At the present time most infectious croup in infancy, seems to be unrelated to Corynebacterium diphtheriae or Hemophilus influenzae B; moreover recent studies have failed to implicate other pathogenic bacteria (1). The term "viral croup" has been applied to this syndrome without the necessary justification of an etiologically associated viral agent. The purpose of the present s tudy was to dete...

UPPER AND LOVCEI~ respiratory tract obstruction, particularly as seen in acute croup, is a well-recognized paediatric emergency which requires rapid mechanical relief. Until recently the most prevalent method of achieving this was through the use of a traeheostomy, the hazards of which, particularly in the young age group, are well known. Throughout the period of this study it has been the poli...