The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-04-18
Whooping Cough MayP ProveVery
 Dangerous
Ry nr. cbarlotte Q. wAat

ksJr 4tEs NtIHEA0EN6 Os M 63k Whooping cough is one of the most dangerous diseases of childhood, yet there are still those So ignorant upon the subject that they deliberately ex- pose well children to the infection. Some because they believe all children should 60 through diseases of this na- ture as early in life as possible and
 get through with them" other be- cause s'they know not what they do!
 The susceptibility to whoopinx cough, like that to measles. is almost universal, that is, very few escape when exposed to it. It is prevalent in the spring, and I trust all mothers and those having the care of little children will heed this waAiing be- cause it is peculiarly a disease of in- fancy and early chilhood.
 With the onset of the 'whoop. the true nature of the disease may be first suspected. There are cases of true whooping cough in which there is no swhoop." Infants in arms rarely de velop it. A croupy or growing sound with paroxysmal attacks usually indi- cate the condition.
 The 'whoop" can be brought out for diagnostic purposes in older chill dren by pressure upon or traction of the tongue and by the act of swal- lowing. When child voniifs freely during successive par0xysms its strength must be sustained by coh- centrated foods and tonics; indeed, frequent paroxysmAl attacks are usually attended with extreme ex- haustion, except in the robust. There fore the diet is of paramount im- portance. Eating often brings on the cough and the food is usually expelled with mass of thick mucous. The child should always be given another meal, which, If temptingly prepared, is thoroughly enjoyed.
 Such causes as are likely to bring on a paroxysm should be studiously guarded against: cold drink, laugh tar, anger or other emotions are among these. They are also more frequent in q close room and at night. There fore, an abundance of fresh air in the sleeping room is essential as a preven- tive measure, mitigating the severity of the attacks.
 Children who are warmly clad in light woolens and who are kept out in the fresh air the greater part of the time recover far more speedily than those who are housed and who are fore cd to sleep in poorly ventilated rooms. Delicate and badly nourished children, those who have rickets, those who are debilitated from a recent illness, bear whooping cough badly.
 As for the treatment-there is no specific treatment. Myriad remedies. all having more or less the same object in view, are employed to disinfect the upper air passages and to lessen the pafoxysmAl cough. Disinfectants and antiseptics, narcotics and anti-spas- modics, anti-catarrhal remedies. are all in vogue. So far fresh air acts as the most effective inhalant.
 A domestic remedy that has met with signal success in the experience of sn English physician is as follows :: Peel the cloves of garlic, cut them into thin elices and wear them under the coles of the feet between two pairs of stockings. The garlic can usually be snnelled on the breath within half an hour after the slices have begun to be worn and the whoop and spasm usually disappear within forty-eight hours. The garlic should be worn for a week or ten days, or longer, according to the severity of the case.
 Now since garlic is a powerful anti spatmodic and since whooping cough is regarded by many authorities ag@a neurosis, this simple treatment is well worth trying in all cases.