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This is by far the most formidable and fatal of all the diseases
to which infancy and childhood are liable, and is purely an inflammatory
affection, attacking that portion of the mucous membrane lining the
windpipe and bronchial tubes, and from the effect of which a false or
loose membrane is formed along the windpipe, resembling in appearance
the finger of a glove suspended in the passage, and, consequently,
terminating the life of the patient by suffocation; for, as the lower
end grows together and becomes closed, no air can enter the lungs, and
the child dies choked. All dull, fat, and heavy children are peculiarly
predisposed to this disease, and those with short necks and who make awheezing noise in their natural breathing
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