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Medical Missionary Department

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 30, 1914

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 91, No. 31.

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Medical Missionary Department

By G. H. Heald, M. D.

W. A. RUBLE, M. D. — General Secretary L. A. BANSEN — Assistant Secretary H. W. MILLER, M. D. — N. Am. Div. Secretary

Baby's Second Summer

DURING the hot spell, keep baby cool at all hazards, especially the weaned baby or the teething baby, and do not attempt experiments in its food. Above all, be sure that it gets good milk; and if there is the least suspicion, scald it.
The accompanying illustration, taken from the bulletin of the Chicago Department of Health, tells its own story. In hot weather a baby in a single garment may be fairly comfortable and retain its health, while another baby dressed in fussy clothes is sweltering, and finally is prostrated with the heat. Remember it is much easier to prevent prostration than it is to treat successfully a prostrated baby.
As far as possible, keep the little ones outside in the shade or on a cool porch. Cellars are insanitary places; but the deaths from summer heat are comparatively few in basements and cellars. The proportion of deaths increases as one ascends to the roof. The most frightful loss of infant life in summer is in the hot attics, which should never be used for human habitation.
Give the little one plenty of water to drink, and bathe it frequently. It will be grateful for several cool spongings on hot days, and it will be no inconvenience to give these provided the little one is properly dressed.
Going on the street, the little fellow needs a neat one-piece slip, but in the house during the hottest weather the only protection he needs is the napkin around his hips. But be careful not to allow him to be too much exposed if the air cools off in the afternoon, as it does in some localities. Do not allow him to become chilled.
In case baby shows signs of failing health, running off at the bowels, or disturbance of digestion, it is best to see a physician at once; for it is much easier to remedy such a trouble in its incipiency than to cure it after baby has been exhausted by the disease.
G. H. HEALD, M. D., Editor "Life and Health."