St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1905-06-17
-.2S
Home Health
| Club
By DAVID b. FEEDER. Ph. D.. N.l
La Porte, Ind.
WHooPING COUGH.
~

Recently | have had number Of
requests from mothers for the home
treatment of whooping cough and
chicaenpox, and, although neither OF
them are considered very dangerous
Or serious diseases, yet it is always
wise to have at hand safe and tho
ough home treatment for the cure OF
such cases.
Whooping cough is an infectious
contagious, practically self-limited dis
ease, peculiar to children, and usually
occurring epidemically, although iso-
lated cases are not infrequent, and
one attack rendering the subject prac-
tlcally immune against the subsequent
coItagion. 1t is divided into three
quite distinct stages. The time required
for the development of the disease
after exposure varies in different cases
| from AZ hours to eight weeks. While
the disease is not particularly danger
Gus within itself, yet serious complica-
tons invariably follow improper
| treatment.
The first stage Of the disease is
largely catarrhal, the onset being very
similar to that OF common cold, and
lasting from one to five weeks. There
is sneezing, watery eyes, slight fever,
headache, indisposition, slight chilli
ness and constant distressing cough
ing.
The second stage is what is known
as the paroxysmal stage. 1t is ex-
tremely distressing to the subject, and
frightening to initiated attendants.
Severe paroxysms are preceded by q
peculiar sensation in the throat and
chest, thus giving warning Of an ap-
preaching attack. During these severe
spells the air is all expelled from the
lungs by several rapid and violent
explratory acts, followed by rush of
air to the lungs, characterized by a
peculiar whoop. This procedure pro-
duces weakness, and the child grasps
some handy object to support itself.
The veins of the neck dilate, the heart
pounds away terrifcally, the eyeballs
bulge out, and the face turns purple,
the forehead is covered with profuse
perspiTation, and suffocation seems i'm
mlrent. The paroxysm usually lasts
about three minutes, when it suddenly
disappears. 1t is followed by the ex-
pectoratiOn of mucous, and possibly
by the vomiting ct the contents of the
stomach. The involuntary evacuation
of the bladder or bowels, or both, is
also frequently a feature. This stage
generally lasts about ten days.
The third stage is practically merely
the convalescence. 1t is very critical
period. because the subject is usually
too active, persists in overeating and
is liable to expose himself This must
be strenuously avoided.
The first stage of the disease is the
proper time to apply treatment. The
child should be kept well clothed, and
especial care should be exercised to
keep the feet warm and dry.
But where Home Health club princi-
pies are employed there need never be
any second stage. Put the child to
bed and apply dry heat to the feet,
and give the patient a diluted acetic
acid bath, and follow with an injunc-
ton of olive or almond OIL Then give
the child cup of hot ginger tea or a
five-grain (as much as you can hold
on the point of knife) dose of cap
sicum Cayenne pepper). This will gen.
orally be sufficient to break up the dis
ease and prevent the impending at
tack.
After the second stage is reached,
Ill that can he done is to take the
best care of the patient, and thus
avoid any complications, and also
shorten the duration of the disease.
Protect the child from draughts and
la,npness, and supply it with a plain,
nutritious diet. Be very careful during
he third stage to keep the child from
'vereating and exposure