Trional is much superior to belladonna in the treatment of pertussis. In doses of l'/, to S grains—according to the age of the child—it produces a quiet and deep sleep only occasionally interrupted by a fit of coughing. In conjunction with the trional, the pharynx is painted with a 1-per-cent. solution of carbolic acid (containing also a small amount of glycerin and alcohol). Busdraghi (Vratsch, vol. xix, p. 228, 'OS).
As a substitute for resorcin in per tussis, asaprol—a soluble derivative of betanaphthol—now used in form of an aqueous solution of the strength of 1 to 100, being applied by means of a brush with a long curved handle to the posterior pharyngeal walls and about the region of the glottis, every two hours in the day. In twenty-six cases ranging in age from 1 month to 9 years, in which the remedy has been applied from the beginning of the attack, the ease has been cured before the convulsive stage was reached, and in those eases in which this stage had been reached, recovery followed in from five to ten days. In the beginning it induces attacks, but this is very shortly overcome. Moncorvo (La Med. Infant., Jan., '93).
Formalin used in the treatment of whoopir.g-cough for the past year. Per sonal experience shows it is a specific in this affection. Treatment is local and is applied to the throat in not too strong solutions; strength used not stated. H. S. Oliphant (N. Y. Med. Jour., Mar. 4, '99).
Striking results obtained in modifying the course and severity of whooping cough by the administration of anti diphtheritic serum. In S out of 9 cases in which the serum was administered the duration of the paroxysmal stage never surpassed five to ten days; the number of paroxysms rapidly diminished, falling in the course of six or seven days from twenty or thirty in twenty-four hours to three or four, with almost complete disappearance of the repetitions. The violence of the cough also became greatly modified. Vomiting always ceased after the injections. V. Gilbert (Revue Med.
de la Suisse Romande, June 20, '99).
Heroin was tried at the Mount Sinai Dispensary in about 20 cases, but the re sult had not been good. In a number of cases, for purposes of comparison, anti pyrine had been used first, and subse quently heroin, but the latter with less satisfactory results. On resuming the antipyrine the same control of the parox ysm had been noted that had existed be fore the use of the heroin. In the Good Samaritan Dispensary the best results have been secured from a mixture con taining, for a child of two years, 2 grains of antipyrine, 1 minim of tincture of digitalis, and 4 minims of camphorated tincture of opium. Herman (Pediatrics, May 1, 1900).
The comparative drug values studied in 752 cases of whooping-cough. As the cases had developed, they had been sepa rated into groups of twenty, and were allowed to cough without treatment until the height of the paroxysmal stage had been reached, which usually required from ten to fourteen days. The ages of
the patients treated varied between six weeks and twenty-six years. Three pa tients only had reached adult life. Five sixths of V the patients had been under four years of age, and one-half under two years of age. It was found that the very young and the very delicate often did not whoop during a severe attack of whooping-cough.
The drug treatment consisted of in sufflation, internal administrations, and inhalations. Resorein and boric acid, combined with bicarbonate of soda, vapo cresoline, fluid extract of horse-chestnut leaves, and dilute nitric acid were found valueless. Alum had appeared to be of some service, but had been badly borne by the stomach. Bromoform had proved very unreliable. Cocaine in doses of 'Ao grain every four hours for a child of two years had been employed in about 25 cases. It had controlled the severity of the paroxysms somewhat, but not suf ficiently to warrant its continuance. Great benefit was found from quinine if a large amount could be given. It was difficult to give from 12 to 20 grains of this drug daily, as required. When -quinine could be given in capsules, the number and severity of the paroxysms would be remarkably controlled—some times the number being diminished one third to one-half. Belladonna was used in 60 institution cases, being adminis tered up to the physiological effect; this had required from five to seven days. No influence was observed from this in -a single case. True, the eases upon which it had been used were very severe, but they had yielded to other means. Equal parts of bromide of sodium, ammonium, and potassium had been tried in GO insti tution cases, using from 12 to 16 grains -daily for a child of one year. The results from this treatment were better than those previously mentioned. Antipyrine had been used in 60 institution cases, and it controlled the paroxysms better than any other drug employed, and caused only a trifling depression if administered with ordinary care. The combination of the bromide with antipyrine had been used in 60 cases, with better results than from using either one of these drugs independently. For a child of eight months, 1, grain of antipyrine, and 2 grains of sodium bromide should he given every two hours for six doses, and then its administration should be discontinued for a period of twelve hours. For a child between two and a half and four years of age, 2 grains of antipyrine and 3 or 4 grains of bromide should be given every two hours for twelve hours before being resumed. The steam-spray and fresh air were also useful adjuncts to the drug treatment of whooping-cough. If a rem edy is to be of service, its beneficial re sults may be noticed within twenty-four to forty-eight hours. C. G. Kerley (Pedi atrics, May 1, 1900).