Prevention Much Safer Than Cure In So-called “Children’s Ailments”

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 31, 19 March 1948, Page 6

Prevention Much Safer Than Cure In So-called “Children’s Ailments”

(By the Department of Health)Measles and mumps and chickenpox have taken their usual toll this year. The old idea that it was good to have the infectious diseases while young and get them over is - not sound. There’s too much risk with them, and more risk of death and complications while young. You should wbrk on the principle that the longer you can stall off the infectious diseases the better. The older the child gets the smaller chance he has of catching the diseases, as he builds up-some natural resistence. The older he is when he does get them, the less they upset him and there are fewer ill results.

The cardinal rule in avoiding the common infectious diseases is to keep away from other children and older folk with colds. Most of the common complaints—measles, scarlet fever, chickenpox and more serious ones like infantile paralysis —begin like the ’flu or a cold, or a sore throat. If those with whom you are staying or mixing are having colds, keep the children outside in the fresh air as much as possible. And don’t let them get overtired. Fatigue is the best way to lower resistence, Next best is letting them get chilled. A common cause is permitting a longish period of play in wet bathing togs, especially with a cool breeze blowing on what seems otherwise a perfect day. You may be holidaying with older relatives. They shouldn’t handle the children if they have colds or sore throats. Nor should they use their handkerchiefs to wipe your child’s nose, nor give morsels of food or drink from their plates or cups. In general always keep a wary eye on others with colds—that’s the key to avoiding a great many of the infectious diseases.