North American Medical and Surgical Journal, Vol. 2, No. 3, July, 1826Various
History
North American Medical and Surgical Journal, Vol. 2, No. 3, July, 1826
Various
Medicine -- Periodicals
Thus treated, instead of the feeble and sickly appearance before
mentioned, he will present a lively countenance, with all that activity
of motion, and enjoyment of existence, which are natural to his age, and
afford the surest criterion of vigorous health. Experience has fully
convinced me of the great importance of attention to the lodging of
children, as a prophylactic measure; and this renders me desirous of
impressing upon the profession generally, the truth of my own
convictions on the subject.
With the same design of obviating the injurious effects of a high
temperature upon the infantile system, I advise frequent ablutions with
cool water, and its free employment as a beverage. Infants, unable to
make their wants known, often suffer exceedingly from the inability of
their attendants to understand them. During the heat of summer, the
increased evaporation from their surface is necessarily productive of
increased thirst, which, if unsatisfied, renders them uneasy and
restless. To quiet them, the breast or bottle is offered. Aliment is
thus given, where drink only was required; and the stomach, overloaded
and oppressed, is apt to become irritable, and is thus brought into a
condition most favourable to the occurrence of cholera. By attention to
the peculiar language of infants, expressed not by words, but by signs,
I have often been able to detect their wants; and, in many instances,
have afforded the most decided relief, by simply giving them a little
cool water for drink. From the dread which some individuals have for
cool air and cold water, it would seem that they were considered rather
as destructive poisons than as absolute necessaries. I have no fear of
either, when judiciously employed; and as prophylactics in cholera, I do
not think their place can be supplied.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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