HOOKWORM DISEASE
This disease, once seen only in the southern part of the United States, is leaving its former domains as the migrating population is distributing it more or less widely everywhere. Sandy soil and country districts are infected by a tiny worm which thrives in polluted soil and enters the body through the skin of the feet. It also gets into the body through the drinking water or from the eating of uncooked vegetables, such as are used in salads.
The disease is manifested by "sallow skin, paleness, headache, swollen abdomen and sores on the legs." Little swollen places where the worm enters the skin may be seen on the flesh. The condition yields readily to treatment. If a child is discovered scratching his feet (especially in the southern part of this country), he should be taken at once to a physician.
DISORDERED STOMACH
At the first symptom of a disordered stomach take all food from the baby and give him rice water prepared by throwing a cupful of well-washed rice into a kettle of boiling water and allowing it to continue to boil for a couple of hours. The water which is strained off is rice water, ready for use after it is cooled. This may be given to the child at the meal hour in the place of his regular food. It should be kept in a glass-covered jar in the ice box. A dose of castor oil, according to the age, should be administered before the feed. The bowels should be washed out and boiled water given freely between the meals of rice water. For a day or two (twenty-four to forty-eight hours), the child should be fed only this rice water, or until the temperature returns to normal and he appears very hungry, at which time milk, which has been boiled for five minutes, may be added to the rice water, first in one-half ounce quantities and gradually increased. Each day a little more milk is added until baby is taking his regular food again.
Many a death and many acute attacks of summer complaint are avoided by the quick use of castor oil, and by withholding food and stopping the use of milk as soon as the child becomes ill.
STOMATITIS OR THRUSH
Thrush is evidenced by fretfulness or crying on attempting to nurse. On examination of the mouth it is found to be hot and very tender and covered with little white specks which, if looked at under the microscope, appear to be a fungus growth. If scratched off, the mucous membrane bleeds easily. Thrush often occurs during a fever or in connection with other diseases, and is often due to neglect and lack of cleanliness about the bottles, nipples, etc. Taken in time it is quickly cured. An immediate dose of castor oil or milk of magnesia is indicated, and the use of a mouth wash which will be prescribed by the physician. If neglected, it may become ulcerous or gangrenous, which is a very serious condition. Everything pertaining to the feeding, as well as the child's toys, hands, etc., must be kept scrupulously clean.
CONSTIPATION
In the chapter, "[The Feeding Problem]," constipation in bottle-fed babies was discussed. The bowels should move at least once in twenty-four hours. The passages are frequently very hard and leave the body only after a very great effort of straining. This constipation, often continuing until late childhood, should be corrected in the following manner: