The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-01-22
BABY'S CARE IN WINTER.
Cold and Respiratory Diseases Demand
Attention.


So much emphasis is constantly placed
upon the necessity for special care of the
baby in summer, when the heat is excess
siye and diarrheal diseases at their
worst, that the fact that winter, too,
has its special dangers for the baby is
sometimes overlooked.
But the combination of heat and diar-
rhea is hardly more serious for the baby
in the months OF July and August, than
are cold and respiratory diseases i'll win
ter.
1t is plain then, that the winter care
of the baby deserves special attention
from everyone interested in his health
and well being.
1t has been demonstrated quite con
elusiyely that large part of the deaths
from summer diarrhea are needless, be-
cause this disease may be cured in many
cases, and prevented entirely in many
more by the proper care and feeding OF
the baby during the heated months. The
same doctrine is now being applied to
the group of what are commonly called
winter diseases" of babies and children,
namely, bronchitis, pneumonia, "colds,"
and the like, which are, like diarrhea, to
a large extent, preventable by the intel
ligent care of the baby, and by surround
ing him with proper living conditions.
These proper living conditions consist
both in winter and summer of suitable
food, in the right amounts, at the right
times, cleanliness, sufficient sleep, plenty
OF fresh, clean air to breathe, and pro-
ueetion from exposure to infectious dis
eases 1t is chiefly the lack of these two
latter requirements that causes the win
ter Illnesses among babies.
1t is not the cold of winter which
makes people sick, ordinarily, but rath !
err the stale over heated air inside our
houses and public buildings, which we
breathe and rebreathe, thus passing dis
ease germs about from one to another.
Babies are particularly liable to be in
Iected in this way, because they spend
, large part of their time indoors, and
Keep the baby warm the rooms must be
;ept shut tight.
A mother should use every means in
ng cold" as it is commonly described.
ng cold. as it is commonly described.
Colds are due to a germ and are very
being easily passed from one
,erson TO another in coughing or sneez-
ng. A nursing mother with a cold
hould tie a thin cloth or veil over her
mouth and nose while nursing the baby, :
nj should be careful never to cough or ;
neeze in his face, nor kiss him on the
Mouth. She should be particularly care
vi not to use her own handkerchief for
ne baby, nor sleep with him. while the !
isease lasts. Many babies contract !.
hese colds by being taken up and kissed !
Y visitors. and it is "a wise rule to keep
he baby away from the presence of peo-
lie who are coughing and sneezing. The !
Jason for this great care as regards
ably is that a contagious cold is very J
ften the forerunner of bronchitis and
which diseases cause the
naths of many thousands of young ba-
les every year. and which are infinite
easier to prevent than to cure. U
Fresh air is the most effective weapon
it'll which to fight the diseases of the .
,spiratory tract. This does not neces- b
rily mean cold air, for cold air may be
ale. and warm air may be pure. The
of most American houses is
ulty, since in order to keep them warm
Tough to suit us we shut them so tight II
as to make the air unfit to breathe W
ter few hours. To counterfeit this N
ndency mothers should see to it that
the occupied rooms of the house are h
oroughly aired at least twice every day HI
the coolest weather. while in moder- II
e weather there should be as nearly
instant a supply of fresh air through
{. the house. night and day, as can be 81
anaged. I'll
When the temperature outside is very
", the baby should be taken into
lrm room while his nursery is being al
red, and at night his bed should be
ielded from direct draft If there is
communicating room, the window in
at room may be opened, if there is
niger of chilling the air Of his sleeping
lm.
II the cold is excessive. or if there is a
y. damp wind blowing or rain or snow He
falling. the baby should be given his in
ily airing in room with the windows bu
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