SIMPLE RULES

Ladies' Mirror, Volume 3, Issue 9, 2 March 1925, Page 14

SIMPLE RULES

TO GUARD YOUR CHILDREN AGAINST INFECTION A LL gatherings of young children must be avoided, and young children must not be allowed to enter any house where there is any case of sickness. Kissing and fondling of children should not be allowed. Children should not use drinking cups, etc., in common. Parents should see that proper covering is provided for heads and necks of children to protect them from the sun. Children should not be allowed to become overtired: whilst bathing is an excellent tonic, intermittent paddling, causing a variation of temperature at one time, is harmful. All causes that tend to reduce vitality should be avoided. The sick, even in the case of ordinary childish complaints, should be isolated from the healthy, and if strict isolation and appropriate nursing cannot be obtained at home, the patient should be treated in an Isolation Hospital. The sick room, even after any simple complaints such as feverish colds, and its contents, should be disinfected at the end of the illness. Persons, especially those who arc brought into contact with patients, arc advised to disinfect the throat and nose. For this purpose an antiseptic solution such as either of the following, is recommended for use twice or three times daily in hand sprays or atomizers:— (a) Permanganate of potash: Half a teaspoonful of common salt to a breakfast cup of tepid water made very faintly pink with Permanganate of Potash or Condy’s Fluid. ( b ) Peroxide of Hydrogen: 1 per cent, solution. As an excellent alternative, common salt and water should be used daily; half-a-teaspoonful of common salt, in a breakfast cup of water, should be drawn up through the nostrils night and morning. This not only cleanses the nostrils and passages of all accumulated mucous and foreign matter, but promotes a healthy condition of the mucous membrane. It should be remembered that the disease gains entrance through the nose and throat. These methods are, of course, only practicable with elder children and adults. The strictest care should be taken both in the personal hygiene of the child, in regard to its food and drink, and even more attention than usual given to the cleanliness and sanitation of its surroundings.