Notice that I say _keeping him well_. There was a time when we looked upon the scourge, variously known as “summer complaint,” “summer diarrhea” and “cholera infantum” as a seasonal visitation that was to be accepted with resignation. But happily those dark days are past, for though the condition itself is a complicated one, the one big factor in its causation was dirty milk—milk that was infected or spoiled or both—given to a baby whose forces were lowered by the heat. It is perfectly clear, then, isn’t it, that a baby is no more likely to be ill during the summer than at any other time, if he is given proper care, the kind of care that we have been going over in detail? Each of these details is important but just bear in mind that during warm weather it is particularly urgent to: 1. Feed the baby properly. 2. Keep him clean. 3. Keep him cool. 4. Keep him quiet. The end and aim of these precautions is to prevent disturbance of the baby’s digestion. As babies suffer from the heat more than adults do and are often excessively irritated and exhausted on warm days, these results of the heat are sometimes enough to upset his digestion unless he is safeguarded with greatest care. It is much the same as with grown people, who often find that their digestions are upset solely by their being tired or excited. The baby should have maternal nursing if possible, during the summer, for breast-fed babies fall victim to summer complaint much less frequently than de bottle babies. Quite evidently, then, you should regulate your own life with even more care than usual—for the baby’s sake. He should be fed with absolute regularity, and as a rule, no matter what the nature of his food, it should be reduced one quarter to one third in amount when the days are very hot, and he should have an increased amount of cool, boiled water to drink. His weight may increase only slightly, or even stand still for a short time, as a result of his decreased food, but you need not worry about this if he keeps well, for the important thing is to avoid digestive disturbances. It is just the same as with grown people who are advised to eat less and lighter food than usual, while the weather is very warm, in order to keep well. Cleanliness, as at other times, applies to the baby’s food, clothing and surroundings. Many doctors think it safer to have all milk boiled during the summer, and of course expect scrupulous cleanliness in its preparation and administration. The baby’s soiled napkins should be placed immediately in a covered receptacle containing water, or a disinfecting solution and not left for even a moment where they may be reached by flies. They should be washed, boiled and dried in the open air and sunshine as promptly as possible.