A Mother on Whooping Cough

New Zealand Listener, Volume 4, Issue 81, 10 January 1941, Page 46

A Mother on Whooping Cough

Dear Aunt Daisy, While listening to your session this morning I heard you mention our friend with the seven children all threatened with whooping cough. Well, I can assure her she has my deepest sympathy, as I had my five all down at once with the same thing. The turnip juice is just grand, but here is what I found helpful as regards their meals. I altered my kiddies’ mealtimes to suit the complaint, because I found that first thing in the mornings and then again when the evening air

was approaching, the children were most sick. So the first thing, I gave them fruit drinks-either orange or lemon, but preferably lemon, as it helps to cut the phlegm. Then at 8am, I gave them cereal and dry toast, with a glass of warmed milk, into which one half teaspoon of marmite had been added. I gave the hot meal at mid-day; the vegetables, and so on. Then at 4 p.m, I gave them their evening meal, and if they wanted anything before going to sleep they got a glass of a good milk prepara. tion, and believe me Aunt Daisy, they got over the whooping cough very well. It does help so much if they can keep the biggest part of their food in the stomach until it is digested. That is why I gave them the main meal at mid-day. Tell our friend not to give malt while the sickness persists, as it is money wasted-at least, that is what my doctor told me. But after the sickness stops, give them plenty of malt and cod liver oil, and keep on with the night-cap of hot milk. My five children had it in the winter, and were bad only for six weeks, although they had it severely. A lamp and a well-known inhalant helps the

breathing while they sleep.

Constant

Listener

(Wellington).