The paroxysm terminates with one or two long inspirations, attended
with that peculiar noise, or "whoop," from which the disease has
derived its designation.
Sometimes the fit of coughing is interrupted for a minute or two, so
that a little rest is obtained; and is then succeeded by another fit
of coughing and another hoop, until after a succession of these actions
the paroxysm terminates by vomiting, or a discharge of mucus from the
lungs, or both.
The disease having continued at its height for two or three weeks, it
begins naturally to decline; the paroxysms become less frequent and
violent; the expectoration increases; the cough loses its
characteristic hoop, and gradually wears away altogether; until at
length, in two or three months from the first onset of the disease, the
child is restored to perfect health. Sometimes, however, particularly
in the autumn, and at other seasons on the occurrence of easterly
winds, the paroxysms of cough will return,--it will assume its
spasmodic character, and be accompanied with the "whoop," after a
month, or even two or three months, of perfect and apparent recovery.
Errors in diet will sometimes alone have a similar effect.
It is a disease which usually occurs during childhood, rarely affects
the same individual twice, and is seldom seen in the very young infant.
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