HOOPING-COUGH, OR CHIN-COUGH.
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taken at bed-time, or when the cough is most troublesome.* Im-mersing the feet and hands in warm water will often appease theviolence of a nervous cough.
When a cough is only a symptom of some other malady, it is invain to attempt to remove it without first curing the disease fromwhich it proceeds. Thus, when a cough is occasioned by teething,keeping the body open, scarifying the gums, or whatever facilitatesthe cutting of the teeth, likewise appeases the cough. In likemanner, when tcvrms occasion a cough, such medicines as removethese vermin will generally cure the cough ; as bitter purgatives,oily clysters, and such like.
Women, during the last month of pregnancy are often greatlyafflicted with a cough, which is generally relieved by bleeding, andkeeping the body gently open. They ought to avoid all flatulentfood, and to wear a loose easy dress.
A cough is not only a symptom, but is often likewise the fore-runner of diseases. Thus, the gout is frequently ushered in by avery troublesome cough, which affects the patient for some daysbefore the coming on of the fit. This cough is generally removedby a paroxysm of the gout, which should therefore be promoted,by keeping the extremities warm, drinking warm liquors, andbathing the feet and legs frequently in lukewarm water.
Hooping-cough, or CiiiPf-coi/GH. (Pertussis.)
This cough seldom affects adults, but proves often fatal to chil-dren. Such children as live upon thin watery diet, who breatheunwholesome air, and have too little exercise, are most liable tothis disease, and generally suffer most from it.
The chin-cough is so well known, even to nurses, that descrip-tion of it is unnecessary. Whatever hurts the digestion, obstructsthe perspiration, or relaxes the solids, disposes to this disease;consequently its cure must depend upon cleansing and strengthen-ing the stomach, bracing the solids, and at the same time promot-ing perspiration, and the different secretions.
The diet must be light, and of easy digestion; for children, goodbread made into pap or pudding, chicken-broth, with other lightspoon-meats, are proper ; but those who are farther advanced maybe allowed sago-gruel, and if the fever be not high, a little boiledchicken, or other white meats. The drink may be hyssop, orpenny-royal tea, sweetened with honey or sugar-candy, small wine-whey, or, if the patient be weak, he may sometimes be allowed alittle negus.
One of the most effectual remedies in the chin-cough is changeof air. This often removes the malady, even when the changeseems to be from a purer to a less wholesome air. This may insome measure depend on the patient's being removed from theplace where the infection prevails. Most of the diseases of chil-dren are infectious; nor is it at all uncommon to find the chin-cough prevailing in one town or village, when another at a verysmall distance is quite free from it. But whatever be the cause,
•Take Oxymel of Squills,Paregoric Elixir,
è oz -
2 drs.
Of which a table-spoonful may be takenthree or four times a-day.