13.  Croup, Salt for.—­“Parched salt put on the throat hot.”  The parched salt acts the same as mustard plaster, by producing a redness on the throat.  Salt is something that we can always have on hand and by using this remedy we are always prepared for an emergency in case of croup.

14.  Croup, Castor Oil Breaks up.—­“Castor oil, given before bedtime, is good.  Dose.—­From one-half to one teaspoonful.  I have taken this when I was small.”  Castor oil is good when the bowels are constipated or the stomach is full.

15.  Croup, Coal Oil, Turpentine and Snuff, a Canadian Remedy for.—­“A little coal oil and a few drops of turpentine soaked up by snuff, and used as plaster.  Makes the child sneeze after a few minutes.  The poultice loosens the phlegm and the sneezing throws it off.”

[30 Mothers’ remedies]

Physicians’ treatment for Croup.—­Active. 1.  Dr. Douglas says wring cloths out of cold water and apply very freely to the throat, and recommends the following syrup: 

Syrup of Ipecac 3 fluid drams
Hive Syrup 4 fluid drams
Water 1-1/2 ounces

Mix, and give one teaspoonful every half hour until the child vomits, then repeat the dose every two hours as needed.

2.  Place the child in a hot bath, wrap hot or cold cloths about the throat and put one teaspoonful of common soda in a glass of water and give one teaspoonful every fifteen minutes until relieved.

3.  Dr. Holt of New York, says.—­The room should be very warm, hot cloths or poultices should be applied over the throat (Adam’s apple and below) and either a croup kettle or ordinary teakettle kept boiling in the room.  This is more efficacious if the child is placed in a tent made by a raised umbrella or some like method with a sheet thrown over it, and the steam introduced beneath the tent.  If the symptoms’ are urgent ten drops of the syrup of ipecac should be given every fifteen minutes until free vomiting occurs.

Whenever the symptoms reach a point where the breathing becomes difficult, a doctor should be summoned without delay.  It might be some other disease.

4.  Home Treatment.—­One-half teaspoonful of alum mixed with molasses or honey will produce vomiting and help.  This is very good when the croup is due to indigestion.  At the same time, fry onions in lard and put them on the neck in front, or hot wet cloths may do.  The alum can be given once or twice if necessary, half an hour apart, about in one-fourth or one-half the first dose.

5.  Goose grease, or lard dissolved, and enough given to produce vomiting will do good.  This idea is not only to cause vomiting but to cause a sick feeling after and at that time, which will cause the spasms to relax.  A very good thing to do in addition is to put the child’s feet in hot water, while local applications are put on the throat.  These things tend to relax the muscles and this relieves the spasm.