Scientific.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 372, 25 June 1903, Page 7

Scientific.

WHOOPING COUGH. HE danger in this disorder ie almost always directly in proportion to the infanoy of the, sufferer. The older he is the more able will he be to withstand 'the attack. • At .any age there is a risk 'of , pneumonia complicating whooping cough. We can say' with certainty only that the disease.is spread.by the atmosphere. If there is a specific microbe it has eluded the scientific detectives. Aa a rule, one attack protects frcm further invasion. All' experience shows that whooping cough is spread from, an existing source of infection, thus agreeing with diseases of proven bacterial origin. It never arises, from conditions purely internal.

la it a Nervous Diboudbk? It is usually bo styled, but the assertion must be qualified. At the commencement there is a catarrh of the throat,' and sometimes of the bronchial tubes. At this stage there is ho affection of the nervous system. During the catarrhal period there is an ordinary cough. The cough gradually; changes its character, until it becomes the? well-kpown f whoop ' that has ] given a name to the disorder. - Nov the' nervous system is most certainly involved. It comes on ■in paroxysms. The child holds his breath for several seconds, and then takes a long inspiration, which produces the characteristic noise.""

The attacks, are distressing. Often the little sufferer appears in danger of suffocating. Exhaustion follows, sometimes accompanied by profuse perspiration. Vomiting is a common result of the coughing. The catarrhal stage may last fourteen days or so. The paroxysmal stage—that, is, the one covering the whooping cough proper-—is seldom shorter than three weeks. Six weeks is a more i usual duration, but it is sometimes extended over many months* ] There is every probability that such prolongation is due, to secondary catarrhal attacks. . a Tbeatment. :• .^--' '"" If whooping cough is known to be in the local school, or neighbourhood, the mother should regard a sore throat, or even mere huskiness, with suspicion. .It is to abort cases in their early stage .by giving warm antiseptic -gargles, and by Bpxaying the throat with similar agents." ■'..' •=■ 9»**..vl ; ~. ' In dealing with children of any aa;e we must exercise due care that the ' remedies intended to ' produce benefit locally, are not so used as to .occasion systematic.poisoning.' This has. frequently occurred. The risk, similar drugs being used,, is always greater with a spraying than with a gargle. A child can. be taught not i to swallow a gargle,' but it ia difficult 'for anyone, whether adult or juvenile, to keep sprayed fluid from trickling into the commencement of the gullet, and the limitation may render bw«l- - almost automatic. It may be well to keep in , mind this fact: while the mouth is open swallowing is nearly impossible. Chlorate* of potash is not so harmless that 4t can be taken freely. Permanganate of potash, boric acid, carbolic acid, and similar popular agents, will respond to liberties with violence. Hence the wisdom of employing a considerable number of remedies in turn.. • Gargles and Sprays.

The least dangerous, next to para water, is absolution of glycerine. If swallowed, it will only do good. Ten per cent, is a fair strength. But oxide, of ■hydrogen is not, harmful if used in moderation; two teaspoon'* ful& added to one wineglass of water may be employed onoe \ daily as » gargle, or in divided quantities aa a spray. One grain of permanganate of potash to the ounce of water makes a.good application. Its drawb rack is a very disagreeable flavour* Chlorate of potash ban be'used in the forms with, which we are. dealing, or as a lozenge, . v , r . The foregoing treatment is germicidal. If there are.no germa present it cannot work harm. Essentially it is preventive. - -v The popular belief that the' child does best out of doors is true enough, provided the weather is favourable. Only when, the air is balmy should the patient ait or lounge about, Too often tW : outdoor, treatment is a means by which the sufferer ia made i wretched and his progress ie retarded. | *mTb* -■■>■- ■■■•!: \i svi I 'The fapour of creosote, and that of V carbolid : acidy - s are c very* useful. They cfcn be easily obtari "" kettle of saucepan containing a little water, and heating to the boiling