The Dickinson press., 1891-06-06
TREATMENT OF GROUP.
WHAT TO DO FOR THE DISEASE IN
THE ABSENCE OF A DOCTOR.

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ienness, Its action is so rapid, and the
little patient is so soon in a condition
is very ear to death, that parents
lose their heads" and from extreme
fear and anxiety are unable to coolly go
to work with their best Judgment.
There are two sorts of croup-one in
the hoarseness and choking are
by Il sort of spasln Or contraction
of the glottis, 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
the breathing is wheezy, difficult
and rapid. The attacks come on with
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
supper or some indigestible food
eaten during the evening may set up an
irritation which will bring on the symp-
toms of false Group, but of curse the
usual cause is exposure and wet feet. 1t
is really a mild disease, and quickly SUBJ
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 the 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-
and be sure to rub the child dry and
warm after taking off the pack. 1t is
well toput a light wooden bandage about
the throat for the remainder of the
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 sirup of ipecac,
or smaller according to the vio-
of the spasln, until vomiting en-
sues.
An excellent cough medicine to keep
the house, and n which works well
cases of false Group, is the old fash
toned mixture of sirup of squills and
paregoric, or a mixture of g!ycerine and
in equal parts. If with this treat
ncnt tho child does not get easy, and fall
INTO a natural sleep, but, on the contra
y, the choking sensation continues OF
becomes worse, you may conclude that
you have a case on hand of true Group,
the one you get a doctor the bet
Ter.
GUARDING AGAINST GROUP.
False Group you may relieve tonight,
md tomorrow morning there may be no
race of it; tomorrow night and the next
hight and for several nights it may come
IN again as badly rs ever. 1t is not SO,
however, with true croup-there is no
let up in this case; the condition grad
tally gets more and more severe until
leath ensues from suffocation, or until
he disease submits to treatment. The
lverage duration of a case of real Group
s 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
mistake to accustom children to such
oundling and wrapping up when they go
that active exercise is not easily
and Of course l would not have
you go to the other extreme and not
them warmly enough; but if they
re strong and lively, the latter course is
'eally the safest, provided they can come
INDOORS to rest and get warm. Look to
t that their feet r attended to when
hey como in from playing in the wet.
. good rubbing, or better still, bathing
. alcohol and water, and then rubbing,
md dry, warm stockings, will often pre-
7ent a case of Group or some other form
If cold.
If they are weak, or not really active
md strong, a course of strip iodide of
ron will usually bring them up. See to
t that they are regular and rather lax in
heir bowel movements, for nearly every
of iron has a tendency to
promote constipation.
WHAT TO DO FOR GROUP.
Death is almost always caused by suf-
location, on account of the closing up of
;he CLOTHS by the membrane, which
forms so rapidly that constant atten-
ion with the probang or spray is neces-
'ary to impede its growth. Whichever
method of applying is used, any applica-
lion that is irritating is dangerous and
should be avoided, as, for instance, nj
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 anyap-
Small pieces of fresh, unslaked
may be put into a wide mouthed
glass fruit jar will answer
and water poured upon it to Stake 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
until the doctor comes. Tincture of
iron full strength) may be applied to the
membrane with a camel's hair pencil OF
probang. The latter instrument is
a bit of fine soft sponge, fastened
securely with silk thread to the end of a
piece Of whalebone 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-
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 nourished, as the tremendous
exertion of breathing, together with the
apprehension of fatal result, are moste x-
haueting.-A Doctor in NewYork World.
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