The breathing of a child in health is formed of equal inspirations and
expiration, and it breathes quietly, regularly, inaudibly, and without
effort. But let inflammation of the air-tubes or lungs take place, and
the inspiration will become in a few hours so quickened and hurried, and
perhaps audible, that the attention has only to be directed to the
circumstance to be at once perceived.
Now all changes which occur in the breathing
from its healthy standard, however slight the shades of difference may
be, it is most important should be noticed early. For many of the
complaints in the chest, although very formidable in their character, if
only seen early by the medical man, may be arrested in their progress;
but otherwise, may be beyond the control of art. A parent, therefore,
should make herself familiar with the breathing of her child in health,
and she will readily mark any change which may arise.
Of
cough I should not have said any thing in this chapter, as it can never
fail to be noticed, except that it is highly necessary to throw out one
caution. Whenever a child has the symptoms of a common cold, attended
by hoarseness and a rough cough, always look upon it with suspicion, and
never neglect seeking a medical opinion. Hoarseness does not usually
attend a common cold in the child, and these symptoms may
be
premonitory of an attack of "croup;" a disease excessively rapid in its
progress, and which, from the importance of the parts affected, carrying
on, as they do, a function indispensably necessary to life, requires
the most prompt and decided reatment.
The following observations
of Dr. Cheyne are so strikingly illustrative, and so pertinent to my
present purpose, that I cannot refrain inserting them:--"In the approach
of an attack of croup, which almost always takes place in the evening,
probably of a day during which the child has been exposed to the
weather, and often after Catarrhal symptoms have existed for several
days, he may be observed to be excited, in variable spirits, more ready
than usual to laugh than to cry, a little flushed, occasionally
coughing, the sound of the cough being rough, like that which attends the catarrhal stage of the measles. More generally, however, the patient has been for some time in
bed
and asleep, before the nature of the disease with which he is
threatened is apparent; then, perhaps, without waking, he gives a very
unusual cough, well known to any one who has witnessed an attack of the
croup; it rings as if the child had coughed through a brazen trumpet; it
is truly a tussis clangosa; it penetrates the walls and floor of the
apartment, and startles the experienced mother,--'Oh! I am afraid our
child is taking the croup!' She runs to the nursery, finds her child
sleeping
softly, and hopes she may be mistaken. But remaining to tend him,
before long the ringing cough, a single cough, is repeated again and
again; the patient is roused, and then a new symptom is remarked; the
sound of his voice is changed; puling, and as if the throat were
swelled, it corresponds with the cough," etc.
How important that a mother should be acquainted with the above signs
of one of the most terrific complaints to which childhood is subject;
for, if she only send for medical assistance during its first stage,
the treatment will be almost invariably successful; whereas, if this
"golden opportunity" is lost, this disease will seldom yield to the
influence of measures, however wisely chosen or perseveringly employed.
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Tuesday, November 17, 2009
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