Whooping cough is a peculiarly infantile disorder even though adults are not immune from it. It is an infectious disease caused by the organism Heomophilus pertussis. Its onset is marked by catarrh of the dose, sneez­ing, watering of the eyes; irritation of the throat, slight fever and cough. After the passage of some time, catarrh symptoms disappear but cough becomes more persistent. The patient suffers from paroxysms of coughing in which a series of violent and rapid expiratory sounds are succeeded by a loud sonorous inspira­tion-the whoop. The sufferer sometimes turns blue in the face because the paroxysm deprives his lungs of air.

 

Sometimes, the paroxysm of coughing ends in the child vomiting; the vomit is accompanied by phlegm which the sufferer had been unable to expel. Such an act of vomiting provides temporary relief but the trouble returns till treated properly. The disease, fortunately, is not fatal even if it continues for some months.

 

Home Remedies for Whooping Cough:

 

The very first thing to be done about a case of whooping cough is to regulate the diet of the patient. If an infant, his milk intake should be reduced to the barest minimum. A mild laxative, preferably Castor Oil, should be adminis­tered to relieve constipation if it is there. Castor Oil will also give relief to the pain in the abdominal muscles which are strained during the paroxysms of coughing. The sufferer should be protected against exposure to cold and moisture as they are likely to aggravate the condition.

 

The best home remedy is to take a teaspoonful of juice of Ginger with an equal quantity of Honey two to three times a day. In case of constant nausea OJ vomiting, one decigram of powder of equal quantities of Narkachoor, Mint (Podi­na), Cardamom seeds dissolved in' water should be given. For infants, one deci­gram of Borax roasted over a hot plate given after milk is the best remedy for constant vomiting.

 

Another remedy is to boil one gram each of Fennel, Gaozaban Glycerrhiza Root, Zufa Khushk and three Raisins in about 100 ml. of water and the decoction sweetened with Honey. It should be taken three to four times a day. If this does not help, three grams of Coconut Oil should be administered thrice daily for a week. If the child is unable to take it pure, Honey may be mixed with it to make it more palatable.