This “whoop” is the signal of the child’s safety, for when suffocation does take place it is before the crowing inspiration has been made.
The fits pass off with the expectoration of glairy, ropy mucus, and sometimes with vomiting. Between the attacks the child is lively, and appears well. The cough is generally worse at night, so that a decline of nocturnal attacks is a favourable symptom. But it may be brought back with all its severity by exposure, improper food, or by want of careful nursing. it is often fatal, especially in winter, when complicated with Scrofula, Congestion of the Lungs, Bronchitis, Pneumonia, Water in the Head, Convulsions, of Infantile Remittent Fever.
EPITOME OF TREATMENT.
1. Premonitory Catarrh. Aconite, Belladonna, Ipecac.
2. Developed Whooping-cough. Drosera, Veratrum, Coral-Rub.
3. Brain Symptoms. Belladonna, Cuprum, Veratrum-Vir., Gelsemium, Opi.
4. Lung Complications. Phosphorus, Bryonia, Aconite
5. Gastric Symptoms. Ipecac., Antim tart. Cina., K.-Bich., Pulsatilla
LEADING INDICATIONS.
Acon and Belladonna As this disease begins in a common cold and cough, the prompt administration of these remedies will often prevent its development.
Ipecacuanha. Dry, hard cough, threatening suffocation, with vomiting and other gastric derangements; watery or bloody discharges from the eyes and nose.
Drosera. Whooping stage; loud, hoarse, frequent, violent paroxysms, causing perspiration and vomiting of food or mucus.
Veratrum. Great exhaustion, cold perspiration, involuntary escape of urine, pains in the abdomen, anxious expression.
Cuprum. Frequent paroxysms, causing convulsions, rigidity of the body, and almost a suspension of the breath, followed by vomiting and extreme prostration. Ant.- Tart. may be alternated with Cuprum if there be rattling of mucus in the chest.
Sulphur. When the phlegm loses its tenacious character and becomes opaque, showing decline of the disorder.
Cina. Worm complications; also in alternation with Belladonna, when there are signs of water in the head.
ADDITIONAL REMEDIES. Corallia. If the cough returns after it has apparently declined. Bryonia or Phosphorus Chest complications. Arnica, Ipecac., or Drosera Vomiting of bright-red blood. Kali bichromicum Tough, sticky, stringy mucus. Dulcamara Aggravation by damp. Mercurius Night attacks. Petrol. Excessive sickness.
ACCESSORIES. In warm, fine weather, the patient may take exercise in the open air each day: indeed, reasonable exposure to the open air, in the absence of unfavourable conditions, is one of the most essential aids towards recovery. But damp and draughts should be avoided, as the skin is generally relaxed, sensitive to cold, and after a paroxysm bathed in perspiration. Warm clothing is therefore necessary. Fits of anger add to the frequency and violence of the paroxysms. Infants must be watched day and night, taken up as soon as a fit comes on, and placed in a favourable posture.
In obstinate cases change of air, if only for a short distance, often proves of great utility.
XX. Mumps (Parotitis).
SYMPTOMS. At first there is a feeling of stiffness and soreness on moving the jaw, and the child complains of the discomfort of eating; indeed, the pain is sometimes agonizing. The glands under the ear swell, and are sore and painful, with more or less fever and headache, for about a week.
CAUSES. Atmospheric influences; infection; large doses of Iodine of Mercury.
It is more common to children after the fifth year than to adults; it is infectious, but only occasionally attacks the same person twice.
REMEDIES. Mercurius is generally sufficient to effect a cure. For scrofulous children, Mercurius-Iodium is the best preparation.
Aconite Feverish disturbance.
Belladonna Mumps having an erysipelatous character, with pain, and a tendency to remove to the brain.
Hyoscyamus may follow, if Belladonna does not give speedy relief.
Pulsatilla Removal to the testicle or breasts.
ACCESSORY MEANS. The child should be kept in a warm room, but not confined to bed. The parts may be fomented with hot water ( but on no account with cold) several times a day, and in the intervals covered with a flannel bandage. The patient should be protected from cold, damp, and excitement. The food should be mainly liquid.
LICENTIATE OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS; MEMBER OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS; LICENTIATE IN MIDWIFERY, LONDON AND EDINBURGH, ETC. PHYSICIAN TO THE READING AND BERKSHIRE HOMOEOPATHIC DISPENSARY.
Author of "The Stepping Stone to Homeopathy and Health,"
"Manual of Homoeopathic Treatment". Editor of "The Homoeopathic World."