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32
Owing to the prevalence of Whooping Cough a short series
of precautions was drawn up by your instructions 'and
printed on cards. These are left at houses where cases are
notified by school teachers. The following are the precautions
advised:—
The Dangers of Whooping Cough.
(1) Whooping Cough is a very dangerous infectious
disease, and kills twice as many children in
Woolwich as Scarlet Fever.
(2) It is infectious before the whoop begins, and the
infection lasts as long as there is cough and expectoration
(phlegm).
(3) Young infants are specially liable to die of Whooping
Cough and should never be taken into a house
where the disease is present.
(4) Wool or flannel should be worn next the skin.
(5) It is advisable to consult the doctor in all cases,
but especially:—(1) when infants are attacked;
(2) when the paroxysms of cough are very frequent;
(3) when the breathing is short and the
child goes off his food. When the cough is bad
the child should be kept in bed with the window
open, and a fire in cold weather. The child must
be protected from draught by a screen if necessary.
(6) If there is much vomiting, food should be given
frequently in small quantities (little and often),
and the best time is just after a fit of coughing.
(7) Children suffering from Whooping Cough must be
kept from school as long as the cough lasts and
for at least five weeks from the commencement of
whooping. They must not go to church, &c., they
must not enter a train, tram, or other public