OUR BABIES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3185, 8 September 1917, Page 3

OUR BABIES

fBX HIGEIA.I

Published under the auspices of tho Society foe the Health of Women and Children. "It is wiser to put up a fence at the top of a precipice than to maintain an ambulance at tho bottom." WOBMS. A Father's Letter. ''Being the father of a. young family, I usually read tho notes in 'Our Babies,' and I notice you α-vo always willlim to ffive advice. My wife has been concerned over the presence of small while worms, about Jin. long, which appear aitcr the little ones have been in bed a- short time— at least, that is when she notices them. I consulted, the local chemist, and lie said they were called 'seat worms,' • and advised a saline 'injection—sea. water if obtainable. Wo have not tried tlio sea. water, but have used salted water a few ■Umos. However, the trloiiblo is still there. Tho children are two a,nd four years of age. Would you kindly give advice .through the column?" REPLY. Small thread worms, or "seat worms," such as our correspondent describes, aro very common, and they should always l;e got rid of as soon as possible, as they cause intense itching and irritation, iest< lossnesß and disturbed sleep, and tend to upset the whole system. Further, the itching and consequent scratching ifcduced not infrequently lead to the formation of bad habits. v Cause- or Effect. The first question to ask is whether in a given case the worms aro to be regarded as tho real ca,use of tho trouble or rather aa an evidence that the general health and the bowel and its contents arc not what they should be. As a rulo ordinary worms don't tond to flourish in a perfectly healthy bowel: but, on the other hand, worms aro almost sure to take up their abode and flourish if tho bowel becomes chronically weak and sluggish, especially if more or less chronic catarrh of the bowel becomes established, accompanied by tho passing of slimy or jelly-lilto mucus. Worms tend to flourish in this muous.

The Law of Parasites. The great cause of the successful invasion of tlio body by parasites of any Mud—from microbes to worms—is a ln'ck of defensive irobast health and pvre blofld. Thcro are myriads of tiny enemies ever ready and Oα the look-out to attaok and feed on all living things, whether plant or animal, and theso enemies always tend to select tho weak rather than tbe strong for their prey. One might have supposed it would bo otherwise; one might have supposed that paJ-asitca would prefer to live on plant with pure, sweet sap, or on babies with rich, red healthy bwod; but this is not tho case. They choose tho feebler organisms or the weaker parts of those who may be otherwise strong.

Fighting the Feeble. Any gardener or farmer will tell you— indeed, you can seo for yourself—that blight comes on tho smaller, feebler cabbages or turnips—those growing in the poorer parts of tho field or insufficiently supplied with air, light, and water. The strong, vigorously-growing plants nearby will bo found quite free from the pest; but you would only have to weaken any of these plants by cutting most cf its roots, or by depriving it of proper supplies of air and water, to cause an army of aphides to cover its leaves, and further weaken it in the course of ft few weeks. Are Worms Gonorally tho Camse or the Effect? Speaking to students retarding a condition of feebleness and falline-off most frequently seen in children about the t'me of their second "teething," a distinguished physician says:— "Other casos of debility with intestinal disorder will bo brought to you simply for worms, and I want to impress upon you that you should always regard worms as a symptom and not as a disease. They are a Symptom of chronio intestinal catarrh, rather than a disease in themselves." Treatment. -The broad general treatment for all ailing babies is given on pages 1 and 2 of the society's book, "Feeding and; Oare of Baby"; and there is no case in which this applies more strongly than where a baby tends to be pale, is dc-inc poorly, and is suspected of suffering from worme. Fresh air. sunlight, proper regular feeding, regularity of bowels, plenty of exercise, clock-like regularity with regard to sleop and plenty of it—theso aro the main essentials. Cauo siigar, if in uso, should be cut off in such oases. Further, if the baby has reached an ago at which starchy food is generally given, this element of tho. diet should bo kept in 6trict moderation. Tho diet recommended for young children past babyhood is as'follows:— f Directions for a Diet in Chronic Dyspepsia With a Tendency to "Worms." 1. No food between regular meals. 2. No sugar or eweetics of any 6ort. 3. No new bread, potatoes, cakes, pastry, jam, syrup, or treacle. . A The diet should consist mamly of s«itie bread or dry toast with butter or dripping; bacon, eggs, fresh, fish, and meat in strict moderation; plain, simple puddings; green vegetables in small- quantity, <tnd fresh ripe fruit. 5. A pint or more of milk Bhould. bo Slow eatino and thorough " mastication aro of the first importance.

■ Pure Air and Exercise. Tho authority I have already quoted Sect to a change of diet I put in order of Importance change of air. Repeatedly one has seen cases which, are haneiiig fire aud not doinc well get bettor right away when they were sent to a. convalescent home at the seaside. This is explained partly on the ground that many of theso cases are due to lack of physical exercise, confinement iu school, and unhealthy homes. Treatment. I will deal with the questions of treatment next week in so far as it is ft n,«rter for parents or nurses. Meantime, I may say that no powders, drugs, or internal medicine should ever be given for worms except by » doctor's orders. The uso of enemata and irrigation of the bowel with, water, salt solution, infusion of truaesia, etc., properly used are the most effective measures; but to ensure success, system, patience, and perseverance are needed, and the child must also be prevented from reinfecting iteclf. The naile must be kept short, the finirera muet be kept dean, and the child must be prevented from suckinc them.