Milford chronicle., 1920-05-07
MOTHERS COLUMN
Contributed by the Medical Consult
ant of the State Reoonstruc-
ton Commission.)
COMMON AILMENTS OF BABYHOOD
CONvULsIoNs


A convulsion is a temporary loss
of consciousness, with rythmical con-
fractions of various muscles of the
body. In $50 of the cases commissions
are caused by some disturbance in the
digestive (gastro-intestinaD tracts.
The yare most frequently seen in
children suffering from rickets, mall
nutrition and other nutrional distur-
bance. Teething is a frequent cause
of convulsions. Very high tempera-
ture of baby is another frequent
cause. Pneumonia, meningitis, scar
let fever and so forth often begin with
convulsions. This condition is a most
alarming one to the parent. The first
thing to be done in case a baby is
3 seized with an attack is to send for
the doctor. While awaiting his ar
rival there is one almost specific cure
for the symptom which can easily be
carried out in any home. This is the
mustard bath. To prepare a mustard
bath take water at temperature of
1O5 degrees. Into this put ordinary
mustard in the proportion of one
tablespoonful to five gallons of water
Place the child in this and hold him
there for ten minutes then take him
out and dry him by vigorous rubbing.
This is almost sure cure for convul-
siOns. 1t must be remembered, how
ever, that commissions are merely a
symptom. They are not a disease in
themselves. Therefore. a doctors at
tention is necessary to determine and
remove the cause. The child's tenn
perature should be taken, if possible,
while in the mustard bath, and if it
is found to be over 103 degrees the
water should be cooled by the addi-
tiOn of cold water or ice, down to rs
or so degrees. Note carefully the ef-
feet on the child's temperature of this
cooling in order that you may report
to the doctor When the child's tenn
perature is down to 101 degrees re Z
move him from the bath and dry Wig
orously.
AS soon as he has been removed .
from the bath give soap and water
enema or injection as it is some times
called, in order to clean out the bowel .
as thoroughly as possible. As soon as
he is able to swallow give him a dose
of castor oil
If you know that the child has eat
en- something indigestible which may
be the cause of the convulsion, give
him teaspOonful of syrup of Ipecac
to induce vomiting. After the desired |,
effect has been obtained, give the cas-
tor oil. Reduce the amount of feed
ings for the twenty-four hours fol-
lowing the convulsion. Keep him
quiet and follow the doctors orders.
ADENOIDS
This is a condition which very Of
ten develops during early infancy
and is one, the treatment of which,
should not be neglected. Adenoids
are an overgrowth of tissue in the
nasO-pharynX, that is the portion of
the pharynx or throat which is just
behind the nose. They are due to a ,
variety of causes. For example, they
are one of the results of the use of
pacifiers. By sucking on the pacifier ,
the walls of the throat are caused to
come together. This sets up an ir-
ritation of the adenoid tissue and /
causes it to enlarge. The symptoms /
Of adenoids are as follows. The child
has difficulty in breathing thru his S
mouth. He catches cold easily. There
IS often a discharge from the nose. u
He snOres when asleep. The i'll effects
)f adenOids are many and varied. II
rhey may cause partial deafness.
they DO cause, if allowed to go un- Z
reated, a malformation or deformity Fl
If the features. A child with adenoids
,ften has a stupid expression, a pro- Z
ruding upper jaw and a fiat. broad +,
lose. If you notice at any time any
If these symptoms consult a physi- Il
ian as once. Il