Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1881-06-09
Helena, Montana, Thursday, June 9, 1881.
Membranous Group.
Territorial Enterprise.


Within the last week that terrible enem,
OF children, membranous Group has desolatel
two Virginia homes The recent sudder
change in the weather from a warm and
sunny to cold and damp atmosphere doubt
less exposed the little ones to the attacks Of
this fell destroyer. 1t is possible that q
more general knowledge of the symptoms
and character would be useful at this time
i'll averting its fatal consequences to chill
dren still exposed. 1t is so swift and insid-
ious in its course, once the patient is attack
ed, that it is hardly necessary to say at the
outset that membranous Group requires the
immediate attendance of the best physician
attainable. For the benefit of parents who
do not readily discover the first appearance
OF the disease, we present the following facts
for their consideration:
Group appears in two distinct forms, one
OF which is connected with little no danger
to life, while the other is intensely perilous.
Marcy and Hunt, in their theory and prac-
tlce give a clear account of the two FORMS
The false or non-membranous Or spasmodic
Group, which is the least to be feared, usually
makes its appearance suddenly, with con-
siderable difficulty of breathing, noisy and
wheeling inspiration, a short, dry. hoarse
cough, occurring but rarely, and an entire alb
sence OF febrile or teverish symptoms The
important peculiarly of false Group is the
suddenness of its attack. Children may re-
tire to their beds in the most perfect health,
and yet, in an hour or two, be disturbed
from sound sleep with an apparently
nj e
however, that all should he aware that these
seemingly dangerous cases are much less to
be dreaded than those which make their ap-
pearance in a more slow and insidious man
ner, as will be seen by the description of
true Group In the false Group the fact that
it has occurred suddenly, and that the
cough bears no resemblance to the dreadful
metallic cough of real Group will afford
sure indication Of it's nature, and one to be- |
come assured that the attack will be speedily |
Subdued
The Group which kills is known as the |
true or membranous Group. The false, un-
less treated promptly, will soon assume the |
terrible form of the disease 1t is usually |
ushered in with the ordinary symptoms of
as chilliness, sneezing, some sore
ness of the throat, hot skin, thirst. slight ac-
pulse hOarse voice and some little
to respiration. At this period,
says Ware, "a whistling or buZZing sound
may be heard at the at the entrance of the +
wind-pipe by placing the ear upon the back
of the neck or over the larynx." As the
disease advances the respiration gradually
becomes more labored and difficult, particu-
arly after coughing while the eXpirations
,rc quick, the cough is dry and gives forth
I metallic sound the voice becomes more
shrill; the pulse is frequent and small the
expression of countenance swollen and anX-
ous; the head is thrown back the extrcmi-
lies are cold, while the rest of the body MAIN
airs its exalted temperature; there is often
/ protusc perspiration; until finally the res
1iration is so much impeded that the blood
5 but slightly oNygenated, and the child ex-
lires in a state OF asphyxia or sutiocation.
No mother should fail OH the appearance
If the symptoms of either false or true Group
o instantly summon Il physician, for like
III other serious diseases, it is the immediate 1
application Of remedies that saves the life of
he patient. Pending the arrival Of the ! !
loctor. however, something can be done to
heck the ravages of Group. One of the most
Elective remedies is the application to the q
hest of the child of 4 piece of flannel satnr- !
ted with equal parts of sweet oil and spirits !
i camphor. This, we'll rubbed in, will in !,
ariable afford relief 1t is a wise precaution,
where there are children i'll the house, to al /;
rays keep on hand supply OF oil and cam : ::
hor for immediate use, as the first attack is !,
enerally made in the night, while the !
hid is asleep. 1t is equally important to !
understand that after q child has recovered
rom an attack Of this insidious disease it +.
hould be kept indoors for day or two un- L
il thoroughly convalescent.