The maternal management of children, in health and diseaseBull, Thomas
Science
The maternal management of children, in health and disease
Bull, Thomas
Child care
"In the approach of an attack of croup, which almost always takes
place in the evening, probably of a day during which the child has been
exposed to the weather, and often after catarrhal symptoms have existed
for several days, he may be observed to be excited; in variable
spirits; more ready than usual to laugh or to cry; a little flushed;
occasionally coughing, the sound of the cough being rough, like that
which attends the catarrhal stage of the measles. More generally,
however, the patient has been for some time in bed and asleep before
the nature of the disease with which he is threatened is apparent;
then, perhaps without awaking, he gives a very unusual cough, well
known to any one who has witnessed an attack of the croup: it rings as
if the child had coughed through a brazen trumpet; it is truly a tussis
clangosa; it penetrates the walls and floors of the apartment, and
startles the experienced mother--'Oh, I am afraid our child is taking
the croup!' She runs to the nursery, finds her child sleeping softly,
and hopes she may be mistaken. But remaining to tend him, before long
the ringing cough, a single cough, is repeated again and again. The
patient is roused, and then a new symptom is remarked: the sound of his
voice is changed; puling, and as if the throat were swelled, it
corresponds with the cough; the cough is succeeded by a sonorous
inspiration, not unlike the kink in hooping-cough--a crowing noise, not
so shrill, but similar to the sound emitted by a chicken in the pip
(which in some parts of Scotland is called the roup, hence probably the
word croup); the breathing, hitherto inaudible and natural, now becomes
audible, and a little slower than common, as if the breath were forced
through a narrow tube; and this is more remarkable as the disease
advances," etc. etc.
It is unnecessary for me to add to the foregoing picture.
MATERNAL MANAGEMENT.--Having early obtained medical assistance attend
with the strictest obedience to the directions given. And in this
disease, more than any other, it is particularly important that the
mother should give her personal superintendence; for the activity of
the progress of the disease leaves no time to retrieve errors or atone
for neglect. The practitioner may be prompt and decided in the measures
he prescribes, but they will avail little, unless they are as promptly
and decidedly acted upon.
The parent will have her reward; for, if timely aid has been afforded,
and adequate means used, the event will be almost invariably favourable.
ITS PREVENTION.--Croup, when it has once attacked a child, is very
liable to recur at any period before the thirteenth or fourteenth year
of age. It may even do so several times, and after intervals of various
duration. It is very desirable, therefore, that a parent should be
acquainted with the means of prevention.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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