WHOOPING COUGH
In the early months of life it is probable that whooping cough is one of, if not the most fatal of the diseases to which the infant is subjected. The period of incubation of this disease is from one to two weeks, the cough at first not appearing different from those accompanying colds of all sorts. However, in from ten days to two weeks the characteristic whoop occurs, differentiating this disease from all others. The symptoms aside from the whoop are the difficulty of taking breath and the great prostration after the paroxysm and the frequent vomiting of the food, brought on by the violent coughing.
In very young infants the whoop does not always occur. But the child coughs and holds its breath until it is blue in the face. At times young babies may have convulsions. The so-called spasmodic stage, during which the child may have from a few to a great number of paroxysms of coughing a day, lasts from a month to six weeks, and in some cases even longer. As the disease declines the cough gradually disappears and the child appears to be suffering with ordinary bronchitis. The characteristic whoop may return at any time during the ensuing six months or year if the child has an attack of bronchitis and is inclined to cough.
Complications and After-effects.—The complications and after-effects of whooping cough give it a serious character. Hemorrhage may occur from the nose. According to Ruhräh: “Paralysis may follow from meningeal hemorrhage, broncho-pneumonia, acute emphysema, and collapse of the lung may occur. Diarrhea, convulsions, and albuminuria are also met with. Tuberculosis and chronic bronchitis may follow.”[90]
Dietetic Treatment.—The diet plays an important part in whooping cough. The serious complications and after-effects of this disease upon children necessitate a rigid observance of dietary laws. With infants it is always best, when it is possible, to give breast milk. As this is the natural food it requires less effort on the part of the digestive apparatus to become available. It has been proved that even during the time when the baby is nursing the milk is projected in spurts into the duodenum without waiting to be attacked by digestive enzymes in the stomach, and for this reason the breast-fed infant is more apt to be efficiently nourished than the artificially fed baby, who loses his dinner by vomiting before absorption has had a chance to occur.
Diet under Ten Years of Age.—For children under ten years, a fluid diet is necessary, at least in the beginning of the disease while there is a fever, and later, if the vomiting is persistent. Milk, buttermilk, koumiss, broths, albuminized beverages, and cereal gruels such as barley and oatmeal gruel and arrowroot gruel can be given. Later, if the fluids are retained, cream of wheat, farina, junket, soft custards, and soft-cooked eggs may be added. Care must be taken in giving toast, unless it is softened with milk or broth, for the crumbs may bring on a paroxysm of coughing and vomiting. The best results in feeding with whooping cough are obtained by giving the food in small quantities and oftener. A few ounces given every two hours are less apt to be vomited than a larger quantity. It is also easier for the child to take the small amount after an attack of coughing and vomiting than it would be for him to attempt a larger meal.
Use of Stimulants.—In many cases where weakness is great, it has been found advisable to add some stimulant to the diet. With infants this is best given in albumen water, a small amount of good brandy acting better than other stimulants. With young children some of the predigested liquid beef preparations, such as liquid peptonoids, are found valuable. These foods are given alternately with the other fluid foods.
Hygiene and Sanitation.—Infants and children suffering with whooping cough require plenty of fresh air and sunshine. They must be kept out of doors as much as possible and sleep in well-ventilated rooms or sleeping porches. They must be protected from drafts and excitement, and never allowed to become over-tired. In this way the anemia which so often results from prolonged attacks of whooping cough is in a measure held in check. At times it is found necessary to give some kind of an iron tonic, but this comes under the jurisdiction of the physician instead of the nurse. When bad effects do occur in spite of all the care exercised during the attack of whooping cough, they must be accorded the treatment especially devised to meet the situation.