THE CRY
The study of the cry furnishes one of the most valuable means of learning what ails a baby. A persistent cry may be produced by the intense, constant itching of eczema.
The paroxysmal cry, very severe for a time and then ceasing absolutely, is probably due to colic, particularly if accompanied by the distention of the abdomen and the movements of the body already referred to. A frequent, peevish, whining cry is heard in children with general poor health or discomfort. A single shrill scream uttered now and then is often heard in inflammation of the brain. In any disease in which there is difficulty in getting enough air into the lungs, as in pneumonia, the cry is usually very short and the child cries but little, because it cannot hold its breath long enough for it. A nasal cry occurs with cold in the head.
A short cry immediately after coughing indicates that the cough hurts the chest. Crying when the bowels are moved shows that there is pain at that time. A child of from two to six years, waking at night with violent screaming, is probably suffering from night terrors. In conditions of very great weakness and exhaustion the baby moans feebly, or it may twist its face into the position for crying, but emit no sound at all. This latter is also true in some cases of inflammation of the larynx, while in other cases the cry is hoarse or croupy. Crying when anything goes into the mouth makes one suspect some trouble there. If it occurs with swallowing, it is probable that the throat is inflamed.
With the act of crying there ought always to be tears in children over three or four months of age. If there are none, serious disease is indicated, and their reappearance is then a good sign.