Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-11-20
FOR CURING GROUP.
WISE PRECAUTIONS FOR PREVENTING
THE DISEASE NJ WINTER.

1correspondence Of the Dispatch.)

NEW YORK, November 1.-THE months
OF November. December, and January
bring the greatest mortality or that
dreaded disease, Group. Simple Group Is
not particularly fatal. and may occur
again and again in the same child, but
membraneous Group Is an enemy not 70
be despised. and is rarely repeated. The
symptoms are much alike. and the best
plan is TO look on all cases as men,
brsneous until proved otherwise.
The first suggestion OF Group Is the
voice. which becomes hoarse. and Is ac-
companed by cough terminating In
sound like a cocks Growing. Mothers
who have never heard 1t recognize the
sound instinctively.
This Ia one OF the cases where IAN
ounce of prevention Is worth pounds OF
cure" and the sensible mother Is al
ways prepared to meet the enemy.
Simple Group Is cured by equally SIM
pie means The mother Is the best judge
as TO whether going out makes the dis-
ease worse, Some children are badly al
fected, others not at all, 30 no one rule
applies. The clothing must be warm, the
air In the house kept pure and sweet. the
diet regulated so as not 10 increase any
feverish symptoms at bedtime Lot
mustard foot bath, external application
OF liniment TO the throat, and few drops
OF syrup Of ipecacuanha taken internally.
| a majority OF cases yield to this treat
ment without any outside aid.
Membraneous Group Is stubborn. BE-
sides the voice, the symptoms are often
those OF common cold. but all the tine
a false membrane Is forming, which
gradually lengthens and thickens TIL me
breathing Is almost stopped. ms creep
ing on OF the disease Is what makes IL
so fatal for mothers, not examining the
throat and seeing only symptoms for a
simple cold, neglect to send for doctor
till the child Is on the road To death'
LOOKING DOWN THE THROAT.
How many people know how to examine
| the throat? Opening the chlids mouth
and attempting TO hold the tongue uo"ii
| is useless Watch doctor! he wiz aaN
| for a spoon. lay the child on his lap
where a strong light shines on Its face
| omen the mouth, press the inverted handie
Of the spoon on the tongue, ana thefe -
| the entire back OF the mouth exposed 10
view. IT does not terrify chiid, ana
.bonld be done whenever ii ais. Any deep
redness OF the throat. or white or yeIio"
snots or q false membrane FORMING
suffice to call in n doctors aid without
LOGS of time This throat examination
cannot be too highly recommended, since
! It is an unfailng guide
WHEN WITHOUT A DOCTOR.
The whole design of treatment Is 10
force the membrane up. Emetics are al
WAYS employed chiefly tartar emetic ana
ipecacuanha. The dose OF the f1rmer ioi
children to years Is one quarter TO one
half grain. For use. TAKE four ohe-puai
ter-grain powders to n Tablespoonful Oh
warm water, and give about a half table
spoonful every fifteen minutes. The iat-
ter dose IS five to ten grams In water
Both are open to an objection that AFTER
n time they seem to lose their power
and powdered alum used In place. Inc
dose of this Is a teaspoonful In money
or syrup. The astringent quaiity ac's
powerfully on the membrane. III II uoeS
not separate in fifteen minutes give
second dose. The vomiting should be con-
tinual.
WISE PRECAUTIONS.
Local treatment is OF great Importance
Chlorate OF potash. bicarb OF soda, lime
water, etc, are applied 10 the ahected
part In older children by an atomzer
Few children can gargle. though 1t ought
TO be taught them. Sick children cannot
be taught anything, but only become ter
rined 1t Is such q relief to doctor TO
find children who are not startled by the
sight of Instruments and medicines. one
mother who has very painful disease
inherent In her family has made II her
duty TO show her flock, ranging from
8 10 II years, stomach pumps, atomizers'
syringes. surgical needles. knives, etc,
explaining their wonderful benefit TO the
human race II Is a sensible plan, for
what mother says" goes with children.
Stacking lime is a standard remedy.
The child Is wrapped IN blanket which
also envelopes the Stacking lime ana
made to breathe the fumes "a few minutes
every hour. Swinging in an open mesh
hammock over the lime is sometimes en-
ployed.
Many mothers who have raised a brood
employ favorte remedies OF their own.
One administers glycerine till the doctor
| comes, another makes a plaster of snuff
| for the throat. and stil another swears by
| goose-grease. She nearly lost her baby
| in diphtherla, and in desperation gave
goose-grease till the child's stomach would
retain no more and he v6mted, bringing
| up the membrane. KENNEL WOOD.