128 THE HOME, FARM AND BUSINESS CYCLOPEDIA. 



jibly follows, and is succeeded by another fit of coughing, and another 

 whoop, until after a succession of these actions, the paroxysm is termi- 

 nated by vomiting, or a discharge of mucus from the lungs, or perhaps 

 both. The duration of this stage is usually from six weeks to a couple of 

 months, but sometimes continues for a much longer period, the disease, in 

 some cases, lasting from the beginning of Winter until the end of Spring. 



The debilitating results of the disease depend to a great extent upon the 

 violence and duration of the attack, and the strength or weakness of the 

 constitution, but as a rule, if there are no complications, these are of no 

 great moment. The frequent vomiting decreases the appetite, and dis- 

 turbs digestion, which interferes with nutrition, and the child naturally 

 loses flesh, which is more or less flabby, and the skin is unusually dark, 

 especially underneath the eyes. 



THE SUBSIDING OF the attack is marked by the fits of coughing becom- 

 ing less frequent, though possibly they may be as fierce as ever, the 

 paroxysms lasting from a minute to a quarter of an hour. In proportion 

 to their violence and duration will be the child's breathlessness and fright 

 and its efforts to respire. If in a recumbent position it will suddenly 

 jump up and seize hold of whatever or whoever is nearest, in order to be 

 assisted in overcoming the spasm. When the fit is over the child appears 

 exhausted, and requires a short rest to recover itself; but then and during 

 the interval to the next cough, it is comparatively easy and cheerful, of ten 

 playing about as usual, and not averse to food, except where the case is a 

 severe one, when extreme languor supervenes. 



The period at which these paroxysms recur varies considerably ; dur- 

 ing the early part of the attack they are very frequent about every half 

 hour, and in some extremely severe cases as often as every ten minutes 

 the chief cause of their return being the accumulation of mucus. Conse- 

 quently, if this be got rid of by the coughing, the fit will be light ; but if 

 it is expelled with difficulty the efforts will be greater, and the cough 

 renewed almost immediately. These fits are produced by many things 

 a hearty meal, a fit of passion, crying, fright or laughter, will either of 

 them be sufficient to bring on an attack. 



Although we have stated that this disease is rarely attended with fatal 

 results, it must be distinctly understood that this statement applies to 

 whooping-cough per se ; it is perfectly correct, but for fear any one should 

 not be sufficiently careful, it is a disorder which, if improperly treated, or 

 if the case be one of an extremely acute character, may lead to something 

 of a complicated and highly dangerous nature. 



