Symptoms

This is a convulsion or spasmodic affection of the upper part of the windpipe, causing sudden difficulty of breathing, and accompanied with a shrill crowing noise resembling that of a young bantam cock. The paroxysm comes on almost instantaneously, very often after a fit of crying; or the child will start up out of its sleep and be seized with the crowing noise. It has been known to be suddenly fatal without the slightest warning. This affection occurs in weakly children, and in apparantly fine healthy children of a strumous constitution. The paroxysm may be excited by any circumstances that depress the constitutional powers or derange the digestive organs. Thus teething, or injudicious feeding, may excite one.

Child-crowing is very often confounded with croup, but it is a distinct affection, more alarming in its character, and requires distinctive treatment. Croup is a catarrhal affection in the first instance, and is frequently preceded by the symptoms of a cold on the chest. The paroxysm of croup, although it may be sometimes of a spasmodic character, does not as suddenly pass off as does child-crowing, but leaves a rough, difficult kind of breathing and hoarse, croupy cough after it. The croupy sound is rather of a rough sawing character, and accompanies both inspiration and expira-ration. Child-crowing occurs only in inspiration.

Treatment

Whatever treatment is to be adopted must be put in force in the intervals of the attacks, as there is no time then to do anything more than to sprinkle cold water on the face.

If the paroxysms recur at short intervals, four or five drops of chloric ether should be given every two or three hours. If there be any known disordered function, it should be corrected if possible. Thus, if the bowels be costive, some mild aperient should be administered. If the gums are full and swollen from teeth-ing they should be lanced. The condition of the general health is, however, by far the most important indication to be followed, and herein is the reason why it is specially necessary to be clear in distinguishing the disease from croup, because the treatment of the two is opposite.

In child-crowing, the child should be out of doors as much as the weather will permit, and the higher and drier the situation the better. The most nourishing diet, consistent with a care not to overload the stomach, should be allowed.

The following should be given: - Take of Syrup of bromide of iron, 1/2 oz.

Simple syrup, 1 1/2 oz. Mix. Give a teaspoonful three times a day to a child over two years of age. and half the quantity to one under that age.