Kali Mur

Is the principal remedy for the membranous exudation, alternating with Ferrum phos. The chief remedy in false croup.

Ferrum Phos

This remedy should be alternated with Kali mur.; breathing short, oppressed and hurried.

Calcarea Fluor

If Ferritin phos. and Kali mur. do not suffice. The chief remedy in true croup.

Calcarea Phos

Useful if the foregoing fail to act. "Suffocative attacks on lifting up the child from the cradle. After nursing, after crying, or being raised from the cradle, breathing ceases, the head turns backward, the face is blue, there is fighting with hands and feet; after the attack great laxation." (Bradford).

Kali Phos

If treatment is delayed till the last stage, syncope; for nervous prostration, pale, livid countenance; in alternation with Kali mur.

Magnesia Phos

Spasmodic closure of the windpipe. Sudden shrill voice; suffocative cough.

Calcarea Sulph

Useful after the exudation stage when, after the hard membrane has been softened, there exists a tough mucus in the throat causing much discomfort. It will change the croupous to a catarrhal cough, and when given in season will sometimes prevent exudation.

Clinical Cases

D. R., a boy, aet. 7. who took spurious croup when there was a sharp, keen, northeast wind, having had a few years before a very severe attack of true croup; this past autumn had again an attack, with fever, and a loud, harking cough. Acon, and liver of sulphur, which have been recommended by so many authors against spurious croup, produced no change whatever, so that I prepared myself, in the case of this boy, for a continuance of the affection, as usual, for several days. The nights especially were very restless, with much coughing, rough and hard, so thai his relatives were very anxious. There were dry heat and great oppression present. I exchanged my Hepar sulph. for Kali mur., and gave every two hours a full dose. After a few doses the cough became loose, lost completely the barking sound, and the whole of the following night my little patient slept quietly, so that on the following morning he awoke, able to get up, quite lively and well. (Schussler).

In croup, do not be afraid of high potencies; they often do much better than the low. (E. H. H).