Make a mixture. One or two tea spoonfuls to be given every five minutes, until free vomiting be excited, first well shaking the bottle.
After the vomiting, place the child for a quarter of an hour in a warm bath. [Footnote: See "Warm Baths"—directions and precautions to be observed.] When out of the bath give him small doses of Ipecacuanha Wine every two or three hours. The following is a palatable form for the mixture—
Take of—Wine of Ipecacuanha, three drachms;
Simple syrup, three drachms,
Water, six drachms
Make a Mixture. A tea-spoonful to be taken every two or three hours.
But remember the emetic which is given at first is pure Ipecacuanha
Wine, without a drop of either water or of syrup.
A large sponge dipped out of very hot water, and applied to the throat, and frequently renewed, oftentimes affords great relief in croup, and ought during the time the emetic is being administered in all cases to be adopted.
If it be a severe case of croup, and does not in the course of two hours yield to the free exhibition of the Ipecacuanha Emetic, apply a narrow strip of Smith's Tela Vesicularia to the throat, prepared in the same way as for a case of inflammation of the lungs (see the Conversation on the treatment of inflammation of the lungs). With this only difference, let it be a narrower strip, only one-half the width there recommended, and apply it to the throat instead of to the chest. If a child has a very short, fat neck, there may not be room for the Tela, then you ought to apply it to the upper part of the chest—just under the collar-bones.
Let it be understood, the the Tela Vesicularia is not a severe remedy, that the Tela produces very little pain—not nearly so much as the application of leeches; although, in its action, it is much more beneficial, and is not nearly so weakening to the system.
Keep the child from all stimulants; let him live on a low diet, such as milk and water, toast and water, arrowroot, &c.; and let the room be, if practicable, at a temperate heat—60 deg. Fahrenheit, and be well ventilated.
So you see that the treatment of croup is very simple, and the the plan might be carried out by an intelligent mother. Notwithstanding which, it is your duty, where practicable, to send, at the very onset of the disease, for a medical man.