The Washington times., 1917-01-10
POPULAR MEDICINE
BY DR.. HIRSHDERG
Intelligent Observation of Rules
of Hygiene viii De-
crease Illness.
~ DIR. LEONARD X. HIRsHBERG.

By DIR. LEONARD X. HIRSHBERG.
The average, uneducated, careless,
ignorant mother will usually give her
little one a good shake when he be-
gins to "boo-hoo" and tell him that
the goblins, policeman, bad man,
ghost or some other form of fear
to the child mind will get him IL he
doesn't stop crying. At the sound
of such threats, the youngster usually
opens his eyes wide and STILES the
baby sobs that are really vent for
his feelings and exercise for his
lungs.
Such a procedure is often to be seen
in downtown crowds. Some mothers
heartlessly drag tiny toddlers through
crowded streets, forgetting that the
children at their sides soon grow
restless, uninterested, tired out and
sleepy. At the slightest sign OF peev-
ishness, which is TN entirely natural
thing, and the sight of two big. shiny
tears on the chubby cheeks, an impa-
tient mother shakes or talks harshly
to her child. Fdr a baby to shrek
on the streets is a terrible thing, SO
thinks such a mother. For him to
give exercise to his lungs is bad
enough, and to cry softly is even I'M
pardonable.
Good Cry Aids Lungs.
The good cry" that a baby bankers
after is usually the one that some
mothers often do their utmost to sup
press. 1t Is an expression often used,
and the term good cry" is very ap-
appropriate. Crying Is usually associa-
ind main
although even when this is true, cry
ing is a relief which does much good.
There are many occasions when cry
ing, and violent crying, is OF the most
decided benefit to children, and also
to adults.
During crying a great change takes
place in the manner of breathing.
Expiration, or out-breathtngs, are
prolonged sometimes for as much as
half q minute, and are interrupted by
short inspirations, or Undertakings.
During expirations, the glottfs or en-
trance to the windpipe, Is brought
together so that the pressure within
the substance of the lungs rises con-
siderably. There can be but little
doubt that it is the equal distrtbu-
ton of this increased air pressure
throughout the whole Of the chest
ana 0liatlOn Oh pOTllOhb VI hhc Auhe
that have become more or less col
lapsed, that often results in great
benefit from crying; especially Is this
true in cases of infantile bronchitis.
Improves Blood Circulation.
Children may become very blue dur
ing the paroxysm, but the deep
breathings, which succeed quickly, re-
store the circulation to a better con-
dition than before, in consequence OF
the increased lung space made avail
able by crying. In instances of en-
pyema-pus in the pleural cavity, and
in the chest, too, IL the. little one
cries when being operated on, 1t is a
great help toward recovery.
A good cry" is never to be smoth-
cred or choked when the lungs are
hungry for a yawn and a stretch. To
avoid peevishness in a child, be sure
that II obtains plenty OF sleep, is well
fed and clothed comfortably. Keep
your child interested. Don't feed It
common candy bought on the streets
or in cheap stores. Be bright and
cheerful yourself. SO that your little
one always may have a good example
to follow.
Copyr't 1911. by Newspaper Feature servIce)