The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-07-01
A TIMELY PAPER.
CARE OF INFANTS DURING THE
SUMNER MONTHS.
some Excellent Advice to Mothers
by DR.. Beatty-The BEST Dfet--A
Word to Dairymen.

Health Commissioner Beatty is de-
terrnined to reduce the terrible infan-
tile death rate during the summer
months q nd has prepared the following
paper, addressed to the mothers Of
the city and territory alike, giving the
preventives of cholera infantum, the
request having been made by the sani-
eary committee of the city council:
1t is shown by statistics that out of
every one hundred live born children
fifty die before the close of the fifth
year. 1t is further established that a
le1ge majority Of these deaths are from
diseases due to improper care and bad
surroundings, and strictly preventible.
1t is my purpose to give rules for the
prevention of one of these infant-de-
stroyers, which caused more deaths
IN Salt Lake city last year in three
months than 6iphtheria, scarlet fever,
measles and the other infectious dis
eases AL combined during the entire
year, viz: cholera infaacum. Correct
dy speaking, this term applies to only
one of several forms of diarrhoea, or
summer complaint; but inasmudh as it
Is popularity used to describe them all,
and since they are dependent upon the
same conditions, and subject to the
same rules for prevention, no distinc-
ton is necessary for the present pur-
pose. II should be stated, however,
that the most careful distinction should
de made in applying treatment; but as
this is the part of the physician it will
not he discussed.
1t is proper to first understand that
HOT WEATHER DOES NOT CAUSE
CHOLERA INFANTUM.
If it were so no infant would escape.
Other factors are necessary. The eff
feet Of the heat of summer is to lower
vitality and to weaken the digestive
powers. 1t also favors food fermenta
nons and the development of the bac
Nerfa that are now proven to be the
necessary factor in the production of
the disease.
CAUSE OF CHOLERA INFANTUA.
Heat merely renders the child sus-
ceptible. Improper feeding and unsan-
ruag,y surroundings cause cholera in
f3ntun. To meet the first indication
special attention should be given to
keeping the infant as cool as possible,
out Of doors, in the shade when prac-
ticable; in any event always supplied
with The greatest abundance of fresh
air. This is of the utmost Importance.
The clothing should be the highest of
preferable. a thin layer of linen or
muslin may be put next the skin where
there is much perspiUation or a sensi-
tive skin. 1t is very important in this
mountain region TO supply sufficient
clothing at night.
1T is a good practice to give a good
cold sponge bath at least twice daily
during the heated season.
FEEDING
OF far more Importance than all 9TH
er considerations in the prevention of
the disease is the subject of feeding
Here The most scrupulous and intelli-
gent care is imperative By adhering
conscientiouSly to the following rules,
neglecting nothing as trivial, every
mother may be reasonably sure that
her child will be spared from the mall
ady which causes her so much appre-
hension and terror during the summer
months
NURSING INFANTS.
In nursing infants avoid overlooking.
An infant under three months should
not be nursed oftener than once in two
or three hours during the day and not
more than twice during the night If
there are signs Of thirst between nurs-
ing give a little water that has been
boiled. Children frequently cry be-
cause of simple thirst, and water may
be given in this way frequently. If
the quantity and quality of mothers
milk is sufficient, avoid giving any
other kind Of food. Great harm results
from violating this rule.
ARTIFICIALLY FED INFANTS.
When from any cause mothers milk
cannot be furnished and resort must be
had to artificial feeding-whieh is al
ways an evil under ten months of age
the best substitute is properly prepared
cows milk. The milk should be first
Sterllized or boiled. The purpose of
this is 10 destroy the germs contained
in it. Boiling is simpler, bgt steriIiza-
ton is preferable. One method of per
forming the latter is to place a bottle
or jar containing milk in a pan of
warm water, which then heat until
scalding hot. maintaining this tempera-
ture just under the boiling point for an
hour The same purpose can be ac-
cOmplished by making use of an oat-
meal boiler. The milk, whether boiled
or sterilized, should be deposited i'm
1nediateIy in a cool place-a refriger-
atOT if possible. Where this is fnprac-
ticable and no ice can be afforded.
bottle containing the milk should be
wrapped in wet cloths. evaporation
from the latter serving to lower the
temperature.
DANGER IN CELLARS.
1t is unsafe to keep milk il. cellars in
this city. This assertion is made posi-
lively and is based upon the most care
full observation. The ground air which
would be absorbed by the milk is
everywhere polluted and dangerous.
Before feeding. the sterilized or boiled
milk should be diluted with boiled
water, or. better, with barley water,
the latter prepared by boiling pearl
barley in water and straining it. The
extent Of dilution should be according
TO the age Of the child. In young in
fants the mixture should contain from
one-third to one-half milk. gradually
increasing with the chiid's age The
addition OF a little cream. and milk
sugar, which latter can be obtained in
drug store, is advanta geous. The
quantity to be used at each nursing nm
til the infant is two months old is four
ounces; this to be increased, according
10 age, to six and eight ounces. When
infants are constipated, oatmeal should
be substituted for barley in the mix
ture. If curds are passed in the stools.
lime water should be used. substituting
it for a portion Of the barley water The
proportion Of lime water should be one
third of the quantity given. The use
Of lime water is always a good pre-
cautionary measure during the hottest
days.
FLOUR BALL.
1t occurs that sometimes. despite all
precautions, milk cannot be digested
If white curds continue to appear in
the motions, then it is better to furnish
a substitute. The first shat should be
selected is the flour bah raaIla nv, Moo