The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1916-01-24
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3: THE CARE OF THE ::
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(The first of a series
of six articles
=


the heat is excessive and diarrheal
diseases at their worst, that the fact
that winter has its special dangers for
the baby is sometimes overlooked.
But the combination of heat and
diarrhoea is hardly more serious for
the baby in the months of July and
August, than are cold and respiratory
diseases in winter
1t is plain, then, that the winter
care of the baby deserves special at
tention from everyone interested in
his health and we'll being.
1t has been demonstrated quite
conclusively that a large part of the
deaths from summer diarhhoea are
needless, because 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, name
ly, bronchitis, pneumonia colds
and the like, which are, like diar-
rhoea. to a large extent, preventable
by the intelligent care of the baby,
and by surrounding him with proper
living conditions.
These proper living conditions con-
sist both in winter and summer OF
suitable food, in the right amounts,
al the right times, cleanliness, sut-
fcient sleep. plenty of fresh, clean
air to breathe, and protection from
exposure to infectious diseases. 1t is
chiefly the lack of these two latter
that causes the winter
among babies.
1t is not the cold of winter which
makes people sick, ordinarily, hut
rather the stale overheated air inside
our houses and public buildings which
we breathe and re-breathe, thus pass
ing disease germs about from one 20
another. Babies are particularly liza
Bile to be infected in this way, be-
cause they spend large part of their
time indoors, and because mothers ale
apt to feel that to keep the baby
warm the rooms must be kept shut
tight.
A mother should use every means
in her power to protect her baby from
taking cold" as it is commonly de-
scribed. Colds" are due to germ
and are very contagious, being easily |
passed from one person to another in |
or sneezing. \ nursing
mother with a cold should tie thin |
cloth or veil over her mouth ana
nose while nursing the baby, and
should be careful never to cough or
sneeze in his face, nor kiss him IN
the mouth. She should be particu-
larly careful not to use her own hard |
kerchief for the baby, nor sleep with |
him. while the disease lasts. Many |
babies contract these colds by being |
taken up and kissed by visitors, and /!
it is a wise rule to keep the baby |
away from the presence of visitors |
who are coughing and sneezing. The
reason for this great care as regards |
a baby is that a contagious cold !
is very often the forerunner of bron- |
chitis and pneumonia, which diseases |
cause the deaths of many thousands |
of young babies every year, and |
which are infinitely easier to prevent |
than to cure.
Fresh air is the most effective /
weapon with which to fight the dis
eases of the respiratory tract. This |
does not necessarily mean cold air, |
for cold air may be stale, and warm |
air may be pure. The ventilation OF |
most American houses is faulty, since /
in order to keep them warm enou-h |
to suit Us, We smut them so ughiI! |
as to make the air unfit to breathe, |
after a few hours. To counteract this |
tendency mothers should see to it
that all the occupied rooms of the |
house are thoroughly aired at least
twice every day in the coolest wealth
er. while in moderate weather there |
should be as nearly constant a supply |
of fresh air throughout the house,
night and day, as can be managed.
When the temperature outside is
very low, the baby should be taken
into a warm room while his nursery |
is being aired, and at night, his bed |
should be shielded from a direct |
draft. If there is a communicating
room, the window in that room may
be opened, if there is danger of chill
ing the air of his sleeping room.
If the cold is excessive. or if there