, 1934-12-11
LaxatiOes Keep Child
From Forming Habit
By DE. NORRIS FIsHBEIN

Somehow a good many mothers have the notion
that a baby should have its bowels cleaned out ar
tifically once each week. as it ought to be bathed
at least once each week, but preferably every day.
The things usually used to force the activity Of the
childs bowel are strip Of figs. lcorice powder. castor
oil, or some similar strong medicine that doctors
might hesitate to give without special indications for
their use.
Unfortunately. these children grow up with their
bowels 80 inactive that II requires at least five grains
Of calonel or something equally strong to bring about
a result.
Strangely enough, persons who would hesitate to
use digitalis in heart disease or ether to produce an
esthesia never hesitate to prescribe a medicine for
the bowels.
In most cases the bowels Of children will act with
out any artificial stimulation If the child is proper
~ fed. III some cases the life Of the child Is % COM
pletely inactive that its bowel gets lazy.
The mother, noticing this, Is likely to give a strong
cathartic and as a result the bowel quits completely.
II is best to train the infant by holding 1t on the
lap after feeding, while il sits on a suitable vessel
The child Is kept thus until It responds, but not too
long # it does not respond.
Occasionally an infant glycerine SuppoSitory or a
small rod OF the mothers finger suitably creased can
give the initial stimulus and in a few days the child
will develop the habit.
Even this sort Of artificial stimulation should not be
INDUCED lin % constantly. however, that the child be-
comes unable to do without il.
For older children the addition OF some green vege-
table TO the diet. the use OF a whoewheat cereal will
sometimes be a sufficient stimulus to a suitable bow
ell action. Most important OF ali. however, is estab-
lshment OF a habit.
Unfortunately. If the accommodations are limited,
the child may be crowded out and forced into post
ponement By adults going To work and by children
going t0 school. SD that "A Well-establiShed after
breakfast habit tends TO become an after-lunch habit,
until 1t gets to a point where il is not a habit az all.
Little children find out early in life that their
mothers are greatly concerned over their sppetites and
their bowels and that. by bringing a considerable
amount Of pressure on the mother. they can get a
good deal more attention BY refusing food and re-
fusing to have a bowel action.
The more they diet themselves. the more con-
cerned the mothers become over their diets and bowel
action. This Is what the doctors call a vicious circle.
The mother who gets herself into a state Of nerves
over the inactivity Of the chld's bowels does not help
the constipation, but is likely to make it much worse.
Establishment Of a regular habit Of emptying the
bowel is the most important feature Of overcoming
constipation in a child. Children should always be
given adequate time and be provided with adequate
facilities for taking care Of this part Of their hygiene.
The routine use Of laxatives and cathartcs Is a
menace To the childs health. Giving a sufficient
amount Of fresh vegetables. fruits. water and whole
wheat cereal In the childs diet will help II 10 over
come any tendency to chronic constipation.
Once chronic constipation is established. the most
careful study by the doctor. the nurse. and the pa
rents is required TO correct the condition.