Effect of Vaporub and Petrolatum on Frequency and Amplitude of Breathing in Children with Acute Bronchitis

Abstract

Transthoracic impedance pneumographs from sixty children suffering from acute bronchitis were studied to investigate the effect of Vaporub® on the amplitude and frequency of breathing. The experimental technique consisted of an observation period of 70 minutes after a 3-minute treatment with Vaporub® or Petrolatum as a control. Before the treatment, after an adaptation period of 20 minutes, the pneumogram was recorded for 10 minutes, after the treatment pneumograms were recorded for 70 minutes. The pneumograph data demonstrated an early increase in amplitude up to 33.0%, with a subsequent return to slightly above control for the remaining test period. Such an increase was not observed in the Petrolatum-treated group. Breathing frequency demonstrated a progressive decrease to 19.4% of the pre-treatment value at the end of the test period, while the Petrolatum controls were between + 3.6 to — 4.2% difference. It is concluded that Vaporub® treatment results in a change in breathing patterns. This, together with the clinical observation of the children suggests a condition of ‘easier breathing'.