Health In The Home

Southland Times, Issue 23182, 24 April 1937, Page 17

Health In The Home

(By a Family Doctor)

When a child has already developed rickets the treatment has two purposes in view: first, to put a stop to the softening of the bones and make them grow hard again; secondly, to treat any deformities of the bones which have developed as a result of their being soft. Cod-liver oil is the chief drug. It must be realized that olive oil, linseed oil, and the cheaper brands of margarine are of no use in curing rickets and should be avoided. Fresh butter, fresh milk and cream should be used. Excess of bread and other cereals should be avoided; for it has been shown how such articles of food definitely aggravate the disease unless given sparingly. Medicines containing iron, calcium, and phosphates should be given under a doctor’s prescription. Finally, the child should be taken out in the open as much as possible; and during the winter months, when practicable, should be treated with artificial ultra-violet light. During the active stage of the disease, when the bones are soft, the child must be prevented from trying to walk and this may be done by the application during the day time of splints to the legs. He should, on the other hand, be encouraged to move the limbs about.

Rickety children often show symptoms of scurvy and so there should be added to their diet a teaspoonful of orange juice once or twice a day.