Croup

Acute, very fatal, inflammation of larynx with formation of membrane (whence appellation membranous croup), upon mucous membrane, often of sufficient extent to cause death by suffocation. It occurs usually before 7th year, oftener in males than in females, is accompanied by frequent suffocative attacks, crowing respiration, and a harsh, metallic cough. Death usually results in from two days to a week, the period depending upon extent of false membrane and strength and age of patient. By some it is regarded as a form of diphtheria. False croup is any affection of the larynx in which the cough and respiration have the above characters.