Satisfactory results obtained in treat ment of whooping-cough by inhalations of ozone. These inhalations may be given for ten or fifteen minutes twice a day. Cail16 reports seven eases and Labb6 and Oudin fourteen or fiftten cases in which rapid recovery was ob tained with this mode of treatment. M. E. Dourner (Nord 316d., Nov. 1, '97).
Two series of eases of whooping-cough occurred in two different years treated by rectal injections of carbonic-acid gas. Out of 150 patients, 143 were benefited to a very noticeable extent. The 7 eases that were not benefited were of weakling children in advanced stages of the dis ease. The carbonic acid was obtained from a mixture of bicarbonate of soda and crystals of tartaric acid. By this method the gas is given off sufficiently slowly so that its administration may be kept up continuously for the necessary length of time. In infants the injections were given for five minutes at a time in older children for ten minutes. The administration of the carbonic-acid gas is followed by flushing of the skin, espe daily of the face. In a few of the pa tients mild diarrhoea developed. It ceased after a day or two, when the injections were discontinued, and they could usually be resumed a day or two later without necessarily causing the diarrhoea.
The success of the injections of car bonic-acid gas was marked only when the nascent gas was employed: that is to say, when the gas Was obtained fresh from the chemical reaction of the bicar bonate of soda and the tartaric acid. In a series of 20 cases, in which commercial carbonic-acid gas was used, it seemed to have absolutely no effect on the whoop ing-cough. N. R. Norton (Med. News, Mar. 3, 1900).
Attention called to the claim of Dr. Ceres, of Bohemia, that the vapor of formalin is a specific and preventive of this disease. After citing a number of cases in which the cough was cut short within twenty-four hours. the conclu sion is reached that: 1. By the proper inhalation of the vapors of forma-lin it is possible to destroy the germs of whooping-cough—those existing on the mucous membrane of the respiratory organs and also those in the surround ings of the patients. By this means the disease is cut short and further infection inhibited. 2. In accordance with these experiences it seems advisable that schools, hospitals, churches. and other
localities should from time to time he thoroughly disinfected. It is hardly necessary to add that the treatment should be directed or administered only by a medical practitioner. (Bull. Health Dept. of Chicago, week ending Feb. 7, 1903).
Internally, sedative and antispasmodic medicines may be administered with the object of allaying the nervous irritation and checking the spasm. Among the most generally employed are the bro mides, belladonna, antipyrine, and chlo ral-hydrate.
In England essence of amber (oleurn succini) is a popular remedy in whoop ing-cough, being rubbed over the verte bral column morning and evening. Will iam Murrell (Brit. Med. Jour., Apr. 1, '93).
Hot poultices as suggested by J. Madi son Taylor recommended in pertussis. The poultice is made large enough to cover the posterior surface of the lungs, and on this the child is permitted to lie for one hour without a change. Relief is almost immediate. After an hour it is removed and into the relaxed skin is rubbed some stimulating preparation, as sweet oil and camphor, or turpentine and lard in the proportion of 1 to 15. After this a cotton jacket is applied. One application a day ordinarily suffices, but the poultice should be repeated as indi cated. Three ends are achieved by this treatment: 1. It secures rest. 2. It re duces temperature. 3. By relieving con gestion pain is lessened. McKee (Phila. Polyclinic, Sept. 14, '95).
Phenocoll hydrochlorate valuable in pertussis, 42 cases being successfully treated. Dose varied from 0.07 to 2 grammes daily, given in mucilage or water, in which it is soluble in the pro portion of 1 to 7. Good effects were noticeable within twelve hours. Vargas (Then Welch., Jan. 5, '96).
Large number of cases of whooping cough successfully treated by ichthyol. Remedy is administered in the form of a pill, commencing with doses varying from V., grain to 3 grains, according to the age of the child, and gradually in creasing the dose to 15 grains daily. Internal administration of the drug is supplemented by inhalations of a 3-per cent. solution of ichthyol in glycerin. It is a most effective drug in the treat ment of whooping cough, not only re lieving the violence of the paroxysms, but also cutting short the duration of the disease. Cervesato (Die Ther. der Gegenwert, B. 37, '96).