East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1916-01-24

gers for the baby is sometimes over
| looked
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
tentiQn from everyone interested in
his health and weel-being.
1t has been demonstrated quite con-
clusively that a large part of the
deaths from summer diarrhoea are
needless because this disease may be
cured in many cases, and prevented
entirely in many more ny the pro-
per care and feeding of the baby dur
| ing the heated months. The same
doctrine is now being applied to the
group Of what are commonly called
: winter diseases" of babies and chill
dren, namely, bronchitis. pneumonia,
Colds and the like, which are, like
diarrhoea, to a large extent, prevent
! able 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 simmer OF
/ suitable food, in the right amounts,
at the right times. cleanliness, suf-
/ ficient sleep, plenty Of fresh, clean air
to breathe, and protection from ex-
posure to infectious diseases 1t is
chiefly the lack of these two latter re-
( quirements that causes the winter ill
nesses among babies
1t is not the cold Of winter which
makes people sick, ordinarily, but
rather the stale over-heated air in
side the houses and public buildings,
which we breathe and rebreathe,
thus passing disease germs about from
one to another. Babies are particu-
larly liable to be infected in this way
because they spend large part OF
their time indoors, and because
mothers are apt to feel that to keep
the bpby 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
coughing or sneezing A nursing
mother with a cold should tie a thin
cloth or veil over her mouth and nose
while nursin" the baby, and should be
/ careful never to cough or sneeze in
his face. nor kiss him on the mouth.
She should be particularly careful not
/ TO use her own handkerchief 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 pres
ence Of people who are coughing and
sneezing The reason for this great
care as regards baby is that a con
tagiOUs cold is very often the fore
runner Of bronchitis and pneumonia,
which diseases cause the deaths Of
many thousands Of young babies ever
year and which are infinitely easier
to prevent than to cure.
Fresh air is the most Elective wea-
pom with which to fight the disease
of the respiratory tract This does
not necessarily mean cold air, for cold
air may be stale, and warm air may
be pare. The ventilation Of most Am
erican houses is faulty since in order
t. keep them warm enough to suit us
we shut them so tightly as to make
the air unfit TO breathe. after a few
hours. TO counteract this tendency
mothers should see to 1t that all the
occupied rooms Of the house are
thoroughly aired at least twice every
day IN the eodest weather, while in
moderate weather there should be as
nearly constant supply Of fresh air
through the house. night and day. a.
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 q direct draft
. 10 tErro &. . g,.t,r.ttr4.. .-.....