On Infantilism from Chronic Intestinal Infection; Characterized by the Overgrowth and Persistence of Flora of the Nursling Period. a Study of the Clin (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1908. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... will prove useful in the handling of this not very uncommon condition, by those whose opportunities for study have been less good than mine. I shall arrange what I have to say under the following headings: General Hygienic Measures. Dietetic Measures. Pharmacological Measures. General Hygtenic Measures In the care of the subjects of infantilism the hygiene of environment is of much importance in reinforcing the effects of more specific therapeutic measures. Two environmental requirements stand out sharply and require the consideration of the physician; first, a temperate, equable and fairly sunny climate, and, secondly, soothing human surroundings and limited companionship. In all marked states of infantilism the circulation is impaired and the loss of animal heat is a severe tax to the organism if there be prolonged exposure to cold. In Case II the cold months of winter were spent in a mild climate, which made it possible to be out of doors a large part of the day without excessive radiation of heat, and there is good reason to think this precaution was a material help in paving the way for the subsequent improvement in nutrition. In Case I it was impracticable to send the child to a warm climate in winter, and the exposure to the winter's cold in New York seemed clearly an obstacle to quick improvement in nutrition. Except on the most inclement days the child should be out of doors for a time despite the drain on animal heat, for the alternative of remaining indoors is still more objectionable. It is especially in the summer months that these children tend to do badly. This is probably attributable mainly to the difficulty in securing food sufficiently free from objectionable bacteria during the hot months, but is doubtless due in part to the prostrating effec...