INDIGESTION IN OLDER CHILDREN.

Different ways in which indigestion shows itself in children?  First as an acute attack which lasts for a few days only; second, as chronic disturbances which may last for weeks and months.

Which is the most serious?  Chronic indigestion, for it often goes on for months and even years unchecked, because it is not recognized.

The symptoms of acute indigestion?  Vomiting, pain, diarrhea of undigested food, often fever and prostration.

What are the common causes?  Over eating or indulging in improper food or too hearty eating when very tired.

Is it sometimes the forerunner of some acute general sickness?  Yes.

How shall I treat acute indigestion?  Give castor oil to clean out all undigested food from the bowels.  Vomiting usually frees the stomach of food; stop food for from twelve to thirty-six hours, only boiled water being allowed.  Let the stomach rest.

Can I then begin with the former diet?  No, give at first only broth gruel, very much diluted milk or whey.  Increase the diet slowly as the appetite and digestion improve, but this should consume a week or ten days in most cases before the full diet is resumed.

Give the symptoms of chronic indigestion (dyspepsia) in children?  Disturbed sleep, tired, grinding teeth, fretfulness, loss of weight and flesh, gas in the stomach and bowels, pain in the bowels, bloated bowels, constipation or loose bowels with mucus in the stools, foul breath, coated tongue, poor appetite, capricious appetite.  Some may think worms are present.

Common causes of chronic constipation?  Bad system of feeding, prolonged use of improper food or improper methods of feeding, such as coaxing the child to eat, rapid eating, eating between meals, child selects his own food and lives largely upon one article of diet; indulgence in sweets, desserts, pies, etc.  Improperly cooked foods especially oatmeal, and vegetables and eating sour or stale fruits.  Exclude articles of diet which are known to be hard for children to digest.

How shall chronic indigestion be treated?  Remove all causes such as bad foods, habits, etc.

Is it curable?  In most cases, but the rules for feeding must be carefully followed for a long period.  Medicine will not cure such cases unless the proper food is given in a proper way.  That is better than medicine.

[All about baby 603]

How long must this proper feeding continue?  For months, and with many children for two or three years.

Is medicine of any use?  It will relieve the symptoms, but the main thing is proper feeding.

SLEEP.

Should a baby sleep with anyone?  No, young infants have been smothered by their mothers.  It is also a frequent temptation to nursing at night, and this is injurious to both mother and child.