This is the term applied to the condition resulting from the lack of food assimilation, It affects principally young infants. It is characterized by a persistent loss of weight with more or less severe symptoms which may appear rather suddenly.
Symptoms
The infant’s pulse is weak and rapid and the temperature may be high. There is scanty urine, cold extremities and great muscular relaxation. The face presents a peculiar bluish gray color. There may be cyanosis. There is rapid irregular respiration. In the more severe cases there may be stupor, while in others the child is very restless and fretful. Pupils are contracted and the fontanel is sunken. The progress of the incoördination may be rapid and in very young infants death may occur quite suddenly. Breast feeding is very essential in these cases.
Major Adjustment
Inanition is really malnutrition in the young infant due to a lack of assimilation of nutrition. The major adjustment is C.P. or S.P. and K.P. In some cases Li.P. may be involved, while in others Spl.P. may enter into the combination.
MARASMUS
This condition is also called infantile atrophy and simple wasting. It is not very common and is usually found in institutions for infants. It affects infants who are unusually weak. It is said to result largely from improper food and feeding and also it is influenced by the surroundings. In these cases the methods of feeding and the character of food should be carefully investigated. If these are found satisfactory it will then be obvious that the food is not being properly digested. This calls for a careful analysis and adjusting of the child. In these cases the food can not be assimilated because it is not properly digested. There is a progressive and persistent loss in weight. The body temperature becomes subnormal, the lung expansion imperfect, emaciation very marked, the skin deeply wrinkled and the face and arms take on a very old appearance. The eyes appear very large, the temples and fontanels are sunken, and the abdomen becomes very prominent. The child is very susceptible to all forms of incoördinations and because of the extreme weakness may succumb quickly to any acute dis-ease. In some cases after the emaciation has become very marked there may be an unusual and sudden gain in weight due to a general edema. This condition may increase until all the tissues of the body become extremely water-logged. The large cavities, however, are very seldom affected. Infants under seven or eight months of age are likely to be affected by this edema.
Major Adjustment
These cases call for a combination major which consists of S.P. and K.P. and an Up.L.P. Excellent results will be attained in these cases if adjustments are given early enough in the stage of the incoördination. The patient is never too weak to be adjusted.