eczema, when the children are breast-fed, it is well
to remember that the real cause of the eczema may be in the mother. If
the mother is constipated, or if her diet is too liberal, if she is
drinking beer, or an excess of coffee, or is not taking exercise, the
eczema may be caused by one or other or all of these.
For eczema of the scalp the remedy to use is white-precipitate ointment,
1 part; vaseline, 4 parts. Mix together and apply.
POOR BLOOD. SIMPLE ANEMIA
Causes.--There is what may be termed an unnatural tendency toward poor
blood during infancy and childhood. The explanation of this anomalous
condition is, that the tax or strain put upon the blood to provide for
the growth of the child is severe, and is in addition to the great
demands made upon it in the exercise of its regular duties. We must,
therefore, always take this special duty into consideration, when the
question of recuperation, convalescence, feeding, and the administration
of blood foods and tonics comes up.
It is not necessary to specify the diseases from which a child may
suffer and recover, in an anemic condition. Any disease may leave a
child with temporarily poor blood. The conditions which most frequently
produce anemia in childhood are improper feeding and unhealthy
surroundings. It is not fully appreciated how seriously these conditions
can affect the health of growing children. There is one condition that
every mother should be warned against, namely, the possibility of unduly
prolonging breast-feeding. Children should be weaned at the end of the
tenth month. By prolonging the breast-feeding a mother can undermine the
vitality and strength of her baby and so impoverish its blood as to
invite disease. A bottle-fed baby should be put upon a mixed diet at the
same time. To continue feeding a child exclusively on milk for a year
or two after weaning, simply because "it will not take anything else,"
is criminal. Any woman guilty of such stupidity should never have become
a mother. Once again it must be emphasized that every child must have an
abundance of fresh air, must not be confined in close, hot, unsanitary
rooms, and must have a daily, satisfactory movement of the bowels to be
a healthy child with good blood in its body.
Symptoms.--Children suffering from poor blood are flabby, constipated,
hungry, weak specimens of childhood. They are under weight, complain of
headache, pains, disturbed sleep, are nervous and irritable. They tir
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