Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1881-07-28
THE DODGE CITY TIMES.
Written tor the Times.
INFANT HYGIENE.

AOCALiIf -Lu1asy VI poPuASssoS NV
infantile summer diseases have . direct "a
Ito with each other. The mortality among
young children in large cities 10 proverbial.
II oocurs in these cities in their most Dense
ly populated districts, where tenement
houses abound. and in hospitals and ssylums
for children. This Is undoubtedly due to
lack Of care, ventilation, cleanliness Of per-
son and food, and facilities for open air ex-
ercise.
SEAsos-The expression summer COM
plant" is indicative Of the effects Of season
in causing disease among children. There
are two yearly periods Of excessive mortal
iiy occurring in this country; one, the max
iuum in June, July and August, and the
other in tho coolest season, December. JAN
uary and February. In England, where the
summers are cooler and the climate more
equabIe. the greatest mortality is caused BY
diseases OF the respiratory organs in the win
ter. The alienation o: very hot and cold
seasons, as in our climate, il found 70 be At
tended with increase in the death rate at
these particular crises, and strange as it
may seem the mortality is greater at the hot
than at the cold season, Notwithstanding the
bitter severity Of our winters. In fact, NOR
taliiy from cholera infantum occurring at
the heated season causes this preponderance.
Influence Of season is also observed in the
increase Of mortality during unusually hot
summers. In the summer Of 1872, in New
York city, the mean temperature Of July
was 1850 being greater BY 3.43o than
tina, OF the same month for ten years. As
result OF the unusual heat Of this one month,
the summer quarter was the most fatal
among children ever known in the city.
Oar deductions, then, from these general
facs, are that country and suburban districts
and small towns are the most desirable resi-
dences; that children under two years Of age
are prone to sicken and die during the SUM
mer months, their chances increasing or d.
minishing to great extent with q continu-
Gus low or high temperature; that equable
climates with mild summers ere to be pre-
ferred, and that children should be specially
cared for and guarded against any Irregular
iiies at this particular season.
CLorHrNG.-The natural temperature Of
the human body, taken in mouth and arm
pit, is about go Fahrenheit. that Of the
child being a little higher than the adult.
The object of clothing is to maintain the
temperature of the body at the normal point
by the prevention Of radiation of heat in
winter and favofing il in summer. The in-
uring of children TO the lighte-t possible
clothing is an excellent method if intelli-
gently carried cut. 1t causes them to grow
rapidly. makes them vigorous and hardens
them 20 they are less likel, to contract die
ease This method sometimes result. disas-
tro,,.ly from mistakes made through igno-
rance or carelersnes. The phyeician il
therefore 10th TO lay stress upon it. Thick,
soft, white fi,nnels should be used during the
winter, especially, protecting the chest, alb
domen, upper and lower extremities. The
head should be KEEP, as cool as consistent
with comfort. These fannels should be
cleaned frequently, ne secretions and injuri-
ous gases accumulate in them rapidly. They
should be thoroughly dry and soft before
using again. Many children have lost their
Lives from being clothed in damp flannel
Soft, thin white merino or f.nnel should be
u .ed in summer, sufficiently light TO prevent
discomfort. This r-tsYds too rapid eysp-