d (twenty
grains to the ounce) as warm as can be borne. Dry heat may then be
applied in several ways. The ear having been first covered with
cotton, a small hot-water bag or one filled with hot salt or bran, may
be bound over it with a bandage; or a small butter plate heated in hot
water may be used in the same way. The hot-water bag may be held
against the ear or the child may lie with his head upon it. The use of
such substances as oil and laudanum in the ear is not to be
recommended.

CROUP

_What are the symptoms of croup?_

There is a hollow, dry, barking cough, with some difficulty in
breathing.

_When is this likely to come on?_

Usually at night.

_Is simple croup dangerous?_

The ordinary croup of infants is spasmodic croup, and is very rarely
dangerous, although the symptoms seem very alarming.

_What are the symptoms?_

In a mild attack there is simply noisy breathing, especially on
drawing in the breath, with a tight, barking, or croupy cough. In a
severe attack the child's breathing is more noisy and becomes
difficult.

_What is the dangerous form of croup?_

Membranous croup, which is the same thing as diphtheria of the larynx.

_How does this develop?_

Gradually; very rarely does it come on suddenly.

_What should be done for a baby who has spasmodic croup?_

The room should be very warm, hot cloths or poultices should be
applied over the throat, and either a croup kettle or an ordinary
tea-kettle kept boiling in the room. This is more efficacious if the
child is placed in a tent made by a raised umbrella with a sheet
thrown over it, and the steam introduced beneath the tent. If the
symptoms are urgent, ten drops of the sirup of ipecac should be given
every fifteen minutes until free vomiting occurs. Whenever the
symptoms reach a point where breathing becomes difficult, a doctor
should be summoned without delay.

CONTAGIOUS DISEASES

_What are the first symptoms of measles?_

Measles comes on rather gradually with cough, sneezing, watery eyes
and nose, much like an ordinary cold in the head. The eruption appears
after three or four days, first upon the face and neck as small red
spots, and spreads slowly over the body.

_Is measles a serious disease?_

In infants and during the winter season it is likely to be very
serious on account of the danger of bronchitis and pneumonia, which
frequently accompany it. In children over four years old it is
generally not severe. No ch