Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1913-06-03
MORTALITY;
ITS PREVENTION
Terrible Responsibility of Dis
eased Parents Explained by
State Board of Health.
Diseases of Childhood.

Atlanta, Ga-The terrible respon
sibility of parents who are suffering
from some constitutional disease and
yet dare to bring children into the
world, is strikingly set forth in a
statement just issued by the Georgia
State Board of Health, explaining in
plain words the influence of heredity
on infant mortality.
People who refuse to face these
facts, says the Board of Health, are
deliberately laying both themselves
and their offspring open to untold
misery and suffering. Parents at
1icted with tuberculosis, heart disc
ase, syphilis, kidney disease, epilepsy
or other serious constitutional disc
asses, cannot expect to produce a child
with normal resistance to disease
and unfavOrable environment, any
more than a diseased plant can be
expected to produce a perfect flower
Of all hereditary diseases, syphilis
is undoubtedly the one which works
the greatest havoc The child may
never come into the world alive at all,
or if it does, it may be hopelessly af-
flicted. Ricketts,, monsters, blindness,
hydrocephalus, insanity, are only a
few of the evils that may result.
A healthy, normal child, can be
produced only by healthy normal par
ents. Even then it is extremely
necessary that prior to the birth of
the infant the mother be freed as
much as possible from worries and
cares, that her surroundings be sani-
tary and cheerful: and that her diet,
exercise and clothing be properly reg
ulated.
Importance of Proper Feeding.
But even after the healthy child
has opened its little eyes to the sun
shine, the responsibility of the par.
ents is equally great. No dollhouse
plant is more susceptible to unfavor-
able influences than newborn
child. Proper food, fresh air, bath
ing and proper clothing, are the chief
essentials.
Improper feeding is the greatest
single cause of infant mortality. For
information concerning the proper
feeding of infants, the Georgia State
Board of Health has issued a circular,
No. IL, entitled Keep Baby Well
During the Summer which may be
had for the asking
Above all, says the Board OF
Health, do not get the erroneous idea
that there are some diseases of child.
hood which the child is bound to
have, and which are so trivial that
the sooner they are over with the
better. This is altogether wrong.
Practically all the diseases of child.
hood can lead to serious complications
and permanent weakness or death
Children should never be exposed to
contagious ailments, if it can possibly
be avoided, and those suffering from
measles, scarlet fever, chicken-pox
whooping cough, mumps, diptheria
ETC., should be isolated, quarantined
and attended by competent physian
Canifaru Praeaufioos
A light, airy upstairs room is pre-
ferable. If possible, the bed should
be an iron one. The single, firm mat
tress should be entirely covered with
rubber sheet or oil cloth, and on
top of this the sheets, blankets and
counterpart should be spread. Quilts
should not be used. The pillow
should also have a rubber or oil cloth
covering under the slip. Carpets, pic
lures, and all unnecessary furniture
should be removed. All clothing that
goes from the room should be soaked
in a disinfecting solution before II
is sent out to be washed. Your ply
stefan will tell you how. All other
sanitary precautions should be taken
! such as separate dishes for the
sole use of the patient. All dish
charges must be thoroughly disinfect
ed before they are taken from the
room. The nurse and physician
should be the only persons allowed
in the room, and they should cover
their clothing and hair with washable
cap and gown. Hands should be
washed and disinfected.
When the child RECEIVERS, 1t should
be bathed, disinfected, wrapped in a
sheet wet with disinfecting solution
and carried into an adjoining room to
be dressed. In event of death, the
body should be disinfected, sealed in
coffin and given private burial as
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