OUR BABIES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 585, 11 February 1929, Page 4

OUR BABIES

By Hygeia. Published under the auspices of the Royal New Zealand Society for the Health of Women and Children (Plunket Society). “it is wiser to put up a fence at the top of a precipice than to main* tain an ambulance at the bottom. INFECTIOUS AND CONTAGIOUS DISEASES OF EARLY CHILDHOOD. We take tiie liberty of quoting again from Miss Liddiard’s “Mothercraft Manual,” this time on the subject of the ailments and troubles of childhood. Miss Liddiard writes as follows: “This chapter is written to guide the mother as to the recognition of some of the more common infectious and contagious diseases of childhood, and to teach the principle of prevention, and the simple precautions which must be taken if the patient has to be nursed at home. In all cases of fever a doctor should be called in; the mother must not attempt to diagnose or treat the case herself. “Germs, or bacteria, are minute animal plants. These enter the body: (a) through the skin, when there is usually a local infection. The leucocytes, or white cells in the blood, surround and attack the invader; the dead leucocytes form pus or matter. If these leucocytes are strong enough the invader is defeated, and does not gain any more ground; if not, either the germ itself or its poison gets into the blood stream, when there is a general infection; (b) these germs may enter through the mouth in water, milk, dust, etc; (c) they may be transmitted on articles of clothing; (d) they may be transmitted from a person who has the disease to a healthy person. “The most important point in regard to infections is prevention. “By care as to food, clothing and general hygiene, as described in previous chapters, a strong, healthy body is built, which is more resistant to disease and suffers less from an attack. All the laws of health must be studied and kept; this is the surest way to prevent infection and to ensure a quick recovery if the disease is contracted.

“Cleanliness is of the greatest importance in everything connected with the child. Dust is a great germ-car-rier. All the children’s surroundings and clothing should be washable. They should be taught clean habits from the beginning, such as washing of the hands before meals, etc. On the other hand, life must not be made a burden by never allowing them to get dirty; a little heajthy dirt will do no harm as long as care is taken as to personal habits of cleanliness and frequent washing of clothing. “Travelling in crowded trains and cars is to be avoided as much as possible, especially at the time of an epidemic. At such times it is best to keep children from contact with others.

“Remember that the discharges are always infectious. Let each child have a separate handkerchief; teach them not to cough, without turning away from others, etc. In institutions and hospitals cots should be always kept at least four feet apart. “It is a great mistake to "expose children purposely to infection, as is sometimes done when the mother thinks it best for all the children to have a certain complaint together. Many children do not contract some so-called childish diseases at all, and while one member of a family may have a slight attack another may have a very bad one, with serious complications.

“It is always better that infectious cases should be nursed in a fever hospital, but in some isolated districts the patient has to be nursed at home. “The room chosen should be near the bathroom if possible, large and airy. All hangings, such as curtains, chintz covers, and carpets should be removed. Only the necessary furniture should be left behind. Everything used should be washable, and onjy such toys and books as can afterwards be burned should be allowed. Old cieaii muslin or rags should be used instead of handkerchiefs; these should be at once put into paper bags and burned.

“As far as possible one person only should attend to the patient. She should wear a cap covering her hair, and an overall while in the room; leave it hanging just inside the door. She should wash her hands thoroughly before mixing with the rest of the, family. All the crockery, etc., must be kept quite separate and boiled once a day. “When pronounced free from infection, the patient must have a bath, wash the hair, and put on all clean clothes. “The room must be disinfected. The mattress should be sent to a disinfecting station. When the room is opened it should be thoroughly clained with soap and water, windows and doors left open, and thoroughly aired before being used again. “Infectious diseases have three stages:— (a) That of incubation, the time from which the germ gains entrance to the first signs of disease. (b) That of acute illness. (c) That of convalescence. “All three periods are infectious, but the first more so, the discharges being in all cases very infectious. “The following hints apply to the nursing of all fevers: “1. Give only a light diet; plenty of fluid, but do not push food. In the case of a baby, dilute the milk mixture; if an older child, give fluids only. “2. The bowels must be kept open. Fluid magnesia is one of the best aperients to use. “3. Careful nursing. The patient should be kept in bed, lightly clothed, not bathed, but washed over quickly with warm water on the knee. Careful watch must be kept that the patient does not get overheated. The clothes must be changed if damp through excessive perspiration. Sometimes the feet remain cold with a high temperature, in which case a bot bottle must be put at the foot of the cot. “As soon as any of the follwing symptoms are recognised, or only suspected, a doctor should be called in, and the child isolated. It is always better to err on the side of being too careful.” Next week we shall give Miss Liddiard s notes on the incubation periods and distinguishing features of the common infectious fevers.