Another form of inflammation of the eye which was mentioned in a previous chapter, is the inflammation of the eye of the newborn.
In most civilized districts at the present, especially where the cases are attended by a physician, the eyes of all newborn babies are treated with either argyrol or silver nitrate. Just as soon as defective sight is discovered in the child the eyes should be examined at once and proper gla.s.ses fitted. While the glimmer and shimmer of moving pictures may seriously interfere with the child"s vision, on the other hand, this very thing often discovers the defect in the eyesight earlier than it would otherwise be found out.
RUNNING EARS
Inflammation of the ears was fully covered in our discussion of adenoids and tonsils, but we would like to add at this time that under no circ.u.mstances should a running ear be regarded lightly. A chronic mastoiditis (inflammation of the middle ear) often follows measles, scarlet fever, adenoid infection, and inflammation of the tonsils. The attention of a specialist should be called to it and his instructions most carefully carried out; for, when we have a sudden stopping of the discharge from the ear with high fever and pain behind the ear, sometimes an operation is imperative or the child may be lost.
CHAPTER XXIX
RESPIRATORY DISEASES
Next to digestive disturbances, babies suffer more frequently from respiratory disorders--colds, bronchitis, and pneumonia. In fact, during very early infancy, pneumonia heads the list of infant deaths, only to be displaced a few months later by that most dreaded summer disease--diarrhea.
Little tiny babies are so helpless--they are so dependent upon their seniors for life itself--that our responsibility is indeed great. We should put forth our best endeavor to avoid and prevent common colds.
Among all the common maladies that afflict the human race "colds"
probably head the list; and, in the case of babies and the younger children, the common colds often go on into coughs, croup, bronchitis, and even pneumonia.
WHY BABIES CATCH COLD
1. Someone has brought the infection to him.
2. Somebody coughed in his face.
3. Germ-laden hands have handled the baby.
4. He has drunk from an "infected" gla.s.s.
5. There was not enough moisture in the air.
6. Somebody wiped his face with an infected towel.
7. Baby was allowed to play on the cold floor.
8. Baby"s lowered vitality could not stand the combined strain of overeating and clogged up bowels.
9. Baby was kissed in the mouth by a "cold-germ" carrier.
10. Baby was dressed too warmly--and then taken out.
11. Somebody carelessly breathed in baby"s face.
12. He slept in a stuffy room.
13. His extremities got chilled.
14. Baby has adenoids or diseased tonsils.
Babies should not be allowed to sit or play on cold, drafty floors.
They may play on mother"s bed whose open side is protected with high-back chairs, or they may play in their own bed whose raised sides are sheltered by blankets.
It is possible for a mother so to disinfect her hands, and so garb herself with clean, washable garments, that, although she may be suffering from an acute cold, she may continue to care for her baby and the baby need not contract the cold.
CORYZA--COLD IN THE HEAD
This most annoying ailment, a cold in the head, is particularly hard on babies because the obstruction of the nasal pa.s.sages not only makes breathing difficult, but renders nursing well-nigh impossible.
The throat end of the eustachium tube (the ear tube) is found in the upper and back part of the throat, just behind the nose. The infection of the cold extends from both the nose and throat and there results a spreading inflammatory process on through these ear tubes into the middle ear itself. Now if this tube swells so much that it entirely closes, as so often happens in cases of "cold in the head" as well as in constant irritation from adenoids, then may follow a vast train of difficulties--earache, mastoiditis, etc.--with the result that the tiny bones in the middle ear which vibrate so exquisitely may become ankylosed (stiffened) and deafness often follow. Everything known must be done to prevent baby"s catching "cold in the head." If the sinuses become infected it may also lead to serious consequences.
When the nose becomes clogged it may be opened up by repeatedly disinfecting the inside of the nose with oily sprays such as simple albolene or camphorated-albolene spray.
The bowels should be quickly opened by castor oil, and the feedings should be cut down at least two-thirds or one-half.
Public drinking cups should always be avoided and kissing the baby be tabooed.
GRIPPE
The treatment of influenza in infancy and childhood is to avoid contact with an older person suffering with the grippe. Ordinarily, the so-called "grippe" is a common, mixed infection--not true influenza. Coryza and cough are the chief respiratory symptoms which attend these widespread epidemics. Often vomiting and diarrhea are seen in the young sufferers.
In cases of grippe put the child to bed and call the doctor. In the case of the older children, the treatment and care to be recommended has been fully outlined by the author in the little work ent.i.tled _The Cause and Cure of Colds_.
Complications from the grippe are very frequent in children--such as severe diarrhea, enlarged glands of the neck, running ears, bronchitis, pneumonia, and sometimes tuberculosis.
Every effort should be put forth to isolate and quarantine the first member of the family to be stricken with grippe so that the remaining members may, if possible, escape an uncomfortable and unhappy siege.
SORE THROAT
The danger of permanent deafness which so often follows a sore throat as well as a cold in the head, should cause every mother or caretaker earnestly to begin treatment at the very first sign of a sore throat.
When a little baby gulps or cries on swallowing, a sore throat should always be suspected and remedial measures promptly inst.i.tuted.
A most convenient article with which to examine an infant"s throat is a small pocket flashlight. The pillars of the throat or the tonsils or both may be much inflamed, and since tonsillitis, diphtheria, and scarlet fever all begin with a sore throat, it is wise early to seek medical counsel in order that the differential diagnosis may be promptly made. We urge the mother, as a rule, not to attempt to diagnose severe cases of sore throat. Send for the physician.
Tonsillitis is a severe form of sore throat which, fortunately, rarely troubles tiny infants; but for every sore throat, while waiting for medical help to arrive, lay your plans to empty the bowels, diminish the quant.i.ty of the food, swab or spray the throat, and later closely follow the physician"s advice concerning the general treatment of the child.
ADENOIDS
Adenoid growths appear as grape-like lymphoid formations located in the upper and posterior-nasal pharynx. These adenoids secrete a very toxic, thickened fluid, which slowly makes its way down along the back wall of the throat, and reddens and inflames first the anterior and posterior pillars of the throat and then often inflames and enlarges the tonsils.
Adenoids not only obstruct the respiratory pa.s.sage way to the throat and lungs, but they also exert a harmful influence on the general physical and mental development of the child.
It is nothing less than criminal for heedless parents to allow adenoid growths to remain in the child"s post-nasal pharynx. The little fellow"s face is disfigured, more or less for life, his mentality dulled, while he is compelled to breathe through his mouth.
An almost miraculous change often follows the complete removal of these obstructive adenoids--the child takes a renewed interest in everything about him. More oxygen finds its way to the tissues, his face takes on better color, he gains in weight, in fact, there appears to be a complete rejuvenation mentally and physically.
The signs or symptoms of adenoids are mouth breathing, restlessness at night, snoring, recurring colds, nasal discharge, swelling of the glands of the neck, poor nutrition, loss of appet.i.te, bed wetting, impaired hearing, lack of attention, and mental dullness. The removal of adenoids is neither a serious or difficult procedure, and they may safely be removed at any age.
DISEASED TONSILS
Tonsils which remain permanently enlarged and show signs of disease and debilitation--filled crypts--may be removed as early as the fourth or fifth year, if necessary. If proper treatment does not improve the tonsils as the child grows older, their removal should seriously be considered. The tonsils may serve some special secretory or defensive function during the first few years of life and we think best, therefore, not to advise their removal--except in extreme cases--until the child is at least four or five years old.
When it is necessary to attack the tonsils, they should be thoroughly dissected out--not merely burned or clipped off. If they are properly removed, the danger of heart trouble, rheumatism, and many other infections may be considered as greatly lessened.