, 1891-06-02
TREATMENT OF GROUP.
WHAT To DO FOR THE DISEASE IN
THE ABSENCE OF A DOCTOR.

AAom
False crOuP-rhe Latter May Be Treated
Without Medical Aid. but = PhysIcIAn's
Advice Is Always Safe.
The particularly dangerous character
istic of Group is, like pneumonia, its sud
denness. Its action is so rapid, and the
little patient is so soon in a condition
that Is very near to death, that parents
lose their heads" and from extreme
fear and anxiety are unable to coolly 90
to work with their best Judgment
There are two sorts of croup-one in
which the hoarseness and choking are
caused by a sort Of spasm or contraction
of the CLOTHS. and known to physicians
as ~pseudo-croup or false Group, and in
this there is little or no formation of
membrane. With false Group there is
much tightness, the same harsh, brassy
cough, the breathing is wheezy, difficult
and rapid. The attacks come on with
catarrh and hoarseness, and are apt to
recur several nights, sometimes coming
on in the daytime.
There are many causes for an attack
Of false Group Sometimes it originates
from the stomach. An exceptionally
hearty supper or some indigestible GOD
eaten during the evening may set up an
irritation which will bring on the symp-
toms Of false Group, but of course the
usual cause is exposure and wet feet. 1t
is really a mild disease, and quickly sub
sides under proper treatment, and is not
apt to be followed by dangerous compli-
cations.
For immediate relief wet a towel in
cold water and wiring it out Just dry
enough to prevent its dripping, and fold
it about h child's neck, then cover this
with dry towels or flannel cloths to pre-
vent the pillow, etc, from being wet.
In many cases this wet packing of the
throat is all that is necessary. Leave it
on until the breathing is easy and natu-
raj, and be sure to rub the child dry and
warm after taking off the pack. 1t is
well to put a light wooden bandage about
the throat for the remainder of the
night, but never accustom a child to be-
ing bundled up" If the cold pack does
not prove sufficient to give relief at once,
give repeated doses of strip of ipecac,
larger or smaller according to the vio-
lence of the spasm, until vomiting en-
sues.
An excellent cough medicine to keep
in the house, and one which works well
in cases of false Group, is the old fash
Toned mixture of strip of squills and
paregoric, or a mixture of glycerine and
water in equal parts. If with this treat
ment the child does not get easy, and fall
into a natural sleep, but, on the contra
ry, the choking sensation continues or
becomes worse, you may conclude that
you have a case on hand of true Group,
and the sooner o get a doctor the bet
ter
GUARDING AGAINST GROUP.
False Group you may relieve tonight,
and tomorrow morning there may be no
trace of it; tomorrow night and the next
night and for several nights it may come
on again as badly as ever. 1t is not so,
however, with true ~croup-there is no
''let up in this case; the condition grad
ualy gets more and more severe until
death ensues from ~suffocation, or until
the disease submits to treatment. The
average duration of a case of real Group
is about seven or eight days, and many
methods and remedies are advised.
Both false and true Group may be
guarded against in great measure. 1t is
a mistake to accustom children to such
bundling and wrapping up when they go
out that active exercise is not easily
taken, and of course | would not have
you go to the other extreme and not
clothe them warmly enough; but if they
are strong and lively, the latter course is
really the safest, provided they can come
indoors to rest and get warm. Look to
it that their feet are attended to when
they come in from playing in the wet.
A good rubbing, or better still, bathing
in alcohol and water, and hen rubbing,
and dry, arm stockings, will often pre-
vent a case of Group or some other form
of cold.
If they are weak, or not really active
and strong, a course of strip iodide of
iron will usually bring them up. See to
it that they are regular and rather lax in
their bowel movements, for nearly every
preparation of iron has a tendency to
promote constipation.
WHAT TO DO FOR RoUP.
Death is almost always caused by SUI
location, on account of the closing up of
the glottis by the membrane, which
forms so rapidly that constant atten-
ton with the probang or spray is neces-
sary to impede its growth. Whichever
method of applying is used, any applica-
ton that is irritating is dangerous and
should be avoided, as, for instance, nj
trate of silver and several of the mineral
acids.
Probably the best solvent is freshly
made lime water, and it may readily be
applied in form of vapor without any APP
paratus. Small pieces of fresh, unslaked
lime may be put into a wide mouthed
bottle-a pint glass fruit jar will answer
and water poured upon it to slake it, and
the patient may then breathe the fresh
vapor as it arises. In cases of true Group
this is probably the best course to pursue
iron full strength may be applied to the
membrane with a camel's hair pencil or
a probang. The latter instrument is
simply a bit of fine soft sponge, fastened
securely with silk thread to the end of a
piece of w~halebone or reed about as long
as a lead pencil, and is simply a swab.
With this swab diluted Tactic acid may
be applied to the membrane, and next to
lime water it is probably the best and
safest solvent that can be used. To pre-
pare it for use simply add the acid to
water until it has a decidedly sour taste.
During an attack of Group it is necessary
that we should do everything to keep
the patient n%ourished, as the tremendous
exertion of breathing, together with the
apprehension Of fatal result, are most ex-
hausting A Doctor in NewYork World
~ M. mil