New Britain herald., 1916-01-22

som metimes overlooked
 But the combination of heat and dlarrhea is hardly more serious for the baby in the months of july and August, than are cold and respiratory diseases in winter.
 Deserves Special Attention. It is plain then, that the winter care of the baby deserves special attention f1 om everyone interested in his health and well being.
 It has been dem quite con- CIustvely that a large part of the deaths from summer diarrhea 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 he heated months. The same doc Urine is now being applied to the group of what are commonly called winter diseases of babies and chil- Gren, namely, bronchitis, pneumonia, "colds," and the like, which are, like diarrhea, 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- s5st both in winter and summer ol suitable food, in the right amounts, at the right times, cleanliness, sufhc1ent sleep, plenty of fresh, clean alr 'o breathe, and protection from exposure to infectious diseases. It Is chelf1y the lack of these two latter requlre- ments that causes the winter illnesses among babies.
 Stale Overheated Air.
 It is not the cold of winter which makes people sick, ordinarily, but rather the stale overheated air inside our houses and public buildings, which we breathe and re-breathe, thus lassing disease germs about from one to another Babies are particularly liable to be infected in this way, be- cause they spend a large part of their time indoors, and because mothers are 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 a germ anG very contagious, being easily pH ssed from one person to another in coughing and sneezing. A nursing mother with a cold should tie thin cloth or veil over her mouth and nose while nursing 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 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 a baby is that con- tagious cold is very often the fore runner of bronchitis and pneumo onla, which diseases cause the deaths of many thousands of young babies every year. and which are infinitely easier to prevent than to cure.
 Most Effective Weapon.
 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 enough to suit us we shut them so tightly as to make the air unfit to breathe, after a few hours. To, counteract this ten dency mothers should see to it that all the occupied rooms of the house are thoroughly aired at least twice every day in the coldest weather, 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 v~ry low, the baby should be taken into 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 chilling the air of his sleeping room.
 Have Windows Open.
 If the cold is excessive, or if there is a raw, damp wind blowing or rain or snow is falling, the baby should be given his daily airing in a room with the windows open, or on a protected porch, dressing him warmly in out of door clothing. He should be taken out during the middle of the day, for a little while, never long enough to run the risk of chilling him. This applies especially to young and deli cate babies. As a child gets old enough to walk about and thus exer- else himself he can be allowed to play for some time in an open room or where he is sheltered from the wind
 But an airing every day does not take the place of fresh air in the house, day and night, and to secure sufficient ventilation for health the mother must be on the watch to see that the rooms are opened and the air changed at frequent intervals