If in a day or two the inflammation still continue violent, let another Tela Vesicatoria be applied, not over the old blister, but let a narrow strip of it be applied on each side of the old blister, and managed in the same manner as before directed.
I cannot speak too highly of Smith's Tela Vesicatoria. It has, in my hands, through God's blessing, saved the lives of scores of children. It is far, very far, superior to the old fashioned blistering plaster. It seldom, if the above rules be strictly observed, fails to rise, it gives much less pain than the common blister, when it has had the desired effect, it readily heals, which cannot always be said of the common fly blister, more especially with children.
My sheet anchors, then, in the inflammation of the lungs of children are, Ipecacuanha Wine and Smith's Tela Vesicatoria. Let the greatest care, as I before advised, be observed in obtaining the Ipecacuanha Wine genuine and good. This can be only depended upon by having the medicine from a highly respectable chemist, Ipecacuanha Wine, when genuine and good, is, in many children's diseases, is one of the most valuable of medincies.
What, in a case of inflammation of the lungs, NOT to do—Do not, on any account, apply leeches. They draw out the life of the child, but not his disease. Avoid—emphatically let me say so—giving emetic tartar It is one of the most lowering and death-dealing medicines that can be administered either to an infant or to a child! If you wish to try the effect of it, take a dose yourself, and I am quite sure that you will then never be inclined to poison a child with such an abominable preparation! In olden times—many, many years ago—I myself gave it in inflammation of the lungs, and lost many children! Since leaving it off, the recoveries of patients by the Ipecacuanha treatment, combined with the external application of Smith's Tela Vesicatoria, have been in many cases marvellous. Avoid broths and wine, and all stimulants. Do not put the child into a warm bath, it only oppresses the already oppressed breathing. Moreover, after he is out of the bath, it causes a larger quantity of blood to rush back to the lungs and to the bronchial tubes, and thus feeds the inflammation. Do not, by a large fire, keep the temperature of the room high. A small fire, in the winter time, encourages ventilation, and in such a case does good. When the little patient is on the mother's or on the nurse's lap, do not burden him either with a heavy blanket or with a thick shawl. Either a thin child's blanket, or a thin woollen shawl, in addition to his usual nightgown, is all the clothing necessary.
205. Is Bronchitis a more frequent disease than Inflammation of the Lungs? Which is the most dangerous? What are the symptoms of Bronchitis?
Bronchitis is a much more frequent disease than inflammation of the lungs, indeed, it is one of the most common complaints both of infants and of children, while inflammation of the lungs is comparatively a rare disease. Bronchitis is not nearly such a dangerous disease as inflammation of the lungs.
The symptoms—The child for the first few days labours under symptoms of a heavy cold, he has not his usual spirits. In two or three days, instead of the cold leaving him, it becomes more confirmed, he is now really poorly, fretful, and feverish, his breathing becomes rather hurried and oppressed, his cough is hard and dry, and loud, he wheezes, and if you put your ear to his naked back, between his shoulder blades, you will hear the wheezing more distinctly. If at the breast, he does not suck with his usual avidity; the cough, notwithstanding the breast is a great comfort to him, compels him frequently to loose the nipple; his urine is scanty, and rather high-coloured, staining the napkin, and smelling strongly. He is generally worse at night.
Well, then, remember if the child be feverish, if he have symptoms of a heavy cold, if he have an oppression of breathing, if he wheeze, and if he have a tight, dry, noisy cough, you may be satisfied that he has an attack of bronchitis.
206. How can I distinguish between Bronchitis and Inflammation of the Lungs?
In bronchitis the skin is warm, but moist; in inflammation of the lungs it is hot and dry: in bronchitis the mouth is warmer than usual, but moist; in inflammation of the lungs it is burning hot: in bronchitis the breathing is rather hurried, and attended with wheezing; in inflammation of the lungs it is very short and panting, and is unaccompanied with wheezing, although occasionally a very slight crackling sound might be heard: in bronchitis the cough is long and noisy; in inflammation of the lungs it is short and feeble: in bronchitis the child is cross and fretful; in inflammation of the lungs he is dull and heavy, and his countenance denotes distress.