self-reliance.
doctor" he said, 81 wish you to come
and see my child. We fear that he is
threatened with the Group"
put on my hat and prepared to accom-.
pany him; for if the case was as he sup
posed there was no time to lose. In this
disease a single hour may make life's diff
ference
In moment We were in the street, and
walking briskly up one of our broad aven
ues. The child, he said, had been playing
out of doors, had eaten heartily at supper
gone to sleep, and walked up short time
afterward very hoarse with croupy cough
The case was pretty clear one, and hur
ried my walk still more, and in few min
utes we were at the door. We went up
up-up to the fourth story. The last story
was carpeted, and small lamp at the tol
| lighted us up
l entered the open door, and was wei
coined by rather pretty and remarkabl,
tidy woman, who could have been nobod,
in the world but the wife of the man VIII
had summoned me.
/" l am glad you have como so soon," sh
said in a soft, pure, accent. "Little VIII
liam seems so much distressed that he cal
hardly breathe;' and the next moment, n
VIC passed through narrow passage t.
where he lay, heard the unmistakeabl
croupy sound, that justly carries such tel
ror to the parents heart.
" Is it the Group, Doctor?" asked the ia
ther with voice of emotion, as bent owe
the child-a fine boy, three years ofage.
1t is certainly the Group, and very
violent attack. How long is it since yor
thought him sick"
"Not above an hour" was the calm re
ply. 1t was made calm by firm self
control. | looked at the mother. She wa
pale, but did not trust herself to speak.
"Then there is probably but little dan
ger" | said;" but we have something to do
Have you water here?"
The husband went to what seemed {
closet, opened two doors, and disclosed
neat pine bathing tub supplied with Gro
ton. This was beyond my hopes; but hac
no time to wonder. The little fellow wa
in high fever, and laboring for ever,
breath. Taking him from his little crib
where he lay on nice hair mattress, fit 70
a prince to sleep on, l took off his cleal
night clothes, stood him in the bathtub
and made his father pour full upon hi
neck and chest three pals of cold water
while rubbed him briskly with my hand
He was then wiped dry, and rubbed unit
his whole body was in glow. Then
wrung large towel out of the cold water
and put around his throat and then wrap
ped him up in blankets.
The brave little fellow had borne it al
without complaint, as if he understood tha
under his fathers eye no harm could com
to him. In fifteen minutes after he wa
wrapped in the blankets hew was in profus
perspiration, in sound slumber, an
breathing freely. The danger was over
so rapid is this disease, and so easil
cured.
Happiness had shed serene light upo
the countenance of the father, and throw
over the mothers face a glow of beauty.