Spasmodic laryngitis should not be confused with laryngismus stridulus, membraneous croup or with acute catarrhal laryngitis. According to Holt and Howland laryngismus stridulus occurs only in infants, and there is not only stridulous breathing, but also periods of complete arrest of respiration.
Major Adjustment
Lower cervical and S.P. is the combination major to use in this incoördination. Under adjustments results are often obtained immediately with no recurrence of the attack the following night.
In chronic cases enlarged tonsils and adenoid growths may be found. This, however, will not change the adjustment or the combination, but will increase the amount of time required to completely correct the condition so far as the chronicity is concerned. It will not interfere with the relief from acute attacks.
LARYNGISMUS STRIDULUS
This incoördination, according to Holt and Howland, occurs only in infancy. It is characterized by muscular spasms in the larynx with marked dyspnea.
Symptoms
There may be complete arrest of respiration for short periods, during which there will also be a marked lack of oxygenation of the blood. There may be recurrence of these attacks several times a day, and unless adjustments are given may last for weeks. There may be general convulsions and carpopedal spasms which are spasmodic contractions of the joints of the hands and feet. During the periods of arrested breathing the face becomes cyanosed. This terminates with a slight cough or a high-pitched crowing sound produced by the sudden inspiration of air. Because of this it is sometimes called “child crowing.” It is also known as thymic asthma and spasms of the glottis.
Major Adjustment
The combination major is lower cervical and stomach place. Under adjustments results are obtained in a very short time, in many cases almost instantly.