When an actual attack of croup of this kind comes on, and is severe, it
is usual to put the child in a warm bath. If the water is a little
below blood heat, and laved on the back, this will go far to relieve;
but it will not have a tenth of the effect which a cold towel will
have, if placed along the spine. It is indeed wonderful how spasms and
the various forms of cramp give way to this. When a little warm olive
oil is first rubbed on and then off, there is no danger of cold or of
any bad effect (_see_ Cramp in Stomach). If this croup is obstinate,
there may be more serious disease of the throat, and good medical
advice should be had.
Cures Losing their Effect.--After a fortnight's treatment often matters
seem to come to a standstill in a case, and then the attendants are apt
to despair. Such a state of things indicate only the need for some
change in treatment, or perhaps for a rest from treatment for some
days. Common sense must guide, and the case may be more keenly looked
into: it may have changed its character in the time that has passed,
and different treatment require to be given. It is well not to give up
until all has been tried which in any way seems likely to suit the
case. All the various articles bearing on it should be carefully read
and pondered, and no doubt the way to change the treatment will open
up. _See_ Changing Treatment.
Cures, as Self-Applied.--Often young people in lodgings are in
difficulty for want of some one to apply the necessary treatment in
their own case. It is often, however, possible to treat oneself quite
successfully by exercising care and common sense. Help should always be
got if possible, but where it cannot, it may be done without. In the
case of applying cold cloths to any part, when it is necessary to
change these frequently, a basin of cold water may stand by the bedside
so that the patient can wring out towels without getting up. A still
better plan is to have several towels wrung out to begin with--these
may be hung over a rail or chairs until required. When the first has
been heated it must be hung over the rail or chair so as to be as much
spread out as possible. Evaporation will then cool it sufficiently to
be used when its turn comes again. Each towel is to be treated in a
similar way in turn. Four towels will give an hour's cooling with very
little trouble in this way. So a bran poultice may be prepared and laid
on the bed, so that one can lie down on it, and with the cold towels
handy, as above, most effective treatment given. Common sense is the
guide here, as everywhere in our treatment, and a little thought will
solve difficulties at first apparently insoluble.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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