The treatment of pertussis with gold tribromide

Abstract

Summary Whooping cough is a serious disease in its mortality rate, complications, and sequelae. It affects all races in all climates. It is essentially a disease of childhood. The etiology of pertussis is still not definitely established. The anatomic pathology shows an inflammation and degeneration of the upper respiratory tract. Physiologically, there is a hyperirritability of the coughing reflex are which responds to the slightest physical or psychic stimuli. Most of the treatments recommended for whooping cough are either ineffectual or not practical of application. As a result of a study of many drugs, especially the bromides, in the treatment of whooping cough, gold tribromide is seemingly an effective remedy in a large number of cases. The earlier in the disease the treatment is begun, the quicker and better the results. The compound of gold tribromide inhibits the coughing reflex are, allays the general nervous irritability and relieves the spasmodic attacks which cause damage to every system of the body.