This disease is sometimes of long duration, for if it shows itself in
the autumn or winter months, the little patient will frequently retain
the cough until May or even June, when it disappears with the return
of warmer weather. Change of air when practicable is desirable,
especially when the cough has been of long continuance.
In this cough there are three stages. In the first the symptoms are
those of an ordinary cold in the head and cough. In the second the
cough becomes hard, dry and rapid, and the inhalation of the air,
after or during the paroxysm of coughing produces the peculiar sound
from which the disease is named. In the final stage the cough occurs
at longer intervals, and the paroxysms are less violent and ultimately
disappear. In this stage the disease is subject to fluctuation, the
cough again increasing in frequency of occurrence and intensity if the
patient has been unduly exposed to cold or damp, or if the weather is
very changeable.
Children suffering from whooping-cough should have a light nourishing
diet and only go out when the weather is mild and warm.
_Medicines_. Aconitum napellus in the very commencement of the
disorder, followed by Ipecacuanha and Nux vomica when the second stage
is just approaching and during its continuance. These medicines may be
continued if necessary during the third stage.