Croup. 131 



If suffocation appears imminent tracheotomy should be at once 

 performed (see under Laryngitis) . This operation has been de- 

 preciated because of the late period at which it has been employed, 

 when the patient was already past all hope, but the resulting 

 wound in the neck is more than counterbalanced by the greater 

 freedom of breathing and the better aeration of the blood which 

 tends to obviate the justly dreaded low fever. It often leads to a 

 rapid diminution of the spasms and laryngeal irritation. 



Agents applied directly to the inflamed mucous membrane are 

 often requisite. The air of the building should be rather warm, 

 equable and moistened by water vapor, if that can be conveniently 

 done. Calomel or alum powder may be frequently introduced 

 into the larynx by means of a whalebone prob and sponge as 

 spoken of under laryngitis, or a solution of nitrate of silver (10 

 grains to the ounce of water) may be applied several times a day, 

 These not only hasten the removal of false membranes but 

 counteract their production. The5' .produce violent and convul- 

 sive coughing at first and have to be used carefully. Delafond 

 blew in such agents through an opening made in the windpipe. 

 They may be injected with a hyperdermic syringe. In prostrate 

 conditions it may be necessary to resort to stimulants (wine whey, 

 carbonate of ammonia) and tonics (gentian, Peruvian bark). 



CROUP IN SHEEP. 



According to Roche Lubin croup is sometimes observed in 

 spring in lambs and hogs. The common cause is ' ' the shutting 

 up of the animals for the whole twenty-four hours in a hot con- 

 fined place, the floor of which is covered by a fine dust, and the 

 air loaded with the same, owing to the jostling of the sheep to- 

 gether, the effects being intensified by the weight of the fleeces. ' ' 



The disease is manifested by constant working of the jaws, ex- 

 treme tension of the neck, abundant salivation, respiration hur- 

 ried and whistling, extreme pain and threatened suffocation when 

 the slightest pressure is made on the throat, and refusal of all 

 food liquid or solid. The weak, hacking, convulsive cough is 

 associated with the discharge of a whitish glairy mucus by the 

 nose until the third or fourth day when false membranes may be 

 expected. 



