Smyrna times., 1936-07-16
SUMMER TALK
INFANT HEALTH
State Board of Health Issues
Timely Warming To
Mothers
PREVENTION AND CARE

Mothers are warned of the dang
ers to infants, during the summer
months, of contracting diarrhea
and enteritis, and given advice as
to prevention and care, in a
pamphlet now being revised for is
sue by the State Board of Health.
According to the pamphlet,
diarrhea, or summer complaint, /"
is responsible for more of the
deaths occurring each year in this
age group than any other infantile
ailment. In the pamphlet, it is
recommended that sewage disposal
be protected from flies, and that
homes be screened to exclude
them; that garbage be placed in a
f1y-proof can, and that the ground
surrounding the can be kept clean
at all times. To prevent flies breed
ing therein, manure from barns
should be spread thinly over the
fields at least twice a week, and
preferably each day. Safe milk
and water for the home is import
ant, and where possible, grade "A"
pasteuriZed milk should be secured
All milk and water given to chill
dren under two years of age should
be first boiled, and then kept COW
cred and cold until ready for use.
IF ice or electric refrigeration is
not available, the pamphlet advis-
es, fluids may be kept in a pail of
frequently changed cold water, or
suspended in well in a closed con-
tainer. Cool, previously boiled
water should be given the child
approximately every two hours
during warm weather. All bot
ties, pans, nipples, and utensils
should be cleaned and boiled, and
hand washed thoroughly, each time
before using in preparing the
child's food. The kind and amount
of food prescribed by the physician
should be given regularly and at
the times advised. Anyone having
diarrhea should be carefully kept
away from the child, and all of his
soiled diapers should be placed i'm
mediately in a covered pail con-
tanning some antiseptic solution,
preferably strong soap suds. The
pail should be kept covered at all
times to exclude fies; during the
laundering process the diapers
should always be boiled. In case
diarrhea occurs and it 10 not pos
sible to obtain physician immed-
lately, the pamphlet advises, all
fods should be discontinued, cooled,
boiled water forced every hour,
and the child kept in a cool, airy,
screened room. In cases where
vomiting occurs, water should be
given, at first, in amounts so small
as not to provoke it. When it is
impossible to consult a physician,
it is advised that all foods be dis
continued, and that no feeding,
either breast or bottle, be given
for at least twenty-four hours.
Cool, boiled water should be forced
every hour or more often, giving ar
least three pints in twenty-four
hours; no medicine should be given
by way of the mouth, and the pa
tient should be kept in a cool, airy
room that is well screened from
flies, and kept covered with mo-
squito netting while asleep; he
should be isolated from contact as
far as possible; when feverish,
given frequent sponge baths with
cool water; all excreta should be
buried with small amount of
lime, or discarded into flush
toilet which should be kept clean
at all times. After the third day,
he should be allowed to go back to
his regular diet very slowly, if the
diarrhea has ceased or greatly i'm
proved, by giving him very small
feelings and increasing them as he
responds to the treatment. Con-
tinue to force fluids throughout the
period of convalescence, and if re-
lapse occurs and stools become
loose again, return to starvation
diet for "a hours and increase food
slowly as stools would indicate.
The pamphlet concludes with a
warning that persistent vomiting
or continued loss of fluid by bowels
is a sign of grave danger and
should receive attention of a ply
sician at once, and that every eff
fort be made by the parents to
consult their family nhuSician i'm