A text-book on hygiene and pediatrics from a chiropractic standpoint

by J. H. Craven

Children are likely to acquire the habit of putting small objects, such as buttons, small playthings, and even pins, into their mouths. If the child becomes frightened, tries to cough, laugh or cry that which is held in the mouth at the time is likely to be drawn into the larynx and may lodge there, especially if it is sharp or has rough edges. If, however, it is a smooth object, such as a button or bean, it is more likely to pass into the bronchi, usually the right one.

When the foreign body enters the larynx there will be violent coughing which may result in the expulsion of the object. If it is not immediately expelled but becomes impacted in the larynx there will be marked dyspnea and even death from suffocation.

When the foreign body passes the larynx it will lodge, usually, in one of the bronchi or at the bifurcation of the trachea. If this occurs there will be localized pain over the region of the foreign body. There is a cough and may be spitting of blood. The irritation will result in a local inflammation; this may result in the formation of an abscess which may prove serious. In some cases following such conditions there is prolonged illness resembling pulmonary tuberculosis during which there may be sufficient relaxation in the muscular walls of the bronchi to permit the foreign body being expelled during a paroxysm of coughing. This has occurred in many cases. Following the expulsion of the foreign body the patient recovers very rapidly. In some cases there are repeated attacks of pneumonia. The health of the child becomes greatly impaired and thus he becomes easily susceptible to the acute attacks which may prove too much for the adaptability of the body.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a foreign body in the larynx are characteristic and consists in the very sudden appearance of the attacks and also in the severity of the symptoms. There will be a history of something having been in the child’s mouth, or the possibility of the child having placed some object in his mouth. A metallic body can always be located by means of the X-ray.

Ordinarily these cases do not come within the scope of Chiropractic. There might be a subluxation which would prevent adaptation from taking place, and if so, an adjustment might result in a relaxation of the muscles to such an extent that the foreign body could be expelled by coughing. These cases are traumatic and should be taken to a competent surgeon at once.

EDEMA OF THE GLOTTIS

This is a dropsical condition of the glottis and is very rare in infancy or early childhood. Usually there will be other symptoms indicating abnormality of the kidneys.

Symptoms

If the edema is great enough there will be attacks of suffocation because of the interference with inspiration. There is very little if any interference with expiration. There may be hoarseness, painful and difficult swallowing and a cough. The symptoms may come on suddenly and develop very rapidly and soon result fatally.