Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-07-23

HEALTH
Copyright 1891. by Newspaper Features. Inc.

One of the dangers that hot weathe
brings 10 the baby is well named sum
mer complaint" No matter when O
why 1t comes, diarrhoea has a mos
debllltating effect upon the infant.
IndlgestlOn results in diarrhoea. L
the indigestion is caused by some tran
slent and comparatively unimportan'
cause 1t need not give concern. If it j.
due to Infection, and takes the form o.
dysentary, 1T is prostrating and serious
There are two general forms Of
diarrhoea:
One is due to wrong feeding.
The other is due to the addition OF
some foreign and harmful agent to the
! food.
Feeding a baby is an exacting prob
lem. 1t cannot be undertaken in any
haphazard fashion. You must know
what are the right ingredients, how to
prepare the food, and then you must
administer it properly.
Unless you know and practice these
rules. the baby will suffer from indi-
g%estion. and you will have serious inter
ference with the bowel action, suffering
constipation or diarrhoea.
Cleanliness Is Vital
n thiS INV L sidII HOt ulSSuSS thC
preparation of the food-what is tech
nically called preparing the formula"
/ prefer to speak about the second
general form of diarrhoea-that due
to the addition of some foreign and
harmful agent.
Milk is the chief food of the baby.
Milk, water and the simple modifying
substances necessary to make the cows
milk conform to the human proportions
must be pure and undefiled or trouble
ensues. The great secret in guarding
the baby's food supply is the absolute
ly essential procedure-the necessity of
keeping it clean.
To the lay mind cleanliness is a mat
ter of soap. water and the appearance
of cleanliness. Let me say to you that
a body of water may be as clear as
crystal but contain in its sparkling
depths the germs of deadly disease:
Because the milk bottle, dishes and
your hands look clean is no sign at all
that they are clean from the medical
standpoint. They "a look innocent
enough, but be the carriers of sub
stances which may inoculate the DELI
cate tissues of your smiling baby.
The simplest way to kill germs, the
cheapest sort of life insurance, is heat.
1olii0X VIII hiu all nv
germs. The water which is to be ad-
ded to the milk. the utensils which are
to contain it. should be boiled and well
boiled. The water should be set away
TO cool in vessels which have been
boiled.
When to Withhold Food
The heating of the milk we will dis
cuss at another time, but bear in mind
that raw and unprepared milk should
never be given to a baby
Unfortunately, overheatlng the milk
in it certain qualities essentlal
to the growth and well-being of the
child. Don't worry about this, because
orange juice and tomato juice have IN
them the ingredients destroyed by boil
the milk. 4 ~teaspoonful or more of
one of these juices will insure safety
and growth.
If great care is exercized in the
choice and preparation of the food. the !
baby is likely to escape intestinal dis
turbances. If diarrhoea appears there
is time to consult the doctor. because
matter what the type may be, the
treatment is the same:
Stop giving food and give nothing
for twenty-four hours except plain.
uusweetened water which has been
boiled.
Flies. .pac;fiers.'' unboiled food. I'M
dishes. nipples and bottles
through these are the germs of diarr-
1oea carried to the baby. The way to
treat diarrheoe is to prevent 1t by I
cleanliness.