The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-06-17

The particularly dangerous character
istic of Group is. ike pneumonia. its sud-
3enness It's action is so rapid, and the
little patient is SO soon in 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 spasn 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 ara 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 viii bring on the symp-
toms of false Group, but of course the
usual cause is exposure and wet feet. Il
is really mild disease, and quickly SUBJ
sides under proper treatment, and Is not
apt to be followed by dangerous comph-
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 ali that is necessary. Leave 1t
on until the breathing is easy and natu-
raj, and be sure to rub the child dry and
warm after taking off the pack. Ii IL
well to put light wooden 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 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. II with this treat
ment the child does not get easy, and fall
into a natural sleep, but, on the contra
~, the choking sensation continues or
becomes worse, you may conclude that
you have 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 DO 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
ually gets moro and more severe until
death ensues from suffocation, or until
the disease submits to treatment. The
average duration OF 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 II
a mistake to accustom children 10 such
bundling and wrapping up when they &c
out that active exercise Ia not easily
taken, and of course l 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 II
really the safest, provided they can come
indoors TO rest and get warm. Look e
! it that their feet are attended to wher
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 a case OF Group or some other form
/ OF cold.
If they are weak, or not really active
and strong, n course Of strip iodide Of
/ iron will usually bring them up. See q
/ it that they are regular and rather lax il
their bowel movements, for nearly ever
preparation of iron has a tendency Z
promote constipation.
WHAT TO DO FOR GROUP.
Death is almost always caused by sui
location, OF account Of the closing mp o
the CLOTHS by the membrane, whicl
forms so rapidly that constant atten
ton with the probang or spray 10 neces
sary to impede its growth Whicheve
method of applying is used, any applica
ton that is irritating is dangerous an
should be avoided, as, for instance, nj
trate Of silver and several Of the minera
acids.
4 Probably the best solvent is freshl.
made lime water, and it may readily b
applied in form Of vapor without any a.
paratua Small pieces OF fresh, unslaks'
lime may be put into a wide mouths
bottle pint glass fruit jar viii answer
and water poured upon il 70 slaks IL, an
the patient may then breathe the fires
vapor as it arises. In cases OF true c-ou
this is probably the best course % purs1
until the doctor comes. Tincture G
iron full strength may be applied 10 u
membrane with canels hair pencil c
probanZ. The latter instrument
simply a biz Of fine soft sponge. fastens
securely with silk thread 70 tAs end Of
niece Of whaleoons CT reed about a. lcn
as a Lad pencil, and Is simply swab-
With this swab diluted lactic acid ma
Be applied 20 the membrane, and next
lime water it u probably tins best al
safest solvent that can De used To Dr.
pare il for uss simply add the acid
water until IL has decidedly sour tast'
During an attack q Group t. is BscsszaI
that we should do everything 20 kss
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