DANGERS OF BABY POWDER.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3148, 18 December 1922, Page 7

DANGERS OF BABY POWDER.

Don't let your baby breath the powder with which you dust him. A recent report of Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, on the effects of breathing zinc sterate powdier shows that it may give rise to disease. Ever since this powder has begun to replace the long familiar talcum as a. dusting powder in the nursery, says an editorial writer in tlie JournnJ of the American Medical Association (Chicago), there have have been records of untoward results following accidental breathing of the dust by children, to whom the containers are usually readily accessible. Ho continues:— "lu some cases broncho-pneu-monia, of a more or less tulininal irngj type Ims ensttedl; in other infants an acine toxemia was the most conspicuous symptom; occasionally an initial parrtial asphyxia passes off without! definite pulmonary involvement. Insufflation, pneumonias produced with iiin-inl'cclive particles are well Known in experimental pathology. Evidently the pneumonic lesions due to zinc starate are analogous in origin. Talcum is probably capable of producing damage similar in type but lesser in degree; for whereas zinc sloarate is tenacious, the physical properties of the talcum inn} permit easier expulsion of Hie foreign particles. At any rate, lleiniau and Aschner frankly believe that the zinc stearate container, with its largo perforatrions. as now prepare*.! for the nursery is a distinct menace to the health of infants. Illuminating gas is a potential danger to grownlips, but they have learned Ihe wa\ of safety without giving up the advantages of the toxic product."