ases, measles, influenza, scarlet fever, typhoid fever, pneumonia,
diphtheria, whooping-cough, for example. It may accompany any disease of
childhood, however.
Symptoms.--In infants bronchitis usually follows a "cold in the
head," with running nose and a cough. The child is indisposed and
peevish because of the cold. In a few days the cough becomes worse,
fever develops, the breathing is quicker, and the baby looks and acts
sick. The cough may be constant and severe; sometimes the cough does not
seem to bother the baby, although this is exceptional. The breathing is
quite rapid and is accompanied with a moist, rattling sound in the
chest. The baby is restless and if the cough is severe it becomes
exhausted. Vomiting or diarrhea may be present.
Bronchitis in Older Children.--Bronchitis in older children comes on
abruptly, with fever and cough. The child may complain of headache and
pains in the chest or other parts of the body. It may begin with a chill
or chilly feelings. These children "raise" with the cough. The
expectoration may be quite profuse; at first it is a white, frothy
mucus, then yellow, and later a yellowish green; it may be slightly
tinged with blood.
There is a mild form of bronchitis in these older children where the
serious symptoms are absent. The children are not sick enough to go to
bed, but they appear to have a "heavy cold" with, at first, a tight,
hard cough, which is usually worse at night. Later the cough turns loose
and the same expectoration occurs as in the severe type. It is these
cases of mild bronchitis which do not receive the proper care and
treatment that develop into the so-called "winter cough," which lasts
for months.
Treatment.--(See page 497 under heading, "Catching Colds.") Children
who acquire bronchitis easily and frequently, should be built up. Cod
liver oil should be given all winter. The sleeping apartment of these
children should not be too cold, but it should be well aired through the
day and well ventilated throughout the night. Flannel night clothes
should be worn and the feet should be kept warm always. Mild attacks of
"cold in the head" should be treated vigorously and not neglected.
The following "Don'ts" may be profitably studied when your child or baby
has bronchitis:--
Don't keep the windows tightly closed; fresh air and good ventilation
are absolutely necessary to the patient.
Don't use a cotton jacket or oil silk.
Don't wrap the child up in blank
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