The Eugenic Marriage, Volume 4 (of 4): A Personal Guide to the New Science of Better Living and Better BabiesHague, W. Grant (William Grant)
Science
The Eugenic Marriage, Volume 4 (of 4): A Personal Guide to the New Science of Better Living and Better Babies
Hague, W. Grant (William Grant)
Eugenics; Hygiene; Marriage
Earache.--When a child complains of earache its ear should be
examined. In nearly every case of earache it is necessary to treat the
throat, as this is, as a rule, the seat of the trouble. An antiseptic
gargle of equal parts of Borolyptol and warm water is an excellent
mixture. It should be used freely every two hours. Children suffering
from earache should be kept indoors. If the examination should show that
it is not necessary to lance the ear drum, some local measure may be
adopted to allay the pain. Putting the child in bed with the head
resting on a hot-water bottle may be all that will be necessary. The
following procedure may be carried out, but only after a physician has
made an examination and according to his directions: A hot water douche,
given by means of a douche bag, is quite effective. The water should be
110 deg. F.; the bag should be held about two feet above the level of the
child's head, and the irrigating point should not be pushed into the
ear, but held so that the water will find its own way into the ear.
When the earache does not respond to the above methods the ear should be
closely watched and examined at intervals so that it may be opened at
the right moment. This is very essential because, if it is neglected,
the pus may find its way into the mastoid cells and set up the dangerous
disease, mastoiditis. This disease may cause abscess of the brain and
death. The moment a child develops fever in the course of an earache the
ear should be examined and opened at once, if found necessary.
Inflammation of the Ear. Acute Otitis.--Inflammation of the ear seldom
occurs in childhood, unless as a complication, or as a result of some
infectious disease. Any disease which affects the throat in any way may
be the cause of the inflammation of the ear. Such diseases are, "cold in
the head," tonsilitis, grippe, "sore throat," or pharyngitis, measles,
scarlet fever. It is much more common in children than in adults. The
younger the child, the more liable it is to develop ear trouble when
suffering from any of the above diseases. The presence of adenoids
favors the development of ear complications.
Symptoms.--There is one symptom present in all cases of inflammation
of the ear; that is, fever. Pain may or may not be present; it is
present in a majority of the cases. Children with inflammation of the
ear are exceedingly restless and do not sleep long at a time nor do they
sleep soundly.
Treatment.--The treatment is to open the drum membrane, at the right
time, which of course will always be done by a physician who has had
some experience in this work.
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