The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-04-23
BABIES.
Their Ailments, ama Flow 20 TrcaI
Them.

Their Ailments, ana Flow 20 Treat
Them.
The following synopsis of an address
before a class in Chicago medical
college upon the Stomachic Troubles
of Children" delivered by DIR. L. G.
Duncan, will prove interesting and In
structiye to mothers
The doctor began by saying that the
troubles of the stomach were the most
important to be understood of al the
diseases of children. He wished his
words might reach the ears OF every
mother in Christendom. The doctor de-
scribed the condition Of child's stom-
ach, its functions, size and form. Some
children were alkaline; others aciduous.
In the former the stomach was small,
with well-developed muscular coats, and
are found lifted up under the ribs in the
side by the size and pressure of the liver.
The stomachs of the acid children lie
more horizontal, because the stomach Is
smaller. There were four kinds OF
diseases of the stomach mentioned.
Acute gastric catarrh was generally the
first baby trouble, the symptoms being
that of splitting up its food. 1t was an
old adage that n splitting baby was a
healthy one, but it was not true adage.
The splitting is the first symptom OF
gastric catarrh. A case in point was
here mentioned. The child was large
and fieshy, but was continually splitting
The disease was due to its mother being
too fieshy. A change in her diet and an
appropriate remedy effected the cure.
Another symptom of the disease, in adj
Il IL
vomiting. Now, the child Is supposed
to be teething, and is, of course, neg
lected. 1t has the collie after time,
and, by-and-by, if the disease develops
and vomiting is very profuse, the child's
ailment is termed indigestion-a term
which should be driven out of the coun-
try. Such children are very susceptible
to colds. One great cause of all this
trouble was that the milk fed the child
was too rich. A number Of photographs
of babies were shown, showing their
appearance when troubled with gastric
catarrh.
The doctor next referred to chronic
gastric .catarrh. One peculiarly of this
disease was that the children troubled
with it were great eaters, so while they
had the appearance of thriving the
mothers looked poor, and as if half-fed.
The symptoms of this disease are colo,
vomiting ut irregular times, and sleep
lessness. Sometimes diarrhea was pres
, ent, but in other cases there was marked
constipation. Sometimes the collie was
only after eating, and at other times
existed for twenty-four hours. As the
, result of this form of disease there were
frequently eruptions of the skin. This
disease was usually lasting, and was
attributed to various causes, but was
really due to one. The condition of the
tongue was an index of the disease. II
was broad and rather pale. The cpl
thelial was diluted, leaving the papilla
, standing up prominently.
The other two forms of diseases were
the acute and chrome inflammation OF
the stomach, found chiefly in thin, pale
subjects. The tongue appeared small
and pointed, and redder than usual, es.
, pecially about the tip. This form OF
disease was characterized by severe vOm-
iting and distressing colo. The disease
was frequently hereditary ; children i'm.
perfectly developed are found troubled
with it, and some of them cry incessant.
ly several months after birth. The child
usually has some fever, hot head, and
, perspires. Sometimes eruptions on the
head appear. This condition of the sys.
tenn was due to too much acidity in the
alimentary canal. In older children the
disease manifested itself in the redness
of the tongue, and there was usually
constipation, little appetite, and sleep
lessness. The mothers expression that
1.-THE child's face was the best part OF
the child" was sure sign that the child
was suffering with chronic inflammation
of the stomach. These children were
frequently INDUCED in late suppers
, they were very active, always in motion,
and subject to severe vomiting. They
take cold, lack heat, and ore easily af
fected by change of temperature. They
have no appetite, no thirst, and are poo,
sleepers.
In the cure of the first disease men.
toned. the doctor believed the question
of food of much Importance As n rule
food given to children is too rich anG
too sweet, and there is need that the
food be stronger and contain more ca
sine. The disease was sometimes pro
duced by living on cream or rich, sweet
food. To cure this disease it was only
necessary to change the child's diet.
In the management of children suf-
fering from acute gastritis, the doctor
found that oiling them all over once q
day tended to fatten them up and take
out the acid in them. These children
need a richer food, and to be fed in
smaller quantities. They should be fed
with care and regularity