The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-09-10
Home Nursing
Something About Group Tents

something About Group Tents
 ET WAS cold, rainy weather in late
 summer when Terry Rand, the
 pride and fondest hope of his mother and father, awoke one night coughing that dry, hollow "bark" which every mother recognizes with alarm as a sym tom of croup.
 Terry's mother knew she should do something besides stand and wiring her hands-but what it was she could not think. ss
 Terry's father dashed about in pa jamas saying, Be calm, my dear. All children have croup. Had its myself millions of times, :" but his hands shook and his teeth ch8ttered and he after ward admitted that his mind was a per feet blank from the moment Terry be- gan to cough and clutch nt his throat.
 It was Mandy, the cook, who entered the room like tower of strength in her red and black checkerad dressing gown.
 Seems like the pore lamb done need a tent" she said, her great eyes rowing in distress from one terrified young parent to another and back to the lit- tie sufferer on the pillow. I
 So a tent was made. I
 Not the kind of tent Terry's father instantly thought of-a red and white striped pup-tent down by the river where he kept his fishing tackle. It was a tent hastily made from a sheet, pinned around the top of the cot, to provide a shelter for warm moist air for the distressed child to breathe.
 Terry's father brought the electric kettle from the dining room and at- tached it to the electric light. Any old tin kettle with a spout would have an- swered just as well. The electric one had the advantage of being safe and speedy, and could be placed on chair close to the child's bed, where the steam could get under the tent without fear of setting fire to the bed clothes.
 When an alcohol lamp has to be used for steam kettle, great care should be taken to place it firmly in a safe place, preferably metal basin, so that if it should overturn the bedclothes and floor will be protected from fire.
 Place the kettle on chair close to the bed. Do not allow the spout to reach in far enough to burn the child, or for the steam to hiss directly on the patient. The object is to fill the uAE WILL WuElu AlOlDlurO dS YulCkly de possible to make breathing less difficult.
 A protector should always be placed between the kettle and bed, especially when there is an open flame under the kettle.
 Put only n little water in the kettle at first so it will boil quickly. Heat more to add to it on the kitchen stove ia the meantime.
 Always place a folded blanket on top of the improvised tent that is pinned around and over the head of the bed. Otherwise there will be nothing to absorb the moisture and 1t will con dense and drip down on the bed. A few drops of benzoin compound, balsam, or a drop or two of eucalyptus may be added to the boiling water to medicate the steam.s
 As soon as the child begins to breathe the steamed air his painful breathing should lessen. If it does not, it is safe to give him ten drops of syrup of, ipecac to make him vomit, which will help to clear the air passages in his throat. If the doctor can not be summoned hur- riedly, it is better to give the ipecac, or even large doeses of tepid water to wash out the child's stomach. Vomit- ing relieves the congestion and fire quently a child with eroup will fall delight at the beautiful rose-red balloon she held out to him.
 You brunged it to me?"
 The surprise, incredibly, the rapture upon his eager face, as, stooping Miss Ellen put the string into his little hand the love his eyes told her sent ban IL A. |