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A respiratory infection caused by BORDETELLA PERTUSSIS and characterized by paroxysmal coughing ending in a prolonged crowing intake of breath.

Whooping cough; an acute contagious disease with spasmodic cough.

At longer or shorter intervals; and consisting of several expirations, followed by a sonorous inspiration or whoop. The fits of coughing generally recur more frequently during the night, morning, and evening, than in the day. It is esteemed to be contagious, and attacks the young more particularly. It is rare for it to affect an individual for the second time. The duration is various, - six or eight weeks or more. Although the paroxysms are very violent, it is not a dangerous disease. It may, however, give rise to other affections, as convulsions, pneumonia, &c., when the complication is very dangerous, as the cause cannot be removed. Those children suffer the least, who evacuate the contents of the stomach during the fit. In the treatment, all that can be done is to palliate. It must be borne in mind, that the disease will, in time, wear itself out. If there be such tensive pain of the head, or fever, bleeding may be required, but it is seldom necessary. Narcotics occasionally afford relief, but it is temporary. Gentle emetics, given occasionally, when the paroxysms are long and dry, give decided relief, and aid in the expectoration of the morbid secretions. After the disease has continued for some weeks, and persists in part from habit, change of air is essential, and this, even should the change be to an atmosphere that is less pure.

Whooping cough.[Lat.]