Mix thoroughly.

Always shake well before using.

Give 10 to 15 drops in cold coffee, once or twice a day.

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HOW TO TREAT CROUP

SPASMODIC AND TRUE.

SPASMODIC CROUP.

DEFINITION.—­A spasmodic closure of the glottis which interferes with respiration.  Comes on suddenly and usually at night, without much warning.  It is a purely nervous disease and may be caused by reflex nervous irritation from undigested food in the stomach or bowels, irritation of the gums in dentition, or from brain disorders.

SYMPTOMS.—­Child awakens suddenly at night with suspended respiration or very difficult breathing.  After a few respirations it cries out and then falls asleep quietly, or the attack may last an hour or so, when the face will become pale, veins in the neck become turgid and feet and hands contract spasmodically.  In mild cases the attacks will only occur once during the night, but may recur on the following night.

HOME TREATMENT.—­During the paroxysm dashing cold water in the face is a common remedy.  To terminate the spasm and prevent its return give teaspoonful doses of powdered alum.  The syrup of squills is an old and tried remedy; give in 15 to 30 drop doses and repeat every 10 minutes till vomiting occurs.  Seek out the cause if possible and remove it.  It commonly lies in some derangement of the digestive organs.

TRUE CROUP.

DEFINITION.—­This disease consists of an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the upper air passages, particularly of the larynx with the formation of a false membrane that obstructs the breathing.  The disease is most common in children between the ages of two and seven years, but it may occur at any age.

SYMPTOMS.—­Usually there are symptoms of a cold for three or four days previous to the attack.  Marked hoarseness is observed in the evening with a ringing metallic cough and some difficulty in breathing, which increases and becomes somewhat paroxysmal till the face which was at first flushed becomes pallid and ashy in hue.  The efforts at breathing become very great, and unless the child gets speedy relief it will die of suffocation.

HOME TREATMENT.—­Patient should be kept in a moist warm atmosphere, and cold water applied to the neck early in the attack.  As soon as the breathing seems difficult give a half to one teaspoonful of powdered alum in honey to produce vomiting and apply the remedies suggested in the treatment of diphtheria, as the two diseases are thought by many to be identical.  When the breathing becomes labored and face becomes pallid, the condition is very serious and a physician should be called without delay.

SCARLET FEVER.

DEFINITION.—­An eruptive contagious disease, brought about by direct exposure to those having the disease, or by contact with clothing, dishes, or other articles, used about the sick room.