A treatise on the stomach and its trials / by J.C. Eno.

  • Eno, J. C.
Date:
[1870?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A treatise on the stomach and its trials / by J.C. Eno. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    80/82 (page 78)
    First soak the part with the lotion and allow it to dry on, then rob in a little of the ointment. This to be done night and morning. Wash the part frequently with soap and warm water, and if the disease be on the head, keep the hair cut close round the part. Anything that has come in contact with the part must he either well washed or hot-ironed, as the disease is very contagious. Be particular in this respect. It is a good general rule to keep separate hair-brushes, combs, towels, and caps for the child who is subject to any suspicious eruption about the head. HOOPING COUGH. This complaint as a general rule may be said to commence with the symptoms of a common cold. These symptoms continue from five to fifteen days ; at the end of that time the cough usually changes its character, and assumes the convulsive form which distinguishes this troublesome disorder. The cough is always most severe at night, and the first sign of improve • ment is manifested by a decrease in these nocturnal paroxysms. Then the paroxysms become altogether less severe and less frequent, until at the end of three weeks, or perhaps even earlier, no symptom remains of the disease. Under the influence of exposure to cold or of improper food, how¬ ever, the cough may return with all its symptoms, so that for some weeks after apparent recovery great care will be needed. Hooping cough is very contagious, and from all we know, appears to depend upon some peculiar poison communicated through the atmosphere. It is a disease which usually occurs once during childhood, and rarely affects the same individual twice. In reference to the probable result of the disease, wrhen it occurs in its mild and simple form, in a healthy child, the termination is usually favourable. When complications arise, the case should always be placed under the care of a qualified medical man. In mild cases very little man¬ agement is required. The patient should be warmly clothed, and kept in¬ doors, the room to be kept at an even temperature night and dajqfrom 65° to 70° Fahrenheit (have a thermometer in the room), and fed with light nourishing food, such as newT-laid eggs lightly boiled, milk, or light suet puddings. The greatest care should be taken to prevent the child taking cold, and he should be encouraged to drink freely of some sweet mucilaginous fluid, such as black-currant cordial. Apple, currant, raspbeny, and tama¬ rind cordial is made by pouring boiling water over the pulp of the fruit or jelly, letting it stand for about half an hour, and then straining and sweetening, if necessary, to taste. No physic to be given unless the bowels are confined, when a dose of castor oil will be useful. The spine and chest must be well rubbed with the Antispasmodic Liniment as given below, but previous to using the Liniment sponge the chest and spine with cold salt water. Where the secretion from the bronchial tubes is excessive, and the child is strong, an emetic may be given in the shape of Ipecacuanha Wine in sweetened water, and repeated until vomiting is produced. When the disease becomes chronic, a cure may be effected by change of air, particu¬ larly sea air, if the weather is warm. Should the child be weakly, give cod- liver oil. See page 50. In all cases watch the skin; should it be dry and hot, give a blanket bath. See directions, page 53. To describe this peculiar disease fully, with all the remedies that have been prescribed for its cure, would require a book not far short of fifty pages, and in the end