When the violence of the symptoms begins to subside, a sharper gargle becomes necessary; for this purpose the following is recommended:—Take of infusion of red roses, seven ounces; honey of roses, one ounce; diluted sulphuric acid, twenty drops. Mix them together.
Throughout the course of this disease, keep the bowels open with mild purgatives or laxative injections. When the swelling of the tonsils comes on rapidly, send instantly for a surgeon.
859. Whooping Cough.—This is a violent, convulsive cough, attended at first with slight febrile symptoms. Its shortest duration is three weeks; during this time, the symptoms may be rendered milder, or more aggravated, by the mode of treatment.
During the first three or four weeks, keep the child or patient in an uniform degree of temperature; if possible, never below 64 degrees of Fahrenheit's scale. The diet should be light, chiefly bread, milk, and vegetables with butter. Rice or Indian puddings, with plenty of molasses, are good food for children in this disease. If the cough is very violent, and the phlegm hard in the throat, a gentle emetic of ipecacuanha, or some preparation of antimony, should be given every second or third morning, to clear the stomach from the mucus which, in this cough, is constantly secreted. By these means, the violence of the disease will soon be overcome; whereas, by an exposure to cold air, and neglecting all precautions, you may aggravate and continue the cough for months. In the summer, change of air is one of the best remedies; and be sure to avoid whatever has a tendency to irritate the throat, or excite the action of the heart. In this, as in every other disease, the state of the bowels should be carefully attended to. A mild aperient is sometimes necessary.
860. Colds.—The best preventive of colds, is to wash your children every day thoroughly in cold water, if they are strong enough to bear it; if not, add a little warm water, and rub the skin dry. This keeps the pores open. If they do take cold, give them a warm bath as soon as possible; if that is not convenient, bathe the feet and hands, and wash the body all over in warm water; then give a cup of warm tea, and cover the patient in bed.
861.—If a Sore Throat follow, take a tumbler of molasses and water, half-and-half, when going to bed; and rub the throat with a mixture of sweet or goose-oil and spirits of turpentine; then wear flannel round it.