The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-06-19
MORGAN WARNS
AGAINST CHILD
HEALTH DANGER
City Medical Director Cites
High Mortality in Hot
Months.


The next three months are the
most dangerous of the year for chill
dren, especially those less than one
year old, DR.. Herman G.. Morgan,
city health board secretary, warned
today. But much of the danger of
the torrid Indiana summer can be
averted if proper hygienic and pre-
cautionary measures are observed,
he said
Last year the infant mortality
rate If Indiana was 81 out of every
1000, an increase of six points over
1888 and the highest rate since 1929.
DR.. Morgan and other Indianapolis
physicians attribute this marked
gain to the long period of record
breaking heat last summer.
IF proper infant health measures
are observed this summer, and if
parents will heed the advice of their
family physicians, baby clinics or
field nurses, the infant mortality
rate should be reduced to or below
the average rate Of the last several
years" DR.. Morgan said.
Stomach Disorders Prevalent
During the sultry summer months
the infant and early childhood
groups are especially disposed to
stomach and intestinal disorders.
| and most of these are the results of
an lndiScretion in diet or a con-
taminated food supply.
''T'hn Y0roVo %
intestinal disorders, the so-called
summer complaint, is more fire.
quent among bottle-fed babies than
among those who are breast fed"
DR.. Morgan said. Statistics show
that breast-fed babies have three
to-one better chance of going
through the hot weather than those
fed artificially. Therefore every
mother should use all known scien-
tif1c methods for producing and pre-
serving an adequate supply of
breast milk.
When 1t is necessary to substitute
bottle feeding particular care should
be taken to keep milk under proper
refrigeration. The health depart
rent uses every possible precau-
ton to insure milk reaching the
home in a fresh, potable and SAM
tary condition but the milk should
be placed in the ice-box as soon as
it is delivered.
Raw Fruits Banned
TOO frequently milk is allowed to
sit in the sun for several hours be-
fore being placed on ice. Often
harmful bacteria will regenerate I'M
der such conditions and the milk
becomes unsuitable even for adult
consumption. Before the prepara-
ton of the nursing formula the
babys food supply should be kept at
as low temperature as possible"
When the infant has reached an
age where it begins to take solid
food continued watch and care is
quite necessary in order to safe
guard its health during the torrid
weather, Dr. Morgan explained.
Most of the food should be properly
balanced and thoroughly cooked.
Raw fruits, uncooked vegetables and
foods heavy in fibre and cellulose
should not be given under any cir
cumStanceS.
Another frequent cause of indiges-
ton among babies and young chill
dren is chilling at night when there
is sudden drop in temperature.
These chills may be prevented by
keeping a light covering over the
abdominal area even though 1t must
be kept in place by attaching it to
the night dress by safety pins.
Warns Against Sunburn
Over exposure to the rays of the
sun is hazardous to infant health
although sun tan may be quite
beneficial to adults when acquired
in broken doses.
Especial care should be given the
health of small children when the
family goes on vacation Dr. Morgan
said. The spot should be chosen to
meet all standards of hygiene and
sanitation, particularly when the
infant is bottle-fed A change in
milk, even changing from pasteur-
lied to raw milk, may often bring
about a gaStro-intestinal disturb
ance. Parents should assure them
selves that the source of all food is
uncontaminated.
IF the baby and younger chill
dren are doing well at home it often
is advisable to postpone the vacation
until their systems are seasoned to
more hardy foods" Dr. Morgan said.
IF it is necessary, however, to
change the milk supply it Is always
advisable to play safe and boil milk
for the baby and children.
Tepid Baths Recommended
when small children are I'M
fortunate enough to suffer an attack
Of gaStro-inteStinal disease, a physi-
clan should be summoned at the
first symptoms. If the attack is
severe and sudden all food should
be discontinued and the child given
nothing but boiled water. Few in
fants succumb as a result of in
sufficient food but many are fed to
a fatal termination when suffering
from gastric disorders" DR.. Morgan
pointed out.
"All babies should be dressed
coolly and comfortably and parents
should remember that swaddling
clothes, heavy petticoats and flannel
bands are obsolete" Dr. Morgan
said.
With careful supervision of diet,
from one to three tepid baths day
and sensible clothing the baby
should be able to weather tempera-
lures which cause even adults to
think Of vacations along cool
beaches or shaded woodlands"