WHOOPING COUGH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 194, 17 August 1932, Page 13

WHOOPING COUGH.

(By PERITUS.)

Nearly every general practitioner and children's specialist lias hie own favourite remedy for the most obstinate and' troublesome disease, whooping cough, but every remedy (there are too many to remember) has at times made itself a reputation by being given at a fortunate period of the illness, or happening to suit the special patient. Textbooks twenty years old refer to the use of a serum, and when to-day a serum is used doctors do not agree that it is of value. One medical friend of mine, giving serum in early stages, said it acted "like magic," and another, giving serum as a routine measure, said he had little faith in it. Mothers and doctors both agree that cresolene vapour used continually in the eick child's room gives most relief in the paroxysmal cough. There are three distinct stages in the attack, and yntil the gasping cough of the second stage is reached diagnosis is not easy. The infection is taken through the air passages, and so early is the disease infectious that if you would avoid infection escape from the district where it is, und if it has already invaded your house, aim at complete isolation and thorough disinfection for the sake of others. Most children, if they do not escape infection, have the disease before they are eight years old, but I have read of very old people contracting it. In my experience there have been no fatal cases, and the worst seen in very early infancy. There is catarrh and moderate fever and soon a dry, noisy cough, which is worse at night, and if a typical case is soon followed by the gasping inspiration causing the characteristic "whoop." Five weeks' quarantine after that sound is last heard is the extreme of caution, but may be wise, for there is no set limit when the cough ceases. Much depends upon the weather and time of year- When the cough is at its worst the child anticipates each paroxysm with dread and clutches at anything near at hand to steady himself. There may be hemorrhage from the nose and other unpleasantnesses which render a draw-sheet and a loose nightgown necessary, and if the patient is very young a cot with a falling side, that the attendant may not have to get out of bed to do what is required. It is. the bronchial aftereffects which-give rise to most anxiety. In the early stages the room must be warm and well ventilated and the diet sustaining without bulk and frequently gi ven — as soon after a coughing attack as possible. Milk and barley water, milk and syphon water, white of egg and water, and meat jelly and meat juice. When the fever has passed more solid food may be given, but always little at a time. Meat juice is a great standby, given frequently with a little water. It is most important to watch the breathing and apply stimulating liniment to chest and ■ back and pads of cotton wool or a cotton wool jacket, if there are signs of bronchitis. A wide bandage of elastic flannel around the body, firmly applied, is a dbmfort during the coughing period. The nearness of a doctor with a family of his own is the mother's comfort. Hundreds of children are out and about during the whole period of .llness, and are no worse for it.