Ripley County democrat. (Doniphan, Mo.) 1905-1920, 1916-03-31
Whooping Cough.
Furnished by the Department Of Pre-
vent!ve Medicine, University Of
Missouri, Columbia, Mo.

MlesouIis CoiumDlhs MO-
Whooping cough derives Its
name from the peculiar inspira-
tory whoop following paroxysm
Of coughing, The disease occurs
Ia extensive epidemics, apparen-
tly uninhuenced by weather or
season, although its epidemics
are most severe and frequent in
cold climates. Apparently 1t 10
a disease Of fairly modern origin.
AT least We do not find il certain-
ly described by ancient writers.
It In caused by a small germ
which is thrown out in the act OF
coughing, consequently it is
spread most often by direct con-
tact OF one child with another.
The germ may, however, be car
ried from one person to another
by handkerchief, toys, drinking
cups, roller towels and other OBJ
jects which become infe ,ted with
the sscretions Of the respiratory
tract. 1t is said that some OF the
lower animals, particularly the
dog, are occasionally infected
with whooping cough, and the
disease may be spread in this
manner. It is contagious from
the appearance of the earliest
symptoms, and the danger of
contagion is greater during the
early stages, although it exists
throughout the disease and dur.
ing convalescence. After expo.
sure, a period of from one to two
weeks elapses before the appear
anoe Of symptoms.
People generally do not realize
tn Q dangerous character oi
whooping cough. The death rate
In the United States is about 10,.
900 a year-more than scarlet
fever. 1t is particularly danger
ous to children under 3 years Of
age and to those who are tuber-
culcus.
The principles of prevention
are simple. Since the disease il
spread entirely by the secretions
from the respiratory tract, pre-
vention consists In keeping Other
children from coming in contact
with these. Isolation of patients
is necessary. Toys, handker'
chiefs, etc., should not be passet
from a sick child to we'll ones
Sick children should not be al
10 wed to go to school, theaters o.
public assemblies Of any sort
Owing to the long duration of al
attack OF whooping cough ant
the fact that children are seldom
i'll enough to be confined to bed
isolation is particularly hard Il
carry out. An abundance o
fresh air helps in the treatmsn
and there is no objection to child
rem going out provided they ar'
in the care o; an intelligent per
son who will prevent contact witt
well children. In some cities
the wearing Of an arm. band mar
ked "whooping cough" has bee'
tried with apparent good results
This prevents other children fror
coming in close contact with sic
ones. The closer the contact
the greater the danger.
J, A vaccine made from the gerr
is quite extensively employed
From three to four injections al
, given, and in great majority
: cases, according to reports, lh
disease is prevented. The sam
D vaccine is used for treatment wit
/, extremely good results. Viii
the matter is not yet considere
: settled, no harm can come frol
the use of the vaccine, and 1t hi
, produced such favorable resul
: wherever tried, that its uee 10
be recommended, especially sins
no other satisfactory form
treatment has yet been devise
While certain drugs apparent
' have q favorable influence, moi
. has been found which will st'