The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-05-25
HEADQUARTERS ADVICE
ON PROTECTING LITTLE
ONES AGAINST MEASLES
by DIR. \. X. LEWIS
State Health Commissioner

II is unfortunately true that measles
was this spring and stin is prevalent
in many sections of Oklahoma. The
toll not alone OF sickness. but of death
preciated As matter of fact meas
les b. one OF the worst in its cumulative
results OF the diseases To which chill
0rcn are subject. II il u serious dist
ease in Itself; 1t is only too likely 10
have complications far more serious.
Something may be done By health Off
GERS ana physicians toward protecting
measles. but even more. can be accom-
plish,d 10y parents. The first step, how
ever Is for parents to realize that meas
les Is not trivial disease,
When diptherla OF scarlet fever break
out in = community the parents of chill
dren. especially mothers take instant
alarm. Quarantines are demanded; rig.
III health regulations are put i'm force
with the support Of public opinion in
the community. Sometimes the schools
are closed. II is right and proper that
guch precautions should be taken. But
parents make a great mistake when
they consider measles a trivial disease,
an illness which children must have
anyhow, ana the sooner they have it
and get over IT, the better" such a
viewpoint exposes children to serious,
sometimes fatal illness. 1t is not at all
necessary that child should have
measles. The child who never has
measles will be healthier and stronger
than the one who has an attack. Even
e the illness seems to pass away with
no complications the child will be
weaker his Or her bodily resistance to
disease will be weakened. 1t is especial
ly Important that children under seven
years OF age should be in every way
protected from measles.
Measles Complications
one of the most unfortunate features
of measles lies in the serious oomplica-
tions, which too often result from an
attack of the disease. In children under
seven there is especial danger that
measles will affect the teeth. sometimes
causing troubles which are a handicap
through life. The most dangerous com
plication, however, arising from measles
is found in the ear. Just why the
measles poison attacks the ear is not
known, but what it does is shown by
the large number of cases Of inflamed
ears and the consequent deafness in
later years. Probably one in ten of all
deaf persons are 50 because of measles.
Daily examinations of the ears Of the
patient should be made by the physi-
cIan in charge. Unless the ear is
inspected every day the first sign of
danger may be running ear. No time
should be lost in operating OF the ear
OF the patient if there are of
damage. The operation is made with
small instrument prepared for the pur-
pose. 1t is a slight operation and al
most painless, but il is essential that
il he done in time.
As yet there is no other practical
way of preventing measles except by
keeping children who are well away
from those who are suffering from the
disease. II should be remembered that
measles is catching before the eruption
appears. Teach your children to wash
their hands and faces. keep their noses
clean. brush their teeth and when they
are sick to keep away from other chill
dren and when they are well to keep !
away from other children with n cough. !