Our Babies

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 14 September 1917, Page 4

Our Babies

(By Hygeia). Published under the auapicea of ti*e Society for the Health of Women and Children. "It is wiser to put up a fence at lie top of a precipice than to maintaiog a ambulance at the bottom." Worms. A Father's Letter. t "Being the father of a young family, I usually reed the notes in 'Our Babie3,' and I notice you are always willing to give advice. My wife has been concerned over the presence of small white worms, about Jin long, which appear after the little ones have been in ted a short time—at least, that is when she notices them. I consulted the local chemist, and he said they were called 'seat worms,' and advised a saline injection—sea water if obtainable. We have not tried the sea water, but have used salted water , a few times. However, the,trouble is still there. The children are two and four years of age. Would you kindly give advice through the column?" Reply. Small thread worms, or "seat

Small thread worms, or "seat worms," such as our correspondent describes, are very common, and they shculd always be got rid of as soon as possible, as thay cause intense itching and irritation, restlessness and disturbed sleep, and this tend to upset the whole system. Farther, the itching and consequent scratching induced not infrequently lead to the formation of bad habits.

Cause or Effect. ' The first question to ask is whether in a given case the wormß are to be regarded as the real cause of the trouble or rather as an evidence that the general health and the bowel and its contents are cot what they should be? As a rule ordinary worms don't tend to flourish in a perfectly healthy bowel; but, on the other hand, worms are almost sure to take up their abode and flourish if che bowel becomes chronically weak ani 3luggi3h, especially if more or less chronic catarrh of the bowel becomes established, accompanied by the passim* of slimy or jellylike mucus. Worms tend to flourish in this mucus. The Law of Parasites.

The great cause of the «ucceasful invasion of the body by paraaites of any kind—from microbe* to worms —is a j lack of defensive, robust health and pure blood. There are myriads of tiny enemies ever ready and on the lookout to attacfc and feed on all living things, whether plant or animal, and these enemies always tend to select the weak rather than the strong for their prey. One might have supposed it would b<* otherwise; one might have supposed that parasites would prefer to live on plants with pure, sweet sap, or on babies with rich, red, healthy blood; , but this is not the case. They choose the feebler organisms or the weaker parts iif tiiose who m y be "Otherwise strong.

Fighting the Feeble. j Any gardener or farmer will tell you j —indeed, you can see for yourself— j that blight comes on the smaller, ' feebler cabbages or turnips those growing in the poorer parts of the field or insufficiently supplied with air, light, and water. The strong, vigorously-growing plants near by will be found quite free from th*> pest; but you woufccl only t-ave to weakan any of tfces* plants by cutting most of 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 a few weeks. Are Worms Generally the Cause or The Effect? Speaking to stadencs regarding a condition of feebleness and falling-off .most frequently seen fn children about the time of their second "teething," a distinguished physician says:— "Other cases of debility with intestinal disorder will be 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 cfironic intestinal catarrh rather than a disease in themselves." Treatment. The broad general treatment for a l l ailing babies is given on pages 1 and 2 of the Society' 3 book "Feeding and Care of daby;" and there is no case in wbicb this applies more atrongly than

where a baby tends to be pale, is doing > poorly, and is suspected of suffering from worms. Fresh air, sunlight, . proper regular feeding, regularity of i bowels, plenty of exerciße, clock-like regularity with regard to sleep and plenty of it—these are the main essentials. Gane sugar, if in use, should . be cut off in such cases. Further, if I the baby has reached an age at which j starchy food is generally given, this | element of the diet should be kept in I strict moderation. j The diet recommended for young j children past babyhood is as follows: j Directions for Diet in Chronic Dyspep- j Bia With a Tendency to "Worms." j 1. No food between regular m«als. 2. No sugar or swe«ties of any j sort. 3. No new bread, potatoes, cakes, pastry, jam, syrup, or treacle. 4. The diet should consist mainly of stale 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, aod fresh ripe fruit. 5. A pint or more of milk should be given. Slow eating and thorough mastication are of the fir3t importance. Pure Air and Exercise. The authority I have already quoted says:—

Next to a change of diet I put in order of importance change of air. Repeatedly one has seen peases which are hanging fire and not doing well get better right away when they were sent j to a convalescent home at the seaside. This is explained partly on the ground that many of these cases are due to lack of physical exercise, confinement in school, and unhealthy homes. Treatment. I wiil deal with the question of treatment next week in so far as it is a matter for parents or nurses. Meantime, I may say that no powders, drugs, or internal medicine should ever be given, for worms except by a doctor'a orders. The use of enemata and irrigation of the bowel with Water, Salt Solution, Infusion of Quassia, etc., properly used are* the most effective measures; but 10 ensure success, system, patience, and perseverance are "needed, and the child must aliio be prevented from re-infecting itself.' The nails must be kept clean, and the child must be prevented from sucking them.