MUMPS—AND AFTER.

Waikato Times, Volume 115, Issue 19229, 13 April 1934, Page 5

MUMPS—AND AFTER.

Mumps, although especially prevalent in spring and autumn, is also one of the troublesome complaints with which winter is associated. Wet. cold days seem to bring on this disease. What is known as the parotid gland is attacked flrst. This gland lies under the skin just in front of the ear, and it speedily becomes inflamed and 'enlarged to an abnormal size, spreading rapidly until the whole side of the cheek and neck become affected. But it does not end here, for after a day or two the other side of the face and neck becomes similarly affected. Although the complaint is a painful one, the pain is not so severe as is indicated by the size of the swelling, but the child is feverish and irritable, and finds difficulty in swallowing and talking. The great danger is the rapidity with which the disease spreads from one child to another, and for this reason a child suffering from mumps should be isolated. It is also kindness to the child, for he s is unfit In mix with his young playmates, and a blow or a slap on the tender parts may have serious results. The complications that can arise include meningitis and deafness. The child should be kept in one room, although he need not remain in bed if his temperature is normal. Plenty of opening medicine should be given, such as confection of senna, syrup of figs, or magnesia. Food should be of the lightest description, and when the attack is at its worst the diet should he liquid. Milk, gruel, cornflour, and beef tea should be given as required, with occasional orange juice and water drinks to alleviate thirst and tone up the system. ' When the neck and face are very painful the glands responsible can be treated to a series of hot and cold compresses, which will bring down the inflammation and subdue the pain. The compresses are simple to [prepare, and consist of flannel or cotinn wool wrung out of hot water and laid on Ihe gland; for cold compresses Ihe material is wrung out in cold water. First a hot compress, then a cold one, should be the order, and I hey can be continued until the sufferer feels relief. Gradually the swelling subsides, and in a week or ten days the child is convalescent. Care must be exercised to build up the sufferer after an attack. and plenty of nourishing food and drink should be given.—An English weekly.