The Care and Feeding of Children Part 22

The entire spine is supported, and no undue pressure is made upon the chest or abdomen, as often happens if the baby is grasped around the body or under the arms.

_How should a child old enough to run about be lifted?_

Always by placing the hands under the child's arms, and never by the wrists.

_What injury may be inflicted by lifting the child by the wrists or hands?_

Often serious injury is done to the elbow or shoulder joints.

THE TEMPERATURE

_What is the normal temperature of an infant?_

The normal temperature varies more than in adults. In the r.e.c.t.u.m it usually fluctuates between 98 and 99.5 F.; a rectal temperature of 97.5 F. or of 100.5 F. is of no importance whatever unless it continues.

_Where should the temperature of infants and young children be taken?_

The r.e.c.t.u.m is altogether the best place, and next to this the groin.

The rectal temperature is from half a degree to a degree higher than that in the groin.

_How long should the thermometer be left in place to take the temperature?_

Two minutes in the r.e.c.t.u.m, and five minutes in the groin.

_Is the temperature of a young child a good guide as to the severity of its symptoms in illness?_

As a rule it is. A temperature of 100 to 102 F. commonly means a mild illness, and one of 104 F. or over a serious one. The duration of the fever is, however, even more important than the height of the temperature. It should be remembered that in all young children slight causes often produce a high temperature which lasts for a few hours; one should not therefore be unduly alarmed unless the temperature continues high, or is accompanied by other important signs of illness.

_Is not a high temperature a more serious symptom in a young child than in an adult?_

The opposite is rather the case. Young children are extremely sensitive to conditions which produce fever, and the thermometer often gives an exaggerated idea of the severity of the symptoms. A cause which in an adult might produce a temperature of 102 F. or 103 F., in a young child would very likely be accompanied by a temperature of 104 or 105 F.

NERVOUSNESS

_What are the princ.i.p.al causes of excessive nervousness in infants and young children, and what can be done to prevent this?_

The most important cause is the delicate structure of the brain at this time, and its rapid growth. It grows as much during the first year as during all the rest of life. This requires quiet and peaceful surroundings. Infants who are naturally nervous should be left much alone, should see but few people, should be played with very little, and should never be quieted with soothing sirups or the "pacifier."

_At what age may playing with babies be begun?_

Babies under six months old should never be played with; and the less of it at any time the better for the infant.

_What harm is done by playing with very young babies?_

They are made nervous and irritable, sleep badly and suffer from indigestion and in many other respects.

_When may young children be played with?_

If at all, in the morning, or after the midday nap; but never just before bedtime.

TOYS

_What points should guide one in selecting toys and playthings for an infant?_

The instinct in a baby to put everything into the mouth is so strong that nothing should be given that cannot be safely treated in this way. Hence one should choose things which are smooth, those which can be easily washed, and those which cannot be swallowed.

One should avoid (1) toys with sharp points or corners; (2) those with loose parts that might be detached or broken off and swallowed; (3) small objects which might be swallowed or pushed into the nose or ear, such as coins, marbles, and safety-pins, also beads and b.u.t.tons unless strung upon a stout cord; (4) painted toys; (5) those covered with hair or wool. Infants have often been severely injured by swallowing what they have pulled off from their small toy animals.

_What points are to be considered in selecting the toys and playthings of a child over two years old?_

It should be remembered that toys are not merely a source of amus.e.m.e.nt, but that they have an educational value as well. Those are therefore to be preferred the use of which develops the child's imagination, and with which he can be taught to amuse himself. For boys nothing can surpa.s.s blocks, toy soldiers, b.a.l.l.s, engines, and cars; and for girls, dolls and housekeeping sets. The complicated mechanical toys now so much in vogue give only a momentary pleasure, and as soon as the wonder at their operation has worn off, they have lost interest for the child except that which he gets in breaking them to see how the thing worked.

_What important things can be taught children with their toys and how may this be done?_

The imagination may be developed, and children may be trained to habits of neatness, order and regularity and to concentration of mind.

To this end toys should be kept in an orderly way upon a shelf in the nursery or in a closet, never piled in a miscellaneous heap in the corner of the room. Children should select their toys and play with one thing at a time, which they should be taught to put away in its place before another is given. They should never be allowed to have a dozen things strewn about the room at one time, with none of which they are occupied.

KISSING

_Are there any valid objections to kissing infants?_

There are many serious objections. Tuberculosis, diphtheria, and many other grave diseases may be communicated in this way. The kissing of infants upon the mouth by other children, by nurses, or by people generally, should under no circ.u.mstances be permitted. Infants should be kissed, if at all, upon the cheek or forehead, but the less even of this the better.

CONVULSIONS

_What should be done for a child in convulsions before a doctor arrives?_

Keep the child perfectly quiet with ice at the head, put the feet in a mustard bath, and roll the entire body in large towels which have been dipped in mustard water (two heaping tablespoonfuls of mustard to one quart of tepid water), and have plenty of hot water and a bath tub at hand, so that the doctor can give a hot bath if he thinks it advisable.

_When is a hot bath useful?_

If the convulsions have continued until the pulse is weak, the face very pale, the nails and lips blue, and the feet and hands cold, the hot bath will be useful by bringing blood to the surface and relieving the heart, lungs, and brain.

_How should the bath be given?_

The temperature should not be over 106 F.; this should always be tested by a thermometer if one can be obtained. Without this precaution, in the excitement of the moment, infants have frequently been put into baths so hot that serious and even fatal burns have been produced. If no thermometer is available the nurse may plunge her arm to the elbow into the water. It should feel warm, but not so hot as to be at all uncomfortable. One half a teacupful of powdered mustard added to the bath often adds to its efficacy.

FOREIGN BODIES

_What should be done if a foreign body has been swallowed?_

First, examine the throat with the finger to see if it has lodged there, and if so remove it. If it has pa.s.sed from the throat it has usually gone into the stomach.