Whooping cough (pertussis) in Children
- Benson.A.R,
Whooping cough is an infectious disease, characterized by spasmodic attacks of coughing. During these coughing attacks the forcible drawing in of the breath causes a crowing noise, known as the "whoop."
Before the whoop is present there is usually a period extending from two or three days to a week when the cough is hard, dry and irritating. It is a sort, sharp cough, coming very frequently, and is usually worse at night than in the day time. It resembles very closely the cough in acute bronchitis, but if the lungs are examined the lesions of bronchitis are not found.
After a longer or shorter period the true spasmodic character of the cough becomes noticeable. The child may cough for five or ten minutes at a time, with frequent whooping, and usually the cough ends is vomiting of thick, stringy mucus.
During these spasmodic attacks, the child becomes blue or purple in the face, rushes for the nurse's skirts or some article of furniture to which it holds, or an older child leans forward with the hands on the knees. The attack seems most alarming, and to those who are not familiar with the disease, it seems as if the child would choke to death. When the attack is over, however, the child goes about its play as unconcerned as if nothing had happened.
This stage usually lasts three or four weeks, and is followed by a long period in which there is simply a loose, rattling, catarrhal cough, with only rarely the spasmodic or whooping character about it. The whole disease may extend over a period of two or three months.
This is a disease which requires careful medical attention, principally on account of the danger of pneumonia, bronchitis and tuberculosis. All of the child's vitality is needed to overcome the disease and it falls an easy prey to other infections.
If it is possible to keep the child in the open air without coming in contact with other children, it is always desirable to do so. Cases of whooping cough do best at the seashore. If children must be kept in the house, the windows must be kept open as much as possible, and during the spasm of coughing the child should be taken to the window.
The numerous patent medicines, nostrums and home remedies which are given to relieve the spasms are of no value, and they do harm in irritating the already sensitive stomach of the child. If the child holds its face over a bowl of hot water and inhales the steam, it sometimes gives temporary relief. The inhalation of medicated steam or vapor should never be resorted to except by a physician's direction. Serious cases of poisoning are sometimes noted as a result of these inhalations on account of the presence of Carbolic acid in them.
A firm bandage around the abdomen, or better still, a whooping cough belt, which is sold at all large places where surgical supplies are kept, will afford more relief than any other single measure.
The matter of nourishment is an important one, as the child is likely to have a spasm of coughing and vomiting after eating, and considerable care is necessary in giving food. Milk should form the principal article of diet, and this should be given in small quantities, very slowly from a teaspoon. It is best always to give the nourishment immediately after an attack of coughing, as this will allow the stomach to absorb a portion, at least, of the food before another attack of the coughing comes on. Beef juice, beef broth, eggs and other nourishing food should be given freely. It is of the utmost importance to sustain the child's strength during this disease.
During the spasms the child should be helped in every way possible. Changing the position, holding the child with the head forward, pushing the lower jaw forward or providing something for the child to lean against will often help. The child should never be left alone. At times it may be necessary to insert the finger covered with a soft cloth into the child's throat to remove the mucus. These spasms, if severe, seriously strain the child's heart, and stimulation under a physician's direction may be necessary.
Bryonia : A teaspoonful every one to two hours, will quiet the cough during the early stages before the spasmodic character is apparent.
Ipecac : A teaspoonful after each spasm, should be given during the second stage when there is much vomiting.
Cuprum may be used in the same way if the spasms are violent, the patient becomes blue in the face, and vomiting is not so marked.
One or the other of these remedies will usually shorten the attack and relieve the spasms.
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| Whooping cough |
Before the whoop is present there is usually a period extending from two or three days to a week when the cough is hard, dry and irritating. It is a sort, sharp cough, coming very frequently, and is usually worse at night than in the day time. It resembles very closely the cough in acute bronchitis, but if the lungs are examined the lesions of bronchitis are not found.
After a longer or shorter period the true spasmodic character of the cough becomes noticeable. The child may cough for five or ten minutes at a time, with frequent whooping, and usually the cough ends is vomiting of thick, stringy mucus.
During these spasmodic attacks, the child becomes blue or purple in the face, rushes for the nurse's skirts or some article of furniture to which it holds, or an older child leans forward with the hands on the knees. The attack seems most alarming, and to those who are not familiar with the disease, it seems as if the child would choke to death. When the attack is over, however, the child goes about its play as unconcerned as if nothing had happened.
This stage usually lasts three or four weeks, and is followed by a long period in which there is simply a loose, rattling, catarrhal cough, with only rarely the spasmodic or whooping character about it. The whole disease may extend over a period of two or three months.
This is a disease which requires careful medical attention, principally on account of the danger of pneumonia, bronchitis and tuberculosis. All of the child's vitality is needed to overcome the disease and it falls an easy prey to other infections.
If it is possible to keep the child in the open air without coming in contact with other children, it is always desirable to do so. Cases of whooping cough do best at the seashore. If children must be kept in the house, the windows must be kept open as much as possible, and during the spasm of coughing the child should be taken to the window.
The numerous patent medicines, nostrums and home remedies which are given to relieve the spasms are of no value, and they do harm in irritating the already sensitive stomach of the child. If the child holds its face over a bowl of hot water and inhales the steam, it sometimes gives temporary relief. The inhalation of medicated steam or vapor should never be resorted to except by a physician's direction. Serious cases of poisoning are sometimes noted as a result of these inhalations on account of the presence of Carbolic acid in them.
A firm bandage around the abdomen, or better still, a whooping cough belt, which is sold at all large places where surgical supplies are kept, will afford more relief than any other single measure.
The matter of nourishment is an important one, as the child is likely to have a spasm of coughing and vomiting after eating, and considerable care is necessary in giving food. Milk should form the principal article of diet, and this should be given in small quantities, very slowly from a teaspoon. It is best always to give the nourishment immediately after an attack of coughing, as this will allow the stomach to absorb a portion, at least, of the food before another attack of the coughing comes on. Beef juice, beef broth, eggs and other nourishing food should be given freely. It is of the utmost importance to sustain the child's strength during this disease.
During the spasms the child should be helped in every way possible. Changing the position, holding the child with the head forward, pushing the lower jaw forward or providing something for the child to lean against will often help. The child should never be left alone. At times it may be necessary to insert the finger covered with a soft cloth into the child's throat to remove the mucus. These spasms, if severe, seriously strain the child's heart, and stimulation under a physician's direction may be necessary.
Bryonia : A teaspoonful every one to two hours, will quiet the cough during the early stages before the spasmodic character is apparent.
Ipecac : A teaspoonful after each spasm, should be given during the second stage when there is much vomiting.
Cuprum may be used in the same way if the spasms are violent, the patient becomes blue in the face, and vomiting is not so marked.
One or the other of these remedies will usually shorten the attack and relieve the spasms.
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