CROUP, a severe and fatal disease of infants, known from a remote period, but first scientifically described by Dr. Francis Home in 1765, as a suffocative affection of the breathing, depending upon the formation of a false membrane or fibrinous deposit on the mucous membrane of the windpipe or larynx (q.v.). It is proper to remark that the inflammatory disease described by Home has been frequently confounded with a purely spasmodic affection of the larynx, the asthma of Millar, or laryngismus strichitus of Dr. Mason Good; and also with diphtheria (q.v.), in which a false membrane is formed on the pharynx and palate, as well as in the larynx. C., in the more restricted sense, begins Avail symptoms resembling catarrh (q.v.), but differing in the greater degree of feverishness and hoarseness. In a short time, the respiration becomes diffi cult and noisy; a very peculiar hissing sound is heard accompanying the drawing of each breath; the cough is harsh and brassy; the countenance is injected, the expres sion very feverish and anxious, the voice entirely lost, or very much altered. This state is soon followed by one of suffocation, unless the little patient is relieved by expectora tion, which, however, frequently takes place in the midst of vomiting' or coughing, a quantity of membranous shreds being brought up from the windpipe along with glairy mucus, and sometimes streaks of blood. In the worst cases, the spasms of ineffectual coughing, and the constantly increasing obstruction to the breathing, are most painful to witness; and a period of tossing, extreme suffering, and anxiety is succeeded either by gradual insensibility, or by convulsions, which are very soon followed by death. True
C. is rarely seen after the age of puberty, and is rather uncommon before the termina tion of the first year of life. It may occur, however, at any age, and has essentially the same characters as are above described. It is supposed to be due in some measure to endemic (q.v.), and partly also to epidemic (q.v.) causes. It is most common in cold and moist climates and seasons, and in low-lying, but exposed situations. The varia tions in its prevalence, however, are by no means fully explained. The treatment of C. requires to be very active and decided, and yet free from rashness. In cases of highly inflammatory type, and in robust children, it may be proper to take blood from the arm, or to place one or more leeches (according to the age of the child) over the top of the breast-bone. An emetic should also be given as soon as possible, composed of a full dose of tartar-emetic or of ipecacuanha, or both together. Some prefer sulphate of copper given in repeated closes: in America, a preference is given to alum and honey mixed into a paste, and given in tea-spoonful doses. The emetic may be repeated, if necessary, every 2 or 3 hours, and the child should at intervals be placed in the warm bath. It needs hardly be added that medical advice should be procured without a moment's delay, whenever it is within reach, for the disease is one of extreme danger, and almost all the most effective remedies require experienced bands for their safe administration. In extreme cases, tracheotomy (q.v.) has been resorted to with success.