HOME HEALTH GUIDE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXII, Issue 28, 2 January 1942, Page 2

HOME HEALTH GUIDE.

No. 25: SUMMER SICKNESS CAN BE FATAL. (Prepared and issued by the Health Department.) Watch out for summer sickness this season. This distressing complaint crops up regularly summer alter summer, especially in the warmer districts, and it enjoys far too great a prevalence. Ordinary care will prevent it. The cause of it is a germ, which has a particular fondness for babies and toddlers, and which is a product of contaminated tood. It is, in fact, a form of poisoning, and in very young people it can be fatal. \ou have to eat it to get it, and if you take care to see that your food is'clean and fresh, and well screened from flies, you won't get it. Clean tood and cleanliness in preparing food are the best preventives. And always remember that the tiniest portion of tainted food will start things. Last summer the authorities were deeply concerned about summer sickness, and parents are warned that, unless these simple precautions are taken, unnecessary trouble might be in store tor the iamily. „ . , The symptoms are easily recognised. Within "twelve hours the child becomes acutely ill. with colic pains, vomiting and diarrhoea marking the onset, in 24 hours, if there is not skilled aid, the child's state may become desperate and death may occur. Indeed, a child from 12 to 18 mouths runsi a very very serious risk if not treated immediately. Prostration is not so severe in an older child. Early treatment is essential. If the child is receiving Plunket attention the Plunkct nurse will be able to help and advise calling the doctor if necessary. . The simple apple treatment, is recommended by the Plunket Society for babies and young children, arid it can be administered to adults with equally satisfactory results. The following quantities of grated mushed apple aie prescribed, the doses to be given every three hours, day and night: Age 3 months, \\ teaspoons; age 6 months, 1-2 tablespoons; age 1 year, 3-4 table--BPTh?re is a substance in apple, called pectin which helps to do the trick. In addition, give the patient plain boiled water in amounts according to age one hour after the apple feeding. Older patients can be given freshlyinfused weak tea.