Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-07-16
TREATMENT OF GROUP.
WHAT TO 90 FOR THE DISEASE m
THE ABSENCE or A DOCTOR.


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 go
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 OF contraction
Of the glottis. and known to physicians
as pseudo-croup or false Group, and in
mis- there is little or no formation of
KAsmbFane. With false group there is
zach tightness, the same harsh, brsssy
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 food
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 mild disease, and quickly SUBJ
sides under proper treatment, and is not
apt to be followed by dangerous compli-
cations.
For immediate relief wet 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-
raj, and be sure to rub the child dry and
warm after taking off the pack. 1t is
well put light woolen bandage about
the throat for the remainder of the
night, but never accustom 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,
larger or smaller according to the vio-
lence of the spasln, 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
ioned mixture of sirup of squills and
paregoric, or mixture of glycerine and
water in equal parts. If with this treat
ment the child does not get easy, and fall
into 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 you get 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
'1et up" in this case; the condition grad
ually gets more and more severe until
death ensues from suffocation, or until
the disease submits to treatment. The
average duration Of o 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. It 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 net
clothe them warmly enough; but if they
are strong and lively, the Mtter 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 then rubbing,
and dry, warm stockings, will often pre-
vent case of Group or some other form
of cold.
If they are weak, or not really active
and strong, course of sirup 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 tendency to
promote constipation.
WHAT TO DO FOR GROUP.
Death is almost always caused by suf-
location, on account of the closing up Of
the glottis by the membrane, which
forms so rapidly that constant atten-
tion with the probang or spray is neces-
sary to impede its growth. Whichever
method Of applying is used, any applica-
tion 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 ap-
paratus. Small pieces of fresh, unslaked
lime may be put into 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
until the doctor comes Tincture of
iron full strength may be applied to the
membrane with 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
piece of whalebone or reed about as long
as lead pencil, and is simply swab.
+ With this swab diluted Tactic acid may
be applied to the membrane, and next to