Directly signs of catarrh are noticed the child must be confined to his bed, and be subjected to the treatment recommended for such cases (see Bronchitis).
In the more advanced stage of the disease much may be done by suit able medication to relieve the more distressing symptoms. One of our first objects should be to control the amount of secretion and destroy its fetor. Astringent remedies given by the mouth and inhaled into the lungs are very useful for this purpose. The child should take quinine (gr. j.—ij.), with tinct. fern perchloridi x.—xx.) and a few drops of liq. morphia& several times in the day ; and astringent and antiseptic solutions should be sprayed into the throat at suitable intervals. These solutions must not be too strong or they may excite so much cough that their use will have to be discontinued. Alum (gr. x. to the oz. of water) and tannin (half a grain to the are both very useful ; or we may use carbolic acid or creasote (iii xx. to the pint of hot water) combined with a drachm of tinct. benzoini co. as an inhalation. Turpentine given internally is often a valuable remedy in diminishing the amount of secretion. It may be administered in doses of ten or twenty drops every three or four hours. Reducing the quantity of fluid allowed for drink will often considerably diminish the secretion ; but children do not readily submit to this deprivation.
Vomiting is useful, as the act helps to effect the discharge of secretion from the tubes ; but the paroxysms of cough are apt to be excited by taking food, and if the contents of the stomach are ejected shortly after a meal the loss of nourishment may cause serious interference with nutrition. In these cases it is advisable to give small doses of arsenic (TEL j.—ij.) two or three times a day, or a drop or two of liq. strychnim, for both of these remedies tend to control the retching efforts at the end of a fit of cough ing. But the vomiting should be excited at a more convenient time, as in the early morning, by a draught of warm water, mustard and water, or a grain of sulphate of copper.
Cod-liver oil and tonics are of great service at all stages of the disease ; and if amyloid degeneration of organs has occurred, and there be anemia, iron is especially indicated. Dropsy must be treated on a similar plan. Any complications which arise in the course of the disease must receive immediate attention ; for it is indispensable to maintain the healthy work ing of the animal functions. Therefore indigestion, diarrhoea, etc. must be treated by diet and suitable remedies, as directed in the clIptdra treating of these subjects.