The infectious property diminishes as the disease declines.
MATERNAL MANAGEMENT.--In the mild and simple form of this disease the
medical treatment is one rather of prevention than cure, and the
maternal management consists in assisting, by watchfulness and care,
the fulfilment of this design.
In these slighter cases little more is required of the mother during
the Jirst stage of the disorder (that is, before the cough becomes
spasmodic) than attention to diet, regimen, and the excretions. The
diet should be farinaceous, with milk, or as may be otherwise directed.
The child must be confined to a mild equable temperature; in fact, to
his apartment. It is a popular error to suppose that at this time
change of air is beneficial to the disease: at a later period it
certainly is so, but now injurious, and attended with great risk.
Should the weather be cold, the little patient must be warmly clad, and
flannel worn next the skin; this latter precaution should always be
taken in the winter, spring, and autumn. Purgatives and other medicines
will be required, and ordered by the medical attendant; the chief
attention, however, of the parent must be directed to any change she
may observe in the symptoms, breathing, etc.; she must be all on the
alert to notice the first signs of local inflammation.
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