The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1883-08-04
Cholera Infantum.

With the arrival of the extreme warm
weather cholera infantum has again
made it's appearance. Four deaths from
this disease were reported at the Health
Office yesterday, and it is probable that
the number will be increased from day
to day until the last of August No
malady is more dreaded by mothers,
and none is perhaps more rapid in its
action, and so universally fatal in its
results. Daring the heated term the
little ones are never safe, and mothers
can not exercise too much care regard
ing their children's food, clothing and
bodily condition. " Cholera infantum,
said DR.. j, +. Isom, yesterday, to a
LeaCler reporter, sis as much like
Asiatic cholera as it is possible to imag-
inc. 1t is. caused principally by ex-
IRENE heat. When't the temperature at
night ranges from seventy degrees up
ward many eases of the disease may be
expected, but if the nights are cool
there is not so much danger, no matter
how hot the days. During the day, let
the weather be ever so warm. a child
will not be so much affected by the heat
as while sleeping, and for this reason
the warm nights cause most of the
trouble. Extreme heat in u child's
body will arrest the process Of dges-
ton, diarrhea ensues, and if this is not
checked it viii eventually run into
cholera infantum, the little sufferer dy-
ing within a few hours after being at
tackled, while in other cases a child
may be sick for week with summer
complaint before cholora infantum en-
sues. The discharge in cases of sum-
mer complaint is filled with particles
of curdled milk which can not be di-
gested, but in the last stages of cholera
infantum the discharge is clear and
colorless, like rice-water, and is filled
with albumen. This discharge is moth
ing but the watery portion OF the
blood which leaks through the intes-
tines. Many children die just as if
they had bled to death, but in most
cases of cholera infantum the patients
are seized with cramps and spasms,
dying in great agony. Teething chill
dren are more apt than others to be
afflicted with this disease, for the reason
that the nervous system is in a constant
state of irritation, and the reflex nerv-
Gus action generally affects the stomach
first.
''Yes,'' continued the doctor. ''in the
great majority of cases children die
from neglect; not that parents do not
try to save their lives, but because they
do not know how to take care of the
/, little ones. During the warm months
the babies should be kept as quiet as
possible. During the day it is good
idea to give them plenty of fresh air.
They should be permitted to play out
Of doors in the shade all day. and before
they are put to bed at night a cool bath
would reduce their temperature and fit
them for good nights sleep, Mothers
who nurse children should avoid heat
ing their blood, and the bottles from
which youngsters drink should be
scalded daily and kept perfectly clear
of sour milk. No child suffering from
diarrhea should be permitted to go a
day without medical attention. These
directions, if followed, together with a
proper attention to dress, will, doubt
less, save the life of many an infant. -
Cleveland Leader.