The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-02-19
SICK CHILDREN,
4 Topic That Ought to Greatly Interest
Parents.

4 Topic That Ought to Greatly Interest
Parents
It is said that half the children who
are born die before the age of five years.
There is little doubt that proper knowl-
edge and care would prevent half, at
least, of this terrible mortality, and also
half the sickness which does not result
in death. Yet with all the knowledge
and care which the most devoted and
intelligent mother can exercise will
children sometimes be sick, and what
to do. for them and how to make them
the most comfortable. are questions of
very great Importance with every
mother Most cases of severe illness
may be prevented by carefully noting
the symptoms, and meeting the disease
in its first stages. An experience of
twenty years with q family has proved
to me that mothers may do much to
prevent and cure disease without call
inc a physician by the use of simple
medicines and regulating the diet, etc.
of the child. l know a family where
the children think it rather funny to
have bad cold or slight attack of in
digestion, for when one of them Is thus
slightly i'll the mother prescribes, and
allows the other children to ''play doe
tor by administering the elficient but
agreeable sugar pills. Another plays
nurse by bolstering up the little patient.
and carrying him slice of toast and a
cup of weak tea. If the patient wants
to hearreadng or story all the family
is at his service, if possible; it is little
incO1venient sometimes, hut it is better
than to hear the child wOTry and fret,
and increase his maladY by unhappi-
ness. Ii the child is too. young for a
story, give him almost anything in the
house that will take his mind from him.
self and please him.
Thus by prompt treatment and pleas
ant surroundings children may be spared
weeks of sickness, and perhaps death
itself, while the mother may save her
self nights of watching and days OF
anxiety. and sometimes save the little
life that is dearer than her own. L think
mothers are not generally aware how
much they can help children to bear
the ills and accidents of life by training
them to endure pain even at an early
age. We all know that fortitude and
patience actually lessen our sutierlngS,
and also increase the chances OF our re-
covery. When your child gets little
bump or scratch or cut, kiss, it carefully
and try to divert his mind to sOmo
other subject; or if he is, old enough,
reason with him by tellingthat we must
all bear pain more or less, and that he
must be brave and train himself to bear
without complaining. know little boy
who was laughingly told when he got
hurt that he must '.grin and bear it. "
One day he got hurt quite badly. ani
when his father came home he told hin,
of it. Did it hurt you mucha3 asked
his father. '-Yes, it did," replied the
boy. ''but | gtOinned and beGred 1t;
didn' Il, mammal"
Another little fellow, four years old,
was one day running across the room,
when he stumbled and fell against the
stove, burning himself severely. He
cried from pain at first, as any child
would do: but in few minutes
while his mother was trying to relieve
and comfort him-he stitled his sObs anc
attempted to smile, while the tears were
running down his face, and his whole
| frame quivering with pain, and said: -
bear it, don't |, mammal" In this cast
the effort to be quiet was too great, anc
the mother was obliged TO tell the chllC
that it was better for him to cry wheI
he was suffering SO much A good
loud hearty cry is both natural and nee
essarv sometimes, but whining and fret
fulness, or croSsness. as it Is usual.
termed in cases of triling injury or i'll
ness. should be corrected. L know
a family. four of whom, between the
ares of six and fourteen. had the scarlet
fever not long since, and through it all
not a fretful word nor an unnecessary
complaint was heard from one of them
Indeed. the older ones seemed to thinE
more of saving work for their mother
than of having their own wants sup
piled. They had it very lightly, it i
true, but it was that terrible disease
which IN its mildeSt form IS far iron
agreeable Mothers, take care of th'
little ones; be watchful and patient, ant
| though it may cost you labor and self
den al. YOU VIII be amply repaid by see
ing them grow up healthy and happy
Take care of them now. and they viii
take care OF you when sickness or az
shall render you incapable OF taking carr
of Yourself. = Christian Gt WOrt.