given
to which skimmed milk may be added: later add the ordinary milk. If it
is well digested and does not cause any return of the diarrhea, the
quantity of milk can be slowly increased until the former feedings are
resumed. It is often of very great advantage to boil the milk for some
time. Peptonized milk is safe and can be used in bottle-fed infants
after diarrhea. In older children, meat, broths, eggs, boiled milk, and
dry toast bread may be used sparingly for some time. Cereals,
vegetables, fruits, should be withheld for a considerable time and
watched carefully when resumed. Kumyss, buttermilk, matzoon, bacillac,
and other fermented milks are better borne than plain milk. All of
these children need rest, fresh air, change of air, frequent bathing,
and tonics, as an attack of this kind leaves them depressed, weak,
languid, and anemic.
SUMMARY:--
1st. When a child complains of sharp, colicky, severe pains in the
abdomen, around navel, which are shortly followed by foul, sour, frothy
diarrhea,--greenish in color, it has acute intestinal indigestion.
2nd. Every mother should know that a green stool means danger. She
should know to give at once a cathartic,--castor oil is good, but give a
good large dose--then stop all food for twenty-four hours. If she learns
this lesson she will have time to wait for the doctor; meantime, she may
have saved her child's life.
CHILDREN WITH WHOM MILK DOES NOT AGREE
Contrary to the general belief, there are quite a large number of
children in whom milk seems to act as a poison. These children are not
necessarily constipated. They suffer, however, from a slow, continuous
intestinal toxemia or poison. The symptoms of this condition are
headache, disorders of speech, habitual sleep-talking, sleep-walking,
and general nervous irritability without cause: they are listless,
languid, and constantly tired. They may be bright in the morning and
sleepy in the afternoon. They are irritable and cross and touchy.
Treatment.--Milk must be wholly discontinued. Eggs must be restricted
to one every second day, and meat but once daily. The use of green
vegetables is particularly suitable and should be given daily. Cereals
and fruit also are good. Malted milk, kumyss, or matzoon may be given in
place of milk. If constipation is present, rhubarb and soda mixture is
an excellent laxative in these cases. A tonic should be prescribed for
all these children.
DYSENTERY--ENTERITIS--ENTERO-C
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