Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-04-13
SCURvY AT HOME
Treatment of a Disease More Common
than Generally Supposed.

Treatment of a Disease More Common
than Generally Supposed.
The chief predisposing cause Of
scurvy is a diet deficient in fresh
fruits and vegetables, a monotonous
diet and unhygenic surroundings. AT
one time scurvy was believed to be
disease only found aboard ships,
among sailors who had been fed up
on stale, salty and canned foods. We
know now that the condition Is wide
spread and may be found among the
rich as we'll as the poor. The disease
may be suspected whenever there Is
any evidence Of loosing Of the teeth,
with spongy, bleeding gums and an Of
fensive breath. Other manifestations
of i'll health will be noticed at the
same time. In adults there will be
great weakness and lassitude, and
sometimes patches under the skin, as
if from hemorrhages.
Infants sometimes have scurvy,
caused by faulty diet, such as by the
prolonged use of condensed milk, steri-
lized milk, or proprietary foods. A
child suffering from this disease Is
pale and seemingly bloodless. The
legs may be stiff and immovable as II
paralyzed, or they may be swollen and
very tender and painful If touched
Occasionally the mouth shows inside
the spongy germs and tiny patches
Of red blood vessels. Parents or care
takers at the first intimation Of sour
wv in a child should Immediately call
in a physician. Unless a suitable diet
is at once prescribed and tonic reme-
dies given to relieve the existing con-
ditions a small child may not live.
The prevention and cure Of scuryy
is correction of the diet. The adult
requires fresh vegetables and fresh
fruits every day-better twice day.
Orange or fresh pineapple juice to be-
gin the breakfast, and lemon juice
1.-TWO tablespoonfuls in unsweetened
water) directly after luncheon and din
ner No canned, dried or preserved
foods or fruits should be used, nor
salty foods and pork products. Pota-
toes, all fresh vegetables and especl-
ally the green ones (such as lettuce,
CdDDdSe, Celery, oIlloIS)p
spinach, asparagus, fresh peas, should
make up the daily rations, with fresh
meats or fresh fish. Boiled or roast
beef or mutton once day will aid in
restoring and preserving the health:
An iron tonic Is sometimes required
for a month or two before a cure can
be perfected. Infantile scurvy Is cured
by the use Of fresh cows milk, beef
juice and orange juice.
Fresh air and sunshine are OF great
importance in the treatment. Four or
five hours daily should be spent out
of doors in the sunshine and fresh air.
The rooms occupied at night should
be kept wide open all day for thor
Ough ventilation. The open window
during the hours Of sleeping should
not be where ii will place the sleeper
in a draught. Ten to twelve hours
rest in bed at night are essential dur
ing the treatment Of combat the weak
ness and exhaustion. The care Of the
mouth must not be neglected. A
good antiseptic wash, such as a sat
urated solution Of boric acid (prepared
by dissolving four heaping teaspoon
fuls of boric acid powder in pint Of
boiling water) should be used three
or four times day to rinse out the
mouth. Scurvy is always durable II
treatment is begun early enough and
strictly carried out.