The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-01-30
How TO Treat Oroup,


This disease consists of an acute in
fammation of the mucus membrane
lining the trachea or windpipe, and is
manifested by fever, cough, hoarseness
and difficulty of breathing, with more
or less spasmodic action. This is always
a dangerous malady. There is another
variety which shows all the ordinary
symptoms of the disease, but is not at
tended with inflammation and is not par
ticularly dangerous. The first is called
membranous and the second spasmodic
Group. Cause.-The peculiar condition
of the system in infancy and childhood
is the prominent predisposing cause of
this disease, as itTarely occurs in adult
life or in children after 10 years. 1t pre-
walls mostly among children from 2 TO 5
years of age.
Children of robust constitutions are
most likely to be attacked and it occurs
most frequently during the winter and
early spring months. It is likely to at
tack children where necks and chests are
thinly clad. Probably the most common
exciting cause is a sudden exposure to
draft of cold air when the child is In a
state of perspiration, or after much fa-s
tigue, or the exposure of the body to the
cold air of the sleeping groom, when in
state of perspiration, by the sudden re-
moval of the bed clothes.
Symptoms disease is generally
ushered in with the ordinary symptoms
of cold. The attack usually comes on
at night and may be recognized by the
loud breathing, in which the inspiration
drawing in of the breath) alone is
heard. The cough is frequent, hoarse,
dry and ringing. The child often
awakens from sleep in great distress
and instinctively puts its hand to the
throat. AT intervals the breathing is
quiet and natural. The feeling of suf-
location after a time increases, the face
becomes red, the body hot, the lungs
become loaded with blood, producing
congestion and the difficulty of breath
ing Is more continuous. The brain in
consequence of the INSTRUCTED circula-
ton, is inactive and the child is inclined
to sleep. These symptoms may all pass
away and the child apparently feel as
well as usual during the day until the
next night, when the same thing is re-
peated with increased severity unless
promptly met by proper medication. II
such IS not done there IS an effusion in
to the windpipe which assumes MEM
branous appearance. The distress and
labor OF breathing greatly increase, the
voice is whisper, cold sweat covers
w.
of which the child dies. Such is the
usual progress of the disease in fatal
cases. There are some circumstances
connected with the aff1iction which de-
serve close attention. These are the re-
missions. which are noticed IN most
cases varying from an hour or so to
some days. It is ia the interval of these
remissions that we should endeavor TO
apply such treatment as viii prevent
the recurrence Of the paroxyisTns Cases
occur where the child SO far RECEIVERS as
to appear almost we'll, when suddenly q
relapse occurs which, results fatally. This
fact should guard US against indulging
In a fancied security until the disease IS
thoroughly removed.
Treatment The mother should re-
member that the forming or first stage
Of the disease affords the opportunity
for the administration of remedies with
the most hope of success. Whatever Is
done must be done at the outset. 20
promote healthy action of the parts az
feesed an essctic viii be found the most
ef1icacious in ef1ecting this result The
disease may be often arrested BY this