The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1916-05-25

dren through this period Of stress and
peril in safety.
The chief cause Of sickness and
death in infants IS improper food.
and twenty-five per cent of the deaths
under one year Of age are due 70 il
testinal diseases.
The chance for food 10 become unfit
for use Is greater in the warm months,
because at this time the chance fo-
infection with disease germs IS great
est, and also food is more apt to be
spoiled by heat
Furthermore, the delicate machin-
cry Of the childs body may be dis
arranged By heat and humidity and
rendered less able to resist the at
tacks Of disease germs or the poisons
contained in spoiled food stuff
Children are very ap. to have bowel
trouble during the heated season, and
many Of these show merely that ma
tu-e is trying to free the body Of the
child Of harmful materials, but it
should not be forgotten that any bowel
complaint occurring in babies in the
summer time, may be the outward
and visible sign Of the beginning Of
serious illness. Since improper food
is the most common cause OF this
bowe. complaint, it is the sacred duty
Of every mother 10 provide her child
with proper food, which should be
carefully given at regular intervals.
This means increased work for the
mother, but this is more than repaid
by the child's gain in health, weight
and strength.
The actual number OF deaths from
intestinal diseases of infants under
two years Of age, occurring during the
year 1912 in the registration area"
which comprises about two thirds of
the total population of the United
! States was 42,4S2.
OF this number 24,29S, or more than
half of them, occurred in the months
of July, August and September. 1t has
been demonstrated quite conclusiyely
that large part of these deaths from
summer diarrhoea are needless, and
to large extent preventable by the
intelligent care of the baby, and by
surrounding him with proper living
conditions. It is rare indeed that the
father takes more than superficial no.
tice of the questions Of infant care
ard feeding.
These responsibilities should be
shared with the mother as far as pos
sible, and he should have an intimate
knowledge OF the environment and
care necessary in order that his off
spring may thrive and develop into
useful citizens. The major burdens
in the rearing of babies necessarily
fall on the mother, but her task is
made easier when the father does his
part in promoting the welfare OF his
children.
It is difficult, indeed, to formulate
fixed rules for the care of infants; the
common sense OF the mother must
largely be depended upon for the pro-
tecting care so necessary during the
first year OF life.
The following paragraphs give
briefly the important measures that
should BE- carried out 70 avoid risking
the baby's life. until the most critical
period has been safely passed
l. Breast feeding is most import
ant and should be continued for the
first year, If possible
2 If the baby cannot be nursed by
the mother, modified COWS milk is the
best substitute.
g. Keep the baby cool and clean
during hot weather.
/. Give plenty OF boiled water to
the baby.
5. Keep flies away from the baby,
its milk, nursing bottles, and all uten-
sis used in preparing food.